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Castle Lake Association offers to assist with Wayne Village Dam management; board seeks legal and safety review
Summary
Representatives of the Castle Lake Association asked the Town of Wayne to allow the association to manage the Wayne Village Dam, citing low lake levels and maintenance issues; the board welcomed volunteer assistance but raised liability, OSHA, and contracting questions and asked staff and counsel to review options.
Representatives of the Castle Lake Association asked the Select Board March 17 to allow the association to take over management and maintenance duties for the Wayne Village Dam, saying members have a strong local stake in maintaining lake levels and water quality.
The association's president reviewed the dam manual and argued that boards and sluice operations have not followed recommended procedures in recent years, describing actions the group took to sandbag and seal leaks. He said the association has 120 paid members and would prefer to manage the routine work or provide trained volunteers.
Board members welcomed assistance but raised questions about the town's legal responsibility and safety obligations, noting specific OSHA and Bureau of Labor Standards requirements for workers handling boards and working on catwalks. Town manager Shannon and public works staff said the town will review the dam manual, evaluate any need to revise it and determine whether a contract or advisory arrangement could meet safety and liability standards.
The board did not transfer management at the meeting but asked the association to coordinate with staff and provide a work plan, records, and a list of proposed volunteers or contractors. The board said it would include damkeeper appointments in the June reappointment cycle and pursue any necessary legal review prior to changing management arrangements.
