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Officials say buying Alton Power Dam would likely require millions in repairs; Fish and Game wants to observe drawdown
Summary
Town staff reported DES and Fish and Game responses indicating that a transfer of the Alton Power Dam would require sale at market value, an appraisal and likely "several million dollars" to bring the high-hazard dam into compliance. Fish and Game (current owner) wants to see fall drawdown results before deciding on disposition.
Town staff updated the board on communications with New Hampshire DES and Fish and Game about whether Alton could assume ownership of the Alton Power Dam. The staff summary said DES advised that a transfer would require sale at current market value (an appraisal) and noted the town would inherit the responsibilities of a high-hazard dam, likely including substantial remediation costs.
"It would require investment of several million dollars," the town administrator read from DES's response, and staff also reported an annual dam registration fee of $3,000. Fish and Game, which currently owns the structure, told the town it would like to see the effects of a planned drawdown in the fall on upstream water levels before making any decision about retaining or removing the dam. Board members asked staff to follow up with counsel and to request engineering reports from Fish and Game for possible town review; staff said they would also seek a face-to-face meeting and request the Fish and Game engineering report be shared for the town's review and potential third-party audit.
