Town to Honor Norm Siefert with Naming of Ferry Bldg.

Town Manager James McKenna announced this week that the dedication ceremony officially naming the new Town Harbor Terminal Building at the Winthrop public landing for Winthrop resident Norman Siefert will take place on Saturday, May 26, beginning at 10 a.m. at the landing.

“That is the time when Norm’s family can travel into town and get here for the dedication and we certainly wanted to take that into consideration in picking the date,” explained McKenna of the Memorial Day weekend timing of the event.

“As for dedicating the terminal in honor of Norman, that is based on the long history he has had in town, in being active with the waterfront and in particular with the development of the landing and all that has gone on there,” added McKenna. “I think it is a very fitting to honor him and all of his years of dedicated service to the town, and our waterfront, by naming that building after him.”

Siefert, who is also a World War II Navy veteran, was lauded by Winthrop veterans director Larry Holmes.

“Norm Siefert is a guy that has always been out there offering to help out,” said Holmes. “I remember when I was the DPW director and we were down at Ingleside Park trying to build a rink at 2 o’clock in the morning, Norm came down with a box of Joe for the guys on the crew, just to help them out. That’s the kind of guy he is. He’s a wonderful, selfless, man who has spent a lot of years just trying to make the town and our waterfront a better place.”

The proposal to dedicate the building in honor of Siefert was made by the Town Memorials Committee, and ratified by a vote of the Town Council last week.

“The dedication of the Harbor building in honor of Norm is certainly fitting,” said Council President Peter Gill. It was his idea to build the public landing. He went through the permitting process with the state and was party of the construction process. It’s because of his vision and fire that we have the public landing there today. Without the landing none of the rest of the development there would’ve been possible.” said Council President Peter Gill.

McKenna added that many people in town have credited Siefert’s influence and hard work in helping to create the momentum that eventually led to the proposal to develop the Town Pier and Terminal building.

“I can’t think of anybody more deserving to have that building named for him than Norm Siefert,” added Holmes. “He’s spent the last 70 years of his life dedicating his time and energy to the shore and our waterfront.

BHC to provide ferry services again

On a separate matter, but one related to the waterfront, Town Manager McKenna acknowledged this week that Boston Harbor Cruises has provided a responsive bid to the town’s request for a ferry service provider beginning at the end of this month.

“We are scheduled to meet with representatives of Boston Harbor Cruises this week and we hope that by next week we’ll be able to announce a ferry schedule and rates for the coming year,” said McKenna. “We’re hoping ton have them begin by Memorial Day.”