CANTON – Malcolm Ray, chairman of the Anasagunticook Dam Committee, told his committee on Monday night that the permanent dam may not be as costly as originally thought.

As long as the height of the permanent dam is kept under 6 feet, Maine Emergency Management Authority does not have to be involved, which will ease some of the previous regulations.

Ray also said he thinks they can build the dam without using the services of a professional engineer. Ray himself is an engineer. Ray said he will be talking over some designs with Dana Murch from MEMA. One of the designs Ray is considering will be a log dam that can be built with stacks of large timbers. A timber can be raised or lowered to control the water level.

Ray is hopeful that they can get a permit by the end of the year on the permanent dam and be ready to go in the spring.

The interlocal agreement on the management and costs of the dam has been signed by Canton selectmen. The Hartford board has sent a copy of the agreement to their attorney for his advice before signing.

The agreement basically says that Hartford and Canton will equally share the costs. Both towns have water frontage on the lake with Hartford having more frontage.

The municipalities will appoint members to serve on a designated dam committee with two members from each town and one from the Canton Water District. The Water District will be responsible for daily maintenance and checks of the dam.

The town of Canton will be responsible for funds administration, including accounting records, payments, receipt and auditing.

The committee is still waiting to hear from the state on a permit to build the temporary dam.



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