Vassalboro select board hears plans for fishway enlargement at Webber Pond dam

by Mary Grow

Vassalboro select board members’ June 5 meeting featured an update on planned enlargement of the fishway at the Webber Pond outlet dam from Matt Streeter, of Maine Rivers.

Streeter previously reported to board members in February and March, when he explained that closing Dam Road between Webber Pond Road and the southwest shore of the pond will be necessary, because big construction equipment will be on site.

The closure means residents will have to detour and come in from the southeast over the private McQuarrie Road. After discussions with area residents, Streeter said he has reached agreement with five of six McQuarrie Road residents; one is still considering.

Plans include improvements intended to make McQuarrie Road safer, he said. The project also includes enlarging the parking lot at the dam, extending it into a grassy area, to make more space for boat trailers.

Closing the road requires select board approval. Board members and Town Manager Aaron Miller had several questions that Streeter answered. He told them work is scheduled to start July 15, but he would like to start preparations a week earlier.

Board members recommended consultation with the town’s attorney; Streeter offered to meet with him. They plan a final decision at their next meeting, which is scheduled for Thursday, June 26 (a three-week gap because the June 5 meeting was a week earlier than usual).

Later in the meeting, there was a brief discussion of providing electricity at the dam, to operate power gates and a security camera. Select board chairman Frederick “Rick” Denico, Jr., did not think the town should pay for it, because “It’s not our dam.” The Webber Pond Association was suggested as the power customer.

In other business June 5, board members:

— Reviewed the town’s remote participation policy, created during Covid days when many meetings were on-line only, and the related topic of broadcasting and recording live meetings. Miller plans to ask the town’s attorney to review the document.
— Spent another half-hour discussing more changes and clarifications in the town’s personnel policy, which has been reviewed repeatedly this spring with input from town employees.
— Planned to meet only once a month in July and August, as usual, and scheduled the meetings for Thursday evenings, July 17 and Aug. 14.