Once the hub of Mattapoisett’s shipping industry, the town’s historic wharfs are badly in need of repair, says Town Administrator Mike Gagne.

Gagne said the stones in the wharves have become loose over time, the iron drilled into them has deteriorated and past repairs were done with the wrong materials.

“The biggest area of concern is Brownell Wharf,” said Gagne. “Some of the irons have rotted in the middle and you have major daggers. God forbid anybody walk into that with a bare foot.”

On more than one occasion, sink holes have opened on the wharves and major weather events could further harm them, said Gagne.

“The wharves aren’t going to cave in tomorrow, but we’ve been very fortunate that we haven’t had significant tropical events,” said Selectmen Chair Jordan Collyer.

Gagne has spoken with the Community Preservation Committee about utilizing their funding for the wharf project, and said he would like to bring it to a vote at Fall Town Meeting.

“They fall within the historic preservation category. This kind of work is a specialty project and we want to do it in proper period restoration,” said Gagne, who would like to bring in a blacksmith and mason to do some of the work.

Although Gagne did not have a budget for the repairs, Selectmen estimated that at least $250,000 would be needed for the multi-phase project.

“We have a solid structure to work with, but it’s going to take some time to restore it,” said Collyer.