BOS, Napleton agree on dam repairs, possible land gift to the town
By Mike BergerAfter six months of intense negotiations and 17 drafts, selectmen finally have a 30-page agreement with Napleton and Canton Development Properties whereby Napleton will spend about $350,000 on needed repairs to the Reservoir Pond dam.
What’s more, Napleton has agreed to donate the entire 300-acre pond property to the town of Canton — a gift that selectmen are prepared to accept as long as two-thirds of the April town meeting voters support it.
If all goes as planned, the repairs will be made next summer and the water levels will be fully restored shortly thereafter. The town would then take ownership of the pond once all the repairs have been inspected by town officials and certified by the state Office of Dam Safety.
Selectman Sal Salvatori had worked for months along with abutters of the pond in an effort to convince Napleton to reverse an earlier decision to breach the dam. Salvatori said the apparent benefits to both sides — including a sizeable tax deduction for Napleton — were ultimately enough to get a deal done in the end.
The town will now hire an environmental contractor to fully analyze the water and sediment quality of the pond and identify any potential environmental concerns.
The costs to the town will include legal fees involved with the closing of the transaction and the environmental expenses, which are reimbursable in two installments of $15,000. The town will also research property agreements involving the ownership of the pond, which Salvatori said dates back to the 1830s.
As for Napleton, the company will now begin the permitting process with the Conservation Commission and the state Office of Dam Safety. It is hoped that a full report of conditions and a full environmental report of Reservoir Pond will be made available before town meeting and selectmen have been urged to support Napleton’s application and try to expedite review before town meeting begins.
Salvatori said Napleton could still walk away from the deal if environmental findings and cleanup costs are too severe. However, Salvatori and the rest of the selectmen, as well as Jim Rogers, president of the Reservoir Pond Preservation Association, are confident that the agreement will stand. “This is a real victory and a good outcome for us,” Rogers said.
The annual cost of upkeep for the pond is estimated at $50,000; however, neighbors have historically contributed a portion of this cost in return for using the pond, and Selectmen Chairman Victor Del Vecchio said residents will certainly be welcome to do that once the town takes ownership of the property.
In other news Tuesday night:
* Selectmen voted to issue a special certificate of appreciation to Joe Uliano for all the work he has done on the Homecoming celebration over the past several years, and they approved a proposal brought by Selectman John Connolly and Recreation Commission Chairman Larry Bogue to establish a Joe Uliano “Homecoming Hero” award honoring a Canton resident or town official who has performed “above and beyond” for the benefit of the town. The recipient will be named each year at the Homecoming festivities.
* Selectmen signed a special proclamation honoring the 90th anniversary of the American Legion Women’s Auxiliary, their service to the town, and their support of the veterans.
* Selectmen and Town Administrator Bill Friel said they have received several letters praising the work of Animal Control Officer Paul Bastable. Selectmen also appointed Nadya Branca as a part-time, on-call animal control officer without benefits, effective September 22.
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Posted by Mike Berger
on Sep 23 2010. Filed under News, Town Government.
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