Ross Kessler, a public access coordinator for the state Division of Marine Fisheries proposed to selectmen Tuesday a fishing pier and a paved parking lot to the Dummy Bridge area in Onset. He said the state would pay for it too.

Kessler said his job is locate places in Massachusetts and use state funds to increase public access to fishing, specifically salt water fishing.

"That area is a little tired. It could use a little bit of upgrading," Kessler said of the beach and bridge.

He said he learned there is a lot of spring and fall fishing there and the beach is used as a "car top launch" for people to put their non-motorized vessels into the water, such as kayaks, rowboats and canoes.

He said he would like to see a paved parking lot, the car launching area confined so as to leave a small footprint on the area, and a fishing pier with a gravel walkway to it.

He also made sure to note that none of his ideas "are set in stone."

Wareham Harbormaster Garry Buckminster said the project presents a great opportunity to enhance a heavily used area.

“I think it's prime time to be able to look at this area, especially when the funds are coming in through the state and they're looking at Wareham. It's a win-win for us,” Buckminster said.

Kessler said the only thing required from the town would be day to day upkeep. The state pays for the project and any future upgrades.

Kessler also said the town can charge for use of the facilities but can't make money on it, they could use the money for trash clean-up or general upkeep.

Selectman Alan Slavin asked if the state would be able to sell saltwater fishing licenses at the pier, because tourists might not realize the federal government requires them for all saltwater fishing.

Kessler said the state doesn't provide that service but licenses are easily obtainable online or by the phone and signs are put up at most public access points explaining how to get one. He said even downloading the license to one's phone would suffice in most cases.

Kessler said his department would like to get Wareham on their list of projects because these things tend to take years.

When a resident asked to be heard on the matter, Selectman Peter Teitelbaum said it wasn't a public hearing, just the beginning of the process if the proposal were to move forward.

He said a more formal public hearing on the matter would go before the Conservation Committee if and when the project goes that far.

"We're not a land use board, we try to keep out of the land use issues, they are a land use board and that's what they hear," he said.