Agreement reached on Wilton dam reply

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

WILTON – The Board of Selectmen and Water Commissioners have agreed on a response to the state Dam Bureau concerning the dam at the old reservoir, which is considered in need of repair.

However, Water Commissioner Jim Tuttle did not sign the final version because he still did not totally agree with it. A reply to the Dam Bureau’s “letter of deficiency” was required by the end of the year in order to avoid sanctions, and the letter will be mailed this week. The Dam Bureau letter noted cracks in the dam, which was built in 1903 as part of the town’s original water system, several leaks and deterioration of the cement structure. It also recommend the clearing the trees and brush in the area around the dam and planting a ground cover.

As a short-term solution, the town’s letter states, the dam will be left open, it will be inspected at least weekly and a log kept, and an article will be placed on the town warrant in March asking voters to appropriate up to $10,000 to hire a consultant to evaluate the dam and make recommendations.

The voters can’t be asked whether they want to repair the dam or remove it until they have figures, Selectman Richard Rockwood said. And from what he has learned, he added, “it may be cheaper to repair it.”

If it is necessary, Rockwood agreed, the town could hold a special town meeting once the costs are known.

Steve Paro, whose house is the only one directly involved should there be a dam failure on Mill Brook, attended the selectmen’s meeting Monday night and asked about being on a list of people to be informed should there be a problem. He was assured that he was, or soon would be.

The Department of Environmental Services, which includes the Dam Bureau, has set a date of April 1 for resolution. “We’ll get back to them right after town meeting,” Rockwood said.

In the meantime, Tuttle and Commissioner Charlie McGettigan said, the offending trees will be removed from the area of the dam as required by the inspector.