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Residents press Alton leaders for monitoring and tests as state plans staged Alton Dam drawdown
Summary
Town staff shared a March 12 response from state agencies describing a staged 2.5‑ft drawdown at Alton Dam and a plan to monitor sediment; town committees and water‑department staff raised concerns about sediment transport, buried waterlines and bank stability, and public commenters urged stronger legal and political pressure on state agencies.
Alton — The Board of Selectmen on March 18 reviewed correspondence from Fish & Game and the Department of Environmental Services describing a staged drawdown of Alton Dam stop logs and a monitoring plan; residents and local committees told the board they remain worried about sedimentation and damage to private infrastructure.
Staff summarized the state's response, dated March 12, which explains the agencies’ plan to remove up to 2.5 feet of stop logs in stages and to pause (about five days) between stages to monitor for sediment transport. Town staff said Fish & Game and DES indicated they do not expect large sediment pulses to travel downstream under the staged plan but noted the state’s commitment in the letter is procedural rather than absolute.
Conservation commission members requested additional sediment testing of Mil Pond before drawdown activities proceed. Town staff said the water department submitted separate, technical concerns because town water lines run along the riverbed and could lose protective coverage if levels drop significantly; staff stressed bank stability, buried utilities and property values are outstanding issues.
A public commenter urged the town to escalate beyond letters: "Get the state representatives in here ... Get the governor down here. Chew on them," the speaker said, arguing the town should form a committee and consider legal action. Kelly Sullivan, a resident who spoke later in the public comment period, told listeners: "Every person that has a concern with the dam needs to contact their state reps. Period."
Town staff said they will continue to press the state agencies for monitoring and to request additional testing at Mil Pond. The board did not adopt a binding resolution at the meeting but pledged continued oversight and communications with state regulators.
Next steps: staff will continue submitting technical comments and request sediment testing; Conservation Commission and water‑department staff will remain engaged with state officials and update the board as additional results or commitments arrive.
