Four‑town dam consultation continues: estimated $10,000 annual maintenance, 180‑day extension granted

Select Board members and meeting participants discussed ongoing intertown consultation over the Toddy Pond dam on Feb. 19, focusing on maintenance costs, possible capital work and the governance model for paying expenses.

Mary Allen said the Four Town Dam Committee—representing Blue Hill, Surry, Penobscot and Orland (Bucksport opted out)—is in a consultation period and is seeking information from the dam owner, which the committee has not received. Allen estimated routine maintenance costs near $10,000 per year and said capital improvements would likely require grant funding and more detailed cost estimates.

Gina Bushong, a meeting participant on Zoom, said the four towns asked for a 180‑day extension, moving the deadline to Oct. 13. Bushong said the statute governing the process appears written to favor dam owners; if towns do not act the decision could be referred to state agencies including the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, MEMA and the Department of Agriculture and Forestry, she said. No board vote was recorded on committing town funds; discussion focused on preferred funding models and next steps.

Board members debated how costs might be apportioned: Tom Welgoss said he prefers an individual‑town model (placing costs on the town whose residents benefit most), while Chris Stark cautioned that a 50/50 split could create precedent for other shared expenses. Mary Allen emphasized that an entity such as a watershed management district would need clear rules about insurance and capital responsibilities before the towns commit to funding large repairs.

The Select Board did not take a formal funding vote at the meeting and will continue consultations; the extension gives the towns more time to gather data and consider models for dividing expenses.