Flood Control Commission Chairman Albert G. Giguere, Jr.
WESTFIELD – On Thursday, Nov. 29 at 5:30 p.m. in City Council chambers, the Flood Control Commission is holding a public hearing at which representatives from the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture National Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) will address residents, businesses and city officials on their initial assessment of the Arm Brook Flood Control Dam and Reservoir.
FCC Chairman Albert G. Giguere, Jr. said the Arm Brook Dam was accepted a few months ago for a federal rehabilitation grant. The municipally-owned Dam is several years over its 50-year shelf life, and must be rehabilitated. The grant will pay for 65% of the total rehabilitation project cost, which Giguere said will be “north of $10 million.” The city will have to pay 35% of the cost, plus any additional permits and side issues.
Giguere said the dollar amount is as yet undetermined, but Thursday’s meeting will provide a window into the total cost and scope of the work, following a several month design study by a contractor hired and paid for by the NRCS. The total rehabilitation project costs include land acquisition, easements, construction, and non-federal technical assistance and project administration. The cost of technical assistance provided by the NRCS is not considered as part of the total rehabilitation cost.
Giguere said there is a two-year window for completion of the work.
Part of the project will bring the Arm Brook Dam from a 100 year flood plain standard to a 500 year flood plain standard, which Giguere said will be required for all flood structures that are substantially upgraded going forward.
Giguere said the Arm Brook Dam is a “big deal” for Westfield, as it flows into Powder Mill Brook, and impacts areas such as Dartmouth Street and lower Notre Dame Street, where they are already having flooding issues.
“Dams exist to protect residents,” Giguere said, adding that they also keep down the cost of national flood insurance for residents and businesses, which could be impacted if they are not kept up to standard.
