The Waitsfield Select Board approved increased engineering costs for the dam at its October 13 meeting. The dam at the north end of the pond failed this spring after a large sinkhole developed in the earthen dam as a result of a leak in the outtake pipe running from the pond through the dam and into the wetlands downstream.
The dam is 30 years old. The town accepted ownership of the dam in 1990 and performed no maintenance on it since then. When the sinkhole developed, the water level downstream of the dam was lowered and downstream beaver dams were removed -- without state permission -- earning the town a reprimand (and possibly a fine) from the state for illegal discharge into state wetlands.
ENGINEER THE REPAIR
The state required the town to hire an engineer to develop a plan for remediating the wetland and dealing with the pond/dam issue and the town hired Sean Patendaude of Weston and Sampson in Waterbury to undertake the process. The town also contracted with the firm to engineer the repair of the dam for $9,355. Cost estimates for the actual repair range from $30,000 to $70,000.
At this week's meeting with Patenaude, the board discussed how and whether to engineer and rebuild a beaver-proof dam. Engineering it to beaver-proof specs will cost more, and the board did approve paying the engineering firm an additional $1,600 to that end. The board considered whether it could engineer and build a non-beaver-proof dam and simply remove beavers, should they build dams downstream of the dam. Town Administrator Valerie Capels reminded the board that the town does not own and control the land downstream of the dam where the beavers previously built dams and may not, in the future, have the authority to remove the beavers.
SHOULD BE DREDGED
The board also discussed, but did not take action on, whether the pond should be dredged when the dam in replaced.
At the same meeting, the board heard a request from Bill and Jenn Curley, owners of Inverness Ski Shop. Their septic system has failed and they wanted to know if the town could help with funding to replace it as they allow the public to use their restroom throughout the year and during the Saturday Farmers' Market, in particular. The Curley's wanted to know if the town's recreation, restroom and conservation fund could be tapped to help with their project. The board explained that that fund is a capital reserve fund created and funded for municipal projects, but acknowledged a need for a public restroom in Irasville.
ADDITIONAL $5,000
The board also reviewed a proposed contract amendment from Phelps Engineering which is working with the town to develop its gravel pit on a 76-acre parcel of land north of the village. Phelps proposed an additional $5,000, which the board discussed but took no action on.
In other business the select board discussed completion and mailing of over 150 connection agreements for the town's proposed municipal water project. Those agreements have been sent to property owners in the proposed service area for the water project. Town voters will cast ballots, for the third time, on the project on November 4.
The board hopes to have forms returned prior to the November 4 vote.
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