Residents press board over brook erosion, Lower Bog Dam work and private flood protections

Several public commenters used the board's public-comment period to press for action on erosion and flood risk from recent storms.

Mary Savo (S8) and other residents described remaining damage from the July 9 storm and asked what engineering measures were planned to slow stormwater flows. Mayor DeSalvo (S1) said the village has a grant to address the Lower Bog Dam and that engineers specializing in dams are engaged; he cautioned that much of the stream corridor is not municipal property and that solutions likely require cooperation with other landowners and jurisdictions.

Edward Dunn (S4) described upstream changes — including loss of beaver ponds and landscape alterations — that he said increased runoff and erosion: "Every place where the water came from is owned by a government... They all ran down into Hana Falls via that stream that almost blew out the foundation for the water tank," Dunn said. (S4) Residents also discussed private actions: one homeowner said they plan to build a small four-foot wall near a bridge on their property to reduce overtopping and invited the board or staff to inspect plans before construction.

Board response: trustees and staff advised residents to consult DPW engineers and noted the Lower Bog Dam grant work is intended to mitigate flow in vulnerable stretches; the board emphasized jurisdictional limits where the brook runs on non-municipal land. No formal engineering design was approved at this meeting.