Westfield Conservation Commission. (Photo by Amy Porter)
WESTFIELD – The Conservation Commission meeting Dec. 10 began with a moment of silence for James Phillips, a former five-year member of the commission and professor at Westfield State University, who passed away in November.
Commission Chairman David A. Doe said he had worked alongside Phillips at the university for many years. “He was a great aquatic biologist, and helped this commission a great deal,” Doe said.
City Engineer Mark Cressotti spoke on behalf of Schnabel Engineering to request permission to conduct geotechnical borings and test pits on Powdermill Brook Dam. Cressotti said the city is working with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to assess the dam, which has exceeded its 50-year life span. Cressotti said Westfield receiving the funding, and NRCS contracted with Schnabel Engineering to do the assessment.
“The intent is that the NRCS is looking at assisting the city in upgrades to the structure,” Cressotti said. He said there would be no work done in the wetland area apart from the borings that are needed for the analysis.
Flood Control Commission Chairman Albert G. Giguere, Jr. said the dam was constructed with a typical design for the 60’s through the 80’s, to meet the 100-year flood requirements. He said currently, the dam is seeing more water and more siltation than it was designed for.
Giguere said both Powdermill and Arm Brook Dam, which has also undergone an assessment by the NRCS, would overtop if there were a 100 year flood, because of the additional water. “As owners of the dams, we are responsible for their maintenance, which we can’t afford to do. That’s why we entered into these agreements,” he said.
Cressotti said there is a lot of investigate, including the impact of tracks from off road vehicles. He said the work with NRCS would bring it to a higher level of performance.
When asked what improvements might be made to the dams, Cressotti said they could raise the dams, in anticipation of runoff; and also harden the spillways.
At-large Councilor Cindy C. Harris told the Conservation Commission that the FCC is extremely conscientious and environmentally aware. “I just wanted to reassure you,” she said.
“We wouldn’t do anything to hurt the environment; in fact, we’re protecting it,” said FCC member John Leary, Jr., who previously served on Conservation, before the commission unanimously approved the project.
