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Resident says Smith Road repairs left his spring running brown; town proposes near-term culvert sleeve
Summary
A Fayston resident told the Selectboard his spring — his only household water supply for nearly 70 years — has been fouled since Smith Road repairs; town staff proposed a near-term sleeve with a 36" culvert and monitoring while considering longer-term relocation.
Leo Crane, a resident, told the Fayston Selectboard that since digging to repair 2024 flood damage on Smith Road his household spring "is running brown every time there is heavy rain." Crane said the spring has supplied his home for almost 70 years and that runoff now issues from a culvert and flows over the spring.
Selectboard member Michael Jordan said the culvert is preexisting but that the town has recently changed its practice to promote sheet flow rather than channelizing water. Jordan cautioned that on steep ground channelizing can be harmful and suggested a near-term fix: "We can sleeve the spring with a 36\" culvert as well as add clay material," he said, adding the town would monitor the situation and that moving the culvert uphill is a possible longer-term solution. Madison Vasseur said work could likely begin in August and that any work would be done in concert with Crane.
Crane told the board he would review his deed because he believes it grants him the right to maintain the spring; he also said Josh (town road staff) previously gave him permission for limited hand-digging to divert water. Vasseur noted there has been increased flow in the area since a nearby logging operation and suggested Crane might ask that the spring be placed on the town's water-resource list.
The Selectboard did not vote on repairs at the meeting but agreed staff would coordinate near-term mitigation with Crane and monitor results.
