GRANITE LAKE ASSOCIATION
Questions and Concerns
Comments and Suggestions
2/07
Who Has Responsibility For Maintenance and Repair of Box Culvert Under-girding Bridge Connecting West Shore, Old Towne and McIntyre Roads In Nelson (Munsonville)?
In a series of letters following examination last fall of the culvert's rock walls, DES has determined the Town of Nelson and Granite Lake Village District ("GLVD") share responsibility.
There isn't any doubt the culvert needs repair. Despite the reopening of the bridge (it had been closed about two months) by the Town, the Town recently placed a sign at the bridge stating "Limit 6 Tons Proceed At Your Own Risk."
DES first examined the culvert in September '07 at the request of District Commissioners who discovered some of the rocks at the base of the walls had been displaced into the bed of the dam outlet. The Town closed the bridge shortly thereafter after the District Commissioners expressed concern over the potential of road collapse.
Who Has Responsibility For Maintenance and Repair of Box Culvert Under-girding Bridge Connecting West Shore, Old Towne and McIntyre Roads In Nelson (Munsonville)?
In a series of letters following examination last fall of the culvert's rock walls, DES has determined the Town of Nelson and Granite Lake Village District ("GLVD") share responsibility.
There isn't any doubt the culvert needs repair. Despite the reopening of the bridge (it had been closed about two months) by the Town, the Town recently placed a sign at the bridge stating "Limit 6 Tons Proceed At Your Own Risk."
DES first examined the culvert in September '07 at the request of District Commissioners who discovered some of the rocks at the base of the walls had been displaced into the bed of the dam outlet. The Town closed the bridge shortly thereafter after the District Commissioners expressed concern over the potential of road collapse.
DES ordered the Town to make necessary repairs. It also ordered GLVD to participate in the repairs because the "culvert is an
integral part of the dam embankment and discharge system." DES did not specify the rate of sharing and left the respective percentages
to the Town and GLVD to negotiate.
In the meantime the Town has hired an engineer who has reviewed the site and prepared a preliminary report. GLVD's voting members and Citizens of the Town need to approve respective warrants for payment of repair cost. Nelson Selectmen apparently will submit a warrant to its March 2008 Town Meeting to fund a share of repairs and pay for preparation of a final engineering report.
GLVD's sole constitutional purpose is "impoundment of water." Apparently this purpose includes power to repair and maintain the culvert that not only supports the dam, which impounds the waters of Granite Lake, but also the bridge and road above the culvert that at first glance is not part of the dam. The real question, therefore, is not power to act but what action is in the best interest of GLVD members?
In the meantime the Town has hired an engineer who has reviewed the site and prepared a preliminary report. GLVD's voting members and Citizens of the Town need to approve respective warrants for payment of repair cost. Nelson Selectmen apparently will submit a warrant to its March 2008 Town Meeting to fund a share of repairs and pay for preparation of a final engineering report.
GLVD's sole constitutional purpose is "impoundment of water." Apparently this purpose includes power to repair and maintain the culvert that not only supports the dam, which impounds the waters of Granite Lake, but also the bridge and road above the culvert that at first glance is not part of the dam. The real question, therefore, is not power to act but what action is in the best interest of GLVD members?
