Balancing the need to do the right thing for the environment with the need to do enough to preserve the icons of our historical and cultural past is not an easy task – as Warren voters know.
Warren voters will be asked to vote on a Town Meeting article next week that asks if the town should preserve the timber crib dam in the heart of the village and, if yes, should the townspeople set aside $3,000 a year to maintain that dam.
We heard and wanted to be persuaded by the voices that call for preserving an important icon in Warren’s history. We also understand the voices that call for the river and dam and bridges and village to be looked at holistically.
We hear, too, the very compelling science behind calls for removing the dam. That science speaks to the health of fish and aquatic biota, river health and public safety during flooding.
We are cognizant of the fact that ownership of the dam lies with the trust, leaving the town powerless to remove the dam and the trust unable to act unless Warren takes ownership of the dam, which the select board has declined to do.
The state of Vermont has been resolute in its stance that the dam cannot be rebuilt, it should be removed and it is bad for the river’s health. Given that stance by the state, it makes one wonder what would be the point of a successful yes vote at Town Meeting next week.
Even if voters agree the dam should be maintained and even if they appropriate funds to do so, the state will not allow the dam to be rebuilt.
If the town won’t accept ownership of the dam and the state won’t allow fixing it, that leaves the current trust to continue fixing it one board at a time – if that is even allowed under current statute and there is no clear indication that it would be.
And that ignores the fact that to do nothing and let the dam deteriorate or repair it one board at a time is doing the wrong thing for the river. Harming the river for the sake of history is not wise decision making.
Sentimentality is no reason to opt against the very clear science supporting removal of the dam for the sake of the river.
