Select Board Weighs Dam Repair Vs. Removal

Select Board · Meeting of March 3, 2026

GROTON — The Groton Select Board held an informational hearing on repairing or removing the aging West Groton Dam, with no decision made. Engineer Jonas Procton of the Horsley-Witten Group said removal would cost $1.2 million to $1.7 million but could be 90 to 100 percent grant-funded, while consultant Tommy Delaney presented an $850,000 repair plan, including a $505,000 construction bid, to be paid entirely by Groton. Residents split sharply: Adam Burnett warned dredging alone "could be as much as $500,000 even or a million dollars," while Shirley visitor Gayna Beaglebeck said the dam has killed otters, mink and beavers unable to bypass it.

Town officials said a repair article would require a two-thirds Town Meeting vote and majority approval on the May 19 ballot. The Select Board plans to decide by its March 23 meeting whether to put repair on the warrant.

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• Groton's community access TV: Select Board meeting, March 3, 2026
• The complete report: 780 words

Source: the Select Board meeting of March 3, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.

Checked against the record: before publication this article was automatically compared with the meeting transcript.