Burrillville council approves additional financing request to repair Harrisville Pond Dam

The Burrillville Town Council voted to authorize the town to seek additional financing from the Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank to cover increased costs for the Harrisville Pond dam repair project.

Town Manager Michael C. Wood and the finance director presented revised cost estimates and financing options. The repair package included options for a 15‑year or 20‑year borrowing schedule; council members were told the Infrastructure Bank offered a lower interest rate than a standard municipal bond.

The town manager said the project has been “many years” in the making and that costs have “gone up extraordinarily” since initial estimates. He recommended seeking the Infrastructure Bank approval for roughly $1.8 million in additional financing so the town can award contracts and proceed if the bank approves the request.

Council members asked about permits. Mr. Wood said the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management have been involved and a final state permit remained outstanding. He said the town will continue trying to secure external grant support but that timing and bid increases require moving forward on financing to avoid further delays.

Council President Donald Fox described the discovered problem: an old secondary gate and rotten structure that caused a leak and a sinkhole behind the dam. “They sandbagged it, controlled the leak, but it’s still not a good situation,” Fox said.

After discussion, the council approved the motion to pursue the additional Infrastructure Bank financing. The motion was made and seconded and carried with no recorded oppositions.

Ending: The council’s action authorizes the town to seek the additional infrastructure financing; if the Infrastructure Bank approves, the town will proceed to award the project contract and schedule the work under the selected bond timeline.