One member of the committee expressed frustration with the ongoing debate, referencing historical damage to the bridge’s wing walls caused by the release of water from the beaver dam. The urgency of the situation was underscored by the fact that one wall had already collapsed, with the other at risk. The committee discussed involving the town’s highway department and select board to assess and mitigate the potential hazard. A motion was proposed and unanimously supported to engage the select board in discussions with the highway department to address the risks associated with the beaver dam.

Financial considerations were another key aspect of the conversation. A proposal was put forth to allocate budget resources for beaver dam removal, with the committee expressing a willingness to fund the project. The Board of Health had already agreed to contribute $1,000 from their budget, and the Lake Wyola Advisory Committee considered matching this amount from their unspent water quality budget. The cost of hiring a company for the task was noted, with previous efforts, including beaver trapping, costing around $1,500.

The broader implications of managing natural wildlife and local infrastructure were considered, with a focus on ensuring the highway department had the necessary equipment to handle the issue. The committee also discussed clarifying the department’s capacity to address the problem and emphasizing the need for timely action. This concern about infrastructure safety was a focal point of the meeting.

In addition to the beaver dam issue, the committee addressed the Lake Wyola stormwater erosion task force’s efforts to secure funding. The task force is in the process of applying for a rural development fund grant, with an estimated total cost of $80,700 for design and planning work. The Lake Wyola Association has pledged to contribute 10% of the required funds, split equally between the town and the association. The Franklin County Council of Governments is also preparing public education sessions to raise awareness about stormwater erosion dangers and mitigation efforts. The committee expressed optimism about the grant’s prospects, with anticipation that it would enable necessary studies and subsequent work.

Another topic was the ongoing dam activities, with an engineering company, GZA, having completed an application for a dam and seawall grant. The draft application was available for review, with a final submission imminent. If approved, the town could begin signing contracts and initiating work by July 1st. A biennial dam inspection was also scheduled, marking GZA’s first involvement, with several committee members expected to participate. The discussions included capital planning for the dam project, with an outlined budget of $55,000 for design and permitting, contingent on securing state and Community Preservation Act funds at the next town meeting.

The committee also touched on the management of beaver dam issues at Lake View Road culvert. This prompted discussions about hiring external help to address the situation and emphasized the importance of maintaining access for Camp Anderson. The committee acknowledged past proactive measures that had successfully reduced beaver dam buildup and prevented larger issues.

Additionally, the committee considered the condition of the access road to a dam and the potential acquisition discussions by the select board. Measurements necessary for land negotiations were offered by a committee member. The maintenance of the boat ramp at Lake Wyola was also discussed, with historical context provided about previous state offers to maintain the ramp, which had been declined due to local opposition. Concerns about a sandbar and the need for brushing the access road were raised, with plans to address these issues in future meetings.