Richardson Pond Dam

November 28, 2022 (Select Board Meeting)

Richardson Pond Dam (Video: 18 min.)

  1. At the September 12, 2022 meeting, the Select Board discussed the need for funding the Richardson Pond Dam project.  At that time, the Conservation Commission and Select Board Chairs met to discuss a possible cost share between the Conservation Fund and a separate warrant article.  The Conservation Commission appropriated up to $50,000 to fund the engineering of the dam reconstruction.  The first objective of this ongoing engineering scope is to define an engineer’s cost estimate.
  2. Recently, the Planning Board discussed the project during finalization of the Capital Improvements Program (CIP).  The Planning Board discussed the funding source and potential removal of the dam.  Dam removal was reviewed as an option by the conceptual design engineer (SLR) and at the stakeholder meeting (May 5, 2022).  The following was in the dam assessment engineering report
    1. Removal of the Dam: This approach will result in elimination of the dam from a regulatory perspective and will remove long term potential liabilities and maintenance costs. However, removal of the dam would result in the elimination of Richardson Pond, reverting back to a natural stream environment such as prior to original construction of the dam. SLR understands that this approach is not viable since the pond and surrounding areas represent conservation areas that are desired to be maintained in their current condition. Additionally, the permitting for dam removal is more onerous than the permits required for modifications, and the cost for removal would be greater than the proposed modifications.
  3. The stakeholders discussed the dam removal option and agreed that before considering the option further, a comprehensive ecological study would be required in order to make an informed decision regarding the environmental impacts of removal.  SLR advised that the removal costs would be as much or more and that if the dam was reconstructed as non-jurisdictional, the ongoing maintenance costs would be reduced (compared to a jurisdictional dam).  The stakeholders recommended proceeding with dam reconstruction.
  4. The Select Board is asked to consider a Richardson Pond Dam Reconstruction warrant article or other topics related to the Richardson Pond Dam.