Woodstock dam plans presented

WOODSTOCK — At its meeting November 20, the Woodstock Board of Selectmen was presented with a preliminary design for an improved dam at the outlet to Lake Christopher.

The design was presented by professional engineer Jim Sysko. 

The dam was last repaired in 1973 and is leaking, reported Sysko. At this year's town meeting, money was appropriated to repair it. 

Sysko's design adds four feet to the width of the spillway and 10 inches of height to the wing walls in order to confine outflowing water to the spillway. Currently, water pours out around the dam. 

The design also calls for a cofferdam, which will channel water around the area that needs new concrete. 

The backside of the dam would be reshaped, filled with gravel, and then dressed with loam and seed, according to Sysko's plan. 

Other parts of the proposal call for removal of the cattails from the east end of the outlet area and a bridge over the dam. The bridge would allow access by town workers to keep the area mowed. It would be fitted with a locked gate to prevent trespass on the adjacent private property.

Sysko said the cost would be roughly $135,000 and he would like to see the work done by August. Town Manager Vern Maxfield said he will work on obtaining any required permits from the Department of Environmental Protection. 

Bob Elliot, on behalf of the ad hoc wind power committee, presented the board with a final draft of the ordinance the committee has been working on for many months.

He asked for any suggestions from the board, the planning board and the code enforcement officer.

Elliot suggested that a mechanism be added to the ordinance for future selectmen to raise or lower fees as they see necessary. 

Fees would be assessed to cover any professional services the town needed in order to examine new proposed wind projects.

Planning board member Jennifer Chase said, "I like the way it is now," and suggested the board run it by the Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments for technical compliance.

After some discussion, a motion to do so was passed 2-1, with Selectman Steve Bies dissenting. Bies felt a legal review of the ordinance was warranted.

In other news, the board: 

• Held a public hearing on the new general assistance rules.

• Reported that the town's CEO continues to work on property cleanups.

• Signed an order to open Billings Hill Road to winter maintenance.

• Reported the roadside spring received another satisfactory test.