Right now the danger of the earthen dam failing has been reduced by dewatering the pond and lowering the water in the pond downstream of the town pond. But it's only a calm before the storm, or until a big storm. Heavy rains could refill the pond and recreate the hydrostatic pressure on the dam.
That means the town must act quickly but can't act hastily. There are a lot of things to consider. Irasville is slated for new zoning that increases density -- and stormwater -- in that area.
The proposed zoning also creates an arts district near the pond. The pond may be part of a permitted stormwater runoff plan and may need to be rebuilt as is.
If that part of Irasville does become the location of new growth, a new village center and increased housing, the pond may be necessary to accommodate increased stormwater runoff for the new development.
The pond may not be ideal for fire protection, but it does provide a significant source of water should water be needed. To argue that it won't be a fire protection resource if and when Waitsfield has a municipal water system is shortsighted and presumes the proposed water project will pass when it comes up for a revote on June 10.
The town select board is right to raise questions about the future expense of the pond and the dam and wise to ask whether this question should be taken to the voters, if that can be done quickly enough. But this is not just a financial decision; it needs to be made with an eye to the future vision of the town, specifically for that area.
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