Swampscott may have a new pier at Fisherman’s Beach by the end of the year. 

The Conservation Commission met on Tuesday to discuss the notice of intent to rebuild the pier. This meeting followed prior conversations within the commission and other groups, like the Harbor and Waterfront Advisory Committee, that had centered on the deteriorating pilings and the need to protect the eelgrass in the harbor.

“Basically the work is to replace the pier in kind, exactly where they were so it’s not like they’re disturbing more grass beds,” Chair Toni Bandrowicz said, adding a condition for a barge to not be tethered to the ground to not further “scour where there is eelgrass.”

While the order of conditions can remain valid for three years, Marzie Galazka, the town’s director of community and economic development, said the contractor could “mobilize as early as September or October.”

Eelgrass grows from May to September, Galazka said.

Last year, Town Meeting allocated $150,000 for pier improvements, according to Galazka. C. White Marine, the only bidder on the repairs, submitted a proposal of $195,750.

While none of the repairs are “real critical,” according to Select Board Member Danielle Leonard, upgrading the pier is considered a key step in ensuring the historic Swampscott Fish House can continue to operate at its current location.

Separately, there is an ongoing consideration for a new, elevated pier. This is estimated to cost upward of $10 million, however. In 2024, local fishermen and residents voiced concerns that such a large-scale project was not a top priority.

Prior to the funding efforts, the town had participated in an eelgrass study from 2019 to 2023, which identified Swampscott as one of the largest natural eelgrass beds in the region. A 2023 feasibility study found that eelgrass protection was a key consideration in the pier repairs, particularly in efforts to maintain and stabilize marine ecosystems.

“We had comments from the Department of Marine Fisheries regarding concerns that the eelgrass is protected,” Bandrowicz said, adding that she’s had conversations with the DMF as well as EPA noting that if the “special conditions were put in, it would be okay.”

Approval from the DMF is not required to move forward with the project.

Bandrowicz said C. White Marine estimated it would take six to eight weeks to obtain the materials needed for the repairs.

“Most people are starting to close up their boats between September 15 and October 5 or 10, roughly,” said Select Board Member Ted Dooley, who previously chaired the Harbor and Waterfront Advisory Committee. “I don’t think anybody’s going to have an issue with interrupting launching services.”

Dooley did offer to reach out to the fishermen to confirm as well. 

Tim Milliken, the town’s land use and development planner, will write out the order of conditions for the construction to move forward.