Clarksburg Looks For Dam Removal Alternatives
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That's just one of the backup plans if the bids being solicited for its removal come in too high.
Work on the dam across the North Branch of the Hoosic River had been expected to start last month but the private nonprofits working to create a free-flowing river came up $128,000 short of the estimated $500,000 still needed. Failure to start this grant cycle also puts another $86,000 in matching grants at risk.
The Selectmen at their last meeting considered asking voters to make up the difference if the costs came in above what's already been raised. They cited the dangers of flooding to nearby homes and the loss of more than 100 jobs at Cascade School Supplies, which took possession of the dam when it bought the former Strong-Hewat Woolen Mill.
Town Administrator Michael Canales said discussions with townspeople after that meeting led him to look into other options. One is joining the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission's hazard mitigation plan. The BRPC is working with some 20 municipalities to create a five-year plan to identify and prepare plans for hazards including flooding (Adams is a member); the cost would be $1,000 from the engineering funds set aside for the dam.
Canales said the plan would cover more than the dam and put the town in line for federal funding — but not until 2012. "We might as well jump in on it." The board agreed and voted to expend $1,000 from the account to join the plan.
Or, the U.S. Department of Defense might be interested in using the old dam as a training exercise for its military engineering units, he said. "You mean blow it up?" asked Selectman Carl McKinney.
"Well, for training," responded Canales. "Those are sort of the backup plans if we're not able to tear down the dam using money we've raised to this point."
Contractors will do a walk-around of the dam on Thursday and bids will be due by Sept. 13. Canales said he was encouraged by news that an eastern dam had cost 20 percent less to remove than expected.
In any case, the dam has to be repaired or removed. "The biggest hazard now is the rapid growth of trees and other stuff in the middle of the stream, which is going to create more of a bound-up behind the dam and could raise it even higher back there," said Canales. "... If those things take root and start developing full-fledged islands out there that whole river could change its course."
The brief Selectmen's meeting also covered the STRAP (Small Town Road Assistance Program) grant voters authorized the town officials to apply for at the last town meeting. Canales said he'd met with the state officials and provided them with photos and other documentation to display the need for road work. Some 21 communities are being reviewed for the STRAP and another road grant.
"We will know by the end of September, which fits in the time frame we were looking at," said Canales. "They liked one thing about our application is we're ready to go. ... It was a good meeting and I think we're definitely in the running for it."
Engineering work is also proceeding on the East Road bridge, the plans for which had to updated when it was discovered the upper footing foundation was deteriorating. The Selectmen joked that should all the work — dam, bridge and roads — begin next spring, the town would be in the same situation North Adams has been in this year with multiple road projects. That, they said, would be a good thing.
Public Hearing Continued
The only other action taken by the Selectmen was the continuation of a public hearing for a permit for H.A. George and Sons Fuel to install new propane gas tanks and hook ups to several buildings next to its property on River Road. The Selectmen had approved the permit two weeks ago with the adamant condition that H.A. George not hook up M&G Metal Inc.
The board had pegged its refusal for M&G Metal on a state law adopted by the town that gave it the authority to refuse any permits to a property owner in arrears with fees or taxes. There's some $20,000 in back taxes and sewer fees connected to the building in which M&G operates. A representative for M&G who attended the last public hearing insisted that M&G did not own the building nor did he know who did.
The hearing was continued to ensure the board had acted properly. Town counsel determined that the board could not put that condition on the permit because the applicant was H.A. George, not M&G Metal. The board voted to amend the permit to remove the condition.
The town is currently in the process of taking the building at 161 River Road through Land Court.
