BRATTLEBORO — The Selectboard has allocated $219,000 to repair the Chestnut Hill Reservoir, making the dormant water supply comply with state regulations.
The funds cover repairs to the dam and gatehouse and installing an overflow pipe based on a report from engineering consulting firm DuBois & King.
The dam has been out of compliance with state regulations for over two years.
On April 20, board members voted 4–1 in favor of repairing the Chestnut Hill Reservoir.
“I can’t support this,” said Selectboard member Jesse Corum, predicting the project will drive up water rates. He said he has heard from people who can no longer afford to live in Brattleboro because taxes are too high.
“There’s always another penny. At some point, we’ve got to say stop,” he said.
“You wore me down. I’m tired of it [this issue]. Time to move on, get it over with and talk about issues serious to Brattleboro,” said Selectboard member Martha O’Connor, explaining why she would vote for the funding despite her heart not being in it.
The debate to sell the centenarian structure and town asset began in January when Public Works Director Steve Barrett presented DuBois & King’s report and repair options to the Selectboard.
Barrett supported the $219,000 option favored by the majority of Chestnut Hill residents, but Selectboard member Jesse Corum championed a plan sell the property, a strategy the board backed 3–2.
Town Meeting Representatives voted to keep the dam, sending the Selectboard back to the drawing board.
At the April 6 board meeting, Corum said he could not support the original $219,000 project. The Selectboard asked Barrett to see if the cost could come down.
Matt Melowski of DuBois & King, told the board that the $219,000 was a conservative estimate and could be cut.
He cautioned, however, the project contained multiple “unknowns” like the condition of the underground pipes to which a new overflow pipe would need to connect.
Corum made the motion to allocate $135,000 for the project instead, to fund DuBois & King’s least expensive suggestion: knocking a hole in the dam and draining the reservoir, leaving a dry hole.
“An empty hole in the ground is not a good idea,” said Selectboard Vice-Chair Dora Bouboulis. Chestnut Hill residents present echoed Bouboulis’ statement.
Selectboard Chair Dick DeGrey said he understood Corum’s concerns but said members of the town and neighborhood worked together to find a solution to the Chestnut Hill Reservoir problem and because of this he would vote to support the more expensive plan.
The board voted 1–4, defeating Corum’s proposal.
“This board is looking out for every nickel and dime this town spends. They should be commended,” said Selectboard member Daryl Pillsbury.
But Pillsbury added that he would vote against Corum’s motion.
“Fifty years down the road this [reservoir] could be a valuable asset,” he said.