The most pressing topic of the meeting was the presentation on the Tiger Dam system, a modular flood protection solution aimed at mitigating flood impacts in Riverside Park. The mayor initiated the discussion, emphasizing the need for a temporary solution while awaiting more permanent flood defenses. He highlighted the ongoing efforts and consultations with the Army Corps of Engineers, describing the Tiger Dam as a deployable secondary barrier rather than a comprehensive protection system. “This is simply to mitigate some of the issues that happen should we have a flooding event,” stated the mayor.

Cheryl, a representative from Tiger Dam, joined the meeting remotely from Florida, where she was setting up similar systems in anticipation of Hurricane Helen. She detailed the system’s functionality, noting its modular design consisting of interlocking tubes that can be stacked and adjusted to various heights. “You can run them seamlessly for miles and you can stack them to almost any height,” she explained, emphasizing the system’s flexibility and ease of deployment.

The discussion included the performance and certification of the Tiger Dam system, with Cheryl noting its platinum certification through FM approvals. She also addressed the filling process, explaining that each section can hold approximately 1,300 gallons of water and can be filled within nine minutes using local water sources such as fire hydrants. The mayor inquired about the speed of deployment, to which Cheryl responded that a small crew could set up a significant length of the barrier system quickly, replacing the need for numerous sandbags.

Training for local personnel was a key point, with Cheryl insisting that proper training is essential for effective deployment. The mayor expressed interest in having local teams trained, recognizing the need for preparedness in flood situations. Cheryl also highlighted the system’s versatility, mentioning its potential use for containment during sewage spills and directing water around roadways.

Following the Tiger Dam presentation, the council approved the consent agenda without objections. The Chief Administrator reported on the approval of a contract for rehabilitating a critical piece of sewer processing equipment, the belt filter press, which had not been updated in about a decade. The administrator underscored the importance of this equipment for effective sewage treatment and disposal, stating, “It’s a very important piece of the system.” Council members expressed appreciation for the ongoing capital projects aimed at improving the sewer system.

The mayor then acknowledged the success of the recent Senior Expo, which attracted over a hundred seniors and featured various vendors and services, including voter registration assistance and demonstrations of new voting machines. The mayor expressed gratitude to state officials for their support and noted that the event would be repeated due to its positive reception.

The Town Engineer reported on several notable infrastructure projects, including the completion of paving work on multiple streets. A punch list was being created for corrective actions, and concrete work on Stewart Avenue was completed. Efforts to communicate with Verizon regarding the removal of improperly placed utility poles were ongoing. Additionally, discussions about the height of gas meters in flood-prone areas were mentioned, with the utility company beginning to address those concerns.

During the public comment section, a resident inquired about the status of financial disclosure forms required by state law and the corrective action plans for late filings. The mayor confirmed that the forms had been filed by the required deadline. The resident also sought clarification on ongoing road projects, to which the Town Engineer provided details on recently completed paving projects, including Tech Drive, Paddock Way, and Cooper Hill. Coordination with utility companies to avoid future disruptions was emphasized.

The resident further questioned a $200,000 project addressing flooding issues on Stewart and River Drive, referencing a previous agreement with the Army Corps of Engineers. The mayor responded that the agreement was executed and that the project was in the planning phases, with design work expected to commence around January 1, 2025.