Smith’s Pond Corporation requests $53,000 for Cook’s Pond dam stabilization and path repairs

Dan Giza, president of the Smith’s Pond Corporation, presented a CPA open‑space request of $53,000 (the eligible portion after removal of ineligible items) for Phase 1 preservation work at Cook’s Pond dam and adjacent property access.

Giza said the earthen dam carries heavy foot traffic from walkers, anglers and dog walkers and has experienced erosion at the crest and on the downstream face. The requested funds would support survey work, engineering design, riprap placement and improvements to the footpath over the spillway to reduce further degradation. Giza said Haley & Ward has done inspection work previously and could begin surveys and wetland delineation immediately; Worcester State University is performing a bathymetry study this summer at no cost to the applicant.

Committee members asked whether removal of the dam or construction of an alternative pedestrian bridge had been considered. Giza said Smith’s Pond Corporation’s mission is to preserve the pond and that dam removal had not been pursued; he also said the upstream drinking‑water infrastructure complicates removal. Public commenters raised concerns about ecological restoration and noted state resources on dam removal; another commenter said the state classifies the dam as “high hazard,” meaning failure could impact downstream neighborhoods, which city staff said would warrant caution. The CPC did not vote at the hearing.