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Residents urge pause, alternatives for Stoddard Reservoir repairs; board hears concerns about 8-30g development pressure
Summary
Multiple Simsbury residents urged the Board of Selectmen to pause plans to remove or replace the Stoddard Dam, citing ecological, recreational and historical value; speakers also pressed the board to advocate reform of Connecticut’s 8-30g affordable‑housing statute after developers proposed large projects nearby.
Dozens of residents used the public‑comment period on July 13 to press the Board of Selectmen to reconsider plans that could remove or substantially alter Stoddard Reservoir and its dam, and to ask town leaders to take a stronger legislative stance on how Connecticut counts affordable housing under the 8-30g statute.
Longtime and recent residents described the reservoir as an important habitat and community asset. ‘‘There are protected freshwater clams, native trout, snapping turtles and other aquatic life,’’ one speaker said during the public audience, urging the town to pursue grant funding or state partnership rather than demolish the dam. Another asked for a temporary pause and additional studies of lower‑cost alternatives, arguing the engineering report relied on “catastrophic failure” language that may overstate downstream risk given the reservoir’s small volume.
Several speakers highlighted the reservoir’s local history and recreational use — fishing, skating and family activities — and said a loss would be tangible for future generations. A high‑school speaker said students plan a GoFundMe to support repair work and asked the board to explore state grants and partnership with groups such as the Farmington Valley Watershed Association.
Separately, a group of residents spoke about the recently proposed Silverman development and Connecticut’s 8-30g statute, which they said can enable very large projects that outstrip local infrastructure. Michelle Rotondo and others urged the board to make reform of the 8-30g statute a local legislative priority, asking town leaders to seek changes that would give towns more credit for diverse local affordable‑housing strategies and for preservation or renovation of existing units.
Board members acknowledged the comments and said staff would prepare additional fact sheets and follow‑up materials; the chair said public comments would be brought back for discussion at a later meeting. No final decisions on the dam or on town advocacy for 8-30g change were made that night.
