Putney Board backs pursuit of federal grant to replace culvert and restore fish passage

The Putney Selectboard voted unanimously June 24 to pursue federal grant funding for a culvert replacement on East Putney Brook intended to restore anadromous fish passage. Margo Ghia, representing the Windham Regional Commission, said the Connecticut River Conservancy hired engineering firm Fuss & O'Neill to assess barriers; Fuss & O'Neill engineer Daniel Monette described a preferred 3-sided aluminum-and-steel arch culvert estimated to cost between $1.2 million and $1.8 million, with a feasible non-municipal match of $300,000–$440,000.

"This alternative would restore the natural streambed and has an expected service life of 30 to 70 years," Monette said, noting the study uses a 100-year storm as a baseline for resiliency but remains a feasibility assessment. The presenters cautioned that availability of a non-municipal match is not guaranteed and projects with a guaranteed match score better in grant competitions. The Selectboard passed Aileen Tulloch's motion to pursue the funding opportunity with Windham Regional Commission as the applicant.

The proposal would alter bridge approaches and change the popular swimming hole’s depth and configuration, the presenters said, and could be adapted for a dry hydrant. The board’s vote does not commit the town to match funding; it authorizes staff and partners to pursue the grant application and further study design and cost estimates.