Select Board authorizes engineering services for Swanzey Lake dam analysis; funding path to be clarified

The Select Board moved to award the proposal for professional engineering services for the Swanzey Lake Dam analysis and remedial repair design (New Hampshire Dam ID D23007) to Fuss & O'Neil (listed in meeting documents as "Foss and O'Neil"). The motion passed by voice vote after discussion about timing and funding.

Planning director and Public Works representatives said multiple firms had responded to a request for qualifications and that Fuss & O'Neil’s submission was the committee’s top pick. The consultant’s estimated budget in the submittal included a range of tasks (field work, geotechnical services, hydraulic analysis, permitting and design) and a total estimated fee presented in the proposal documents of about $140,000; staff characterized that as an engineering-services estimate that may change once the firm performs initial field work and refines the scope.

Board members asked where the money would come from; staff said the town has previously set aside a portion of dam reserves and that the capital-improvement process could add funding or that the town could use nonrestricted funds to start the engineering phase. Select Board members instructed staff to return with a clarified funding plan (how much is in dam reserves, what will be requested as a warrant article if needed) and a timeline. A motion to award engineering services passed after the board confirmed the award was intended to move the project from assessment to design and permitting, not to commit the town to a particular construction-price figure.

Ending — The board approved the engineering award to Fuss & O'Neil for dam analysis and remedial design and tasked staff with providing a funding and scheduling update to the board so members can consider a CIP or warrant-article approach for construction funding.