Town Manager backs $812,500 dam repair article

Select Board · Meeting of February 9, 2026

Groton Select Board approved routine items and debated whether to repair or remove the aging Squanacook River Dam. Town Manager Mark recommended a $812,500 repair article for spring town meeting, funded through a one-year capital exclusion rather than borrowing, saying "you would increase the levy for one year by the capital exclusion." The board voted 3-1 to send a letter backing a Community Preservation Committee request to put up to $300,000 into the Affordable Housing Trust, which holds roughly $800,000. Members also unanimously approved two corrective deeds for Bluebird Lane and a one-day liquor license for a Groton Grange barn dance.

Select Board member Rebecca Pine opposed demolishing the dam, while member Allison argued for removal. A standalone public hearing is set for March 3 at the Senior Center.

In the full story:

• The Full Story
• [00:26:46] — Town Manager Mark
• [00:40:06] — Dave Armstrong, Trout Unlimited Squannacook Chapter
• [01:00:32] — Rebecca Pine, Select Board member
• Why It Matters
• Key Motions & Votes
• Source
• Groton's community access TV: Select Board meeting, February 9, 2026
• The complete report: 1,043 words

Source: the Select Board meeting of February 9, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.

Checked against the record: before publication this article was automatically compared with the meeting transcript. It was corrected where it differed.