Assessment of ponds, Scantic River added to grant program in Hampden

May 10, 2023 | Sarah Heinonen
sheinonen@thereminder.com

HAMPDEN — Consultants for the state Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness program met with Town Manager Bob Markel and a handful of residents on April 25 to discuss priority projects to shore up the town in an era of changing climate.

Mary Monahan, subconsultant and owner of Mary Louise Monahan Enterprises, has been handling public outreach on the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness program in Hampden. She said $589,000 in funding has been received by Hampden due to the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness program. So far, the town has received a $40,000 planning grant, a $389,000 action grant for culvert work, a $60,000 grant to restore the Main Street Bridge over East Brook and a $100,000 small bridge grant for a span South Road.

A list of projects that address risks to the municipality in climate-related crises was prepared in 2021. Steven Tyler, associate principal senior civil engineer for Howard Stein Hudson, said the Main Street bridge repair should be the top priority. He showed photos of the span and explained how water collected on the side of the bridge where it filtered through dirt and plant matter to deteriorate the steel bridge supports. A conceptual design for this project was completed in 2022.

Aside from that project and the assessment of 35 culverts that was funded with the action grant, projects include an assessment of the dams in town with a focus on the dam across the street from the Town House, which supports fire suppression, the integrity of private wells and the ability of public facilities to serve as shelters or heating and cooling centers.

Among other projects are public building investment in renewable energy sources, an assessment of the risks from of pest-borne illnesses, such as Lyme disease and eastern equine encephalitis, maintenance of wooded areas and removal of dead trees, and removal of debris from wetlands, which mitigate flooding.
Markel asked about using natural methods to reduce stormwater runoff into the Scantic River or East Brook. Tyler said slowing downspout runoff can be something people can do to help on a personal level, adding that some municipal projects can serve a similar purpose on a larger scale.

Monahan asked for suggested projects from the people at the meeting and those online. She said if the project is on the list, the town can act when the funding becomes available.

Resident Gary Weiner said the focus on culverts puts “the cart before the horse.” He noted that “the lower reaches of the Scantic [River]” are flood prone and will see more water because culverts are directing flow in that direction. Weiner asked for an assessment of the Scantic River as a key priority.
Weiner said Mill Road has been closed because of flooding and that Mill Pond floods the basements of neighboring properties during storms.

Monahan said there is “both gray and a green solution” for these problems. Using ponds for flood retention will help ease water on the lower reaches of the Scantic River and infrastructure also can play a role, she said. Weiner said there has been a lack of maintenance at detention basins and ponds. He said Mill Pond needs to be dredged for silt. Resident Ted Zebert agreed, saying overflow feeds into Mill Pond and then drains into the river.

Zebert commented on the number of trees that have fallen across the Scantic River over the years and said environmental restrictions prevent clearing and cutting in many cases. “The river flows OK with low water, but what happens when we get a flood,” he remarked.

The Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness program is ongoing, Markel said. He added that addressing issues with the lower Scantic River “makes a lot of sense to me.” He said the purpose of the program is to “minimize the damage that is done the next time a flood comes along.”

Markel said Mass Audubon is open to assisting with funding these projects. “We’re going to get more rain. The climate is changing,” he said, adding that while funding may not be available at the Town Meeting on May 8, free cash can be requested for projects at the fall Town Meeting.

The town administrator commented that the residents who came to the meeting were “the same group of active citizens” that usually participate in town projects but said more resident input is needed. Monahan commented that once people see work begin on the Main Street bridge, they may be more likely to get involved.

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