Sumner gets clearance to fix dam

SUMNER — Town leaders were happy to hear that the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has granted the town permission to do work on Labrador Pond Dam.

"We can do whatever, whenever, as long as we don't get above the 50 percent," said Code Enforcement Officer (CEO) Side Abbott, who had been asked to consult with DEP officials on the matter.

The dam, located at Valley Road, was altered at some point to raise the water level of Labrador Pond beyond the level that was originally intended. This seems to have contributed to basement floodings and washouts on Labrador Pond Road.

No one seemed to know where the rocks had come from, but Abbott said Tuesday that the idea had been generated by a representative of the Maine Department of Transportation.

"Do we have an option to do it now?" asked Mary Ann Haxton, chair of the board of selectmen. "Can we get in there without getting up to our axles?"

Selectman Mark Silber and Road Commissioner James Keach decided that Keach would attempt to slide the rocks to the bottom of the dam, which would provide support to the sandbags and reduce erosion.

There was some amount of confusion as to what would consitute a change of more than 50 percent, but the feeling was that the removal of the rocks would not violate DEP constraints.

"Are we going to put this out to bid to do it, or ask Jim [Keach] to do it?" asked Haxton.

"I was thinking I might be able to do it," said Keach. "I'm not positive, but I don't mind trying."

If the job proves to be too big, the town will put the project out to bid.

In other news, Clerk Susan Runes reported that the election had generated a turnout of 68 percent in Sumner, significantly higher than the approximately 50 percent turnout the town has seen in other recent elections.