Clarksburg Sets Vote on Dam Spending
 Water flows over the Briggsville Dam in this file photo. The old controls for the dam will remain as historical markers. |
The town meeting will be asked to appropriate no more than $87,000 from the stablilization fund to match funds from dam owner Cascade School Supplies to complete the final funding for the project. The board has previously discussed the option of the town making up the balance.
The patchwork of governmental grants and private funding to take down the decrepit structure is short about $128,000 on the estimated costs. That's endangered several matching grants that are approaching their deadlines.
The Selectmen held a special meeting at noon on Friday to vote on the town meeting date and warrant in an effort to comply with grant time lines.
Chairwoman Debra LeFave said she is not a supporter of the proposal, adding, however, "it's not a matter of what I feel about it. It's up to the people to decide."
Town Administrator Michael Canales said the town is still pursuing several avenues of grant funding, including a federal grant of about $74,000 that could reduce the amounts needed from both the town and Cascade.
The school supply company bought the former Strong-Hewat Woolen Mill several years ago, along with the dam that once powered it. The company says it cannot afford the cost of removing the structure. The entire project has been tapped at about $700,000, some of which as already been expended on engineering studies.
The project had been expected to begin earlier this summer but couldn't go forward because of the funding shortfall. The dam has been declared a hazard by the state and it's causing a backup in silt that could cause flooding of nearby homes. It's not considered a viable power source and the nonprofit organizations involved in the demolition are hoping to create an unobstructed flow of the North Branch of the Hoosic River to restore wildlife habitats and fishing.
The matter will be discussed in full at the regular Wednesday meeting on Sept. 22 at 6:30 p.m. The meeting will be broadcast on NBCTV and Canales said a couple of representatives from state agencies involved in the project will be on hand.
Residents are urged to watch or attend the meeting.
