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October 23. 2012 11:16PM
Adams Pond Dam vote doesn't put end to debate
DERRY — Last week’s vote by the Town Council hasn’t stopped some residents from calling for the town to try to do something to save the Adams Pond Dam.
At an Oct. 16 meeting, the council voted 3-3 to accept a deed transfer for the dam from owner Jean Gagnon. The tie vote effectively defeated the deed transfer.
The councilors who voted against the deed transfer noted the potential cost of the town repairing the dam. Although there were no comprehensive studies tied to the cost, Public Works Director Mike Fowler stated the repairs could cost about $200,000.
During the public hearing process on the deed transfer, a number of residents also cited the potential cost as a reason why they were against the town taking control of the three-quarter acre property.
However, there has been a small, vocal group of citizens who still believe the town should take action to save the dam and the pond.
Town historian Rick Holmes has expounded on the roll the pond and the dam has played in the history of the region, a sentiment shared by Derry resident Leslie Seaboyer.
“A town and its residents are judged by how they treat their residents, the memory of residents past, and present and future generations and also how the town treats its history and the historical landmarks of the town,” Seaboyer stated. “In a time when our children are being drawn ever deeper into the cyberworld as reality and our agrarian roots are being forever torn from the fabric of our collective consciousness in favor of artificial and digital realities, it is imperative that we as a community recognize the value of preserving and conserving our past not as some digital image, but as a real, palpable location, building, or area.”
Seaboyer stated that she is urging the town to conserve the dam and the pond. Fowler has stated that if the dam is removed, Adams Pond could likely revert to its natural stream state.
The issue came to a head after Gagnon was notified by the state’s dam bureau that the dam must be repaired or removed by 2014 because of structural damage to the dam.
Gagnon has stated that he has no plans to repair the dam and will remove it. Town officials worked with Gagnon over the course of the year on a proposal to transfer the deed for the dam to the town.
According to Assistant Town Administrator Larry Budreau, the defeat of the deed transfer means it will remain Gagnon’s property.
Adam Swift may be reached at aswift@newstote.com.
At an Oct. 16 meeting, the council voted 3-3 to accept a deed transfer for the dam from owner Jean Gagnon. The tie vote effectively defeated the deed transfer.
The councilors who voted against the deed transfer noted the potential cost of the town repairing the dam. Although there were no comprehensive studies tied to the cost, Public Works Director Mike Fowler stated the repairs could cost about $200,000.
During the public hearing process on the deed transfer, a number of residents also cited the potential cost as a reason why they were against the town taking control of the three-quarter acre property.
However, there has been a small, vocal group of citizens who still believe the town should take action to save the dam and the pond.
Town historian Rick Holmes has expounded on the roll the pond and the dam has played in the history of the region, a sentiment shared by Derry resident Leslie Seaboyer.
“A town and its residents are judged by how they treat their residents, the memory of residents past, and present and future generations and also how the town treats its history and the historical landmarks of the town,” Seaboyer stated. “In a time when our children are being drawn ever deeper into the cyberworld as reality and our agrarian roots are being forever torn from the fabric of our collective consciousness in favor of artificial and digital realities, it is imperative that we as a community recognize the value of preserving and conserving our past not as some digital image, but as a real, palpable location, building, or area.”
Seaboyer stated that she is urging the town to conserve the dam and the pond. Fowler has stated that if the dam is removed, Adams Pond could likely revert to its natural stream state.
The issue came to a head after Gagnon was notified by the state’s dam bureau that the dam must be repaired or removed by 2014 because of structural damage to the dam.
Gagnon has stated that he has no plans to repair the dam and will remove it. Town officials worked with Gagnon over the course of the year on a proposal to transfer the deed for the dam to the town.
According to Assistant Town Administrator Larry Budreau, the defeat of the deed transfer means it will remain Gagnon’s property.
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Adam Swift may be reached at aswift@newstote.com.
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