Spencer seeks design funding, examines alternatives for Chicken Springs Dam and 17th Street hazard

Spencer Town staff told the Board of Aldermen that a FEMA/state-funded design grant has been awarded to study options for the Chicken Springs Dam and the downstream hazard to 17th Street. Town manager Peter (speaker 5) said the town applied about two years ago for a $325,000 design project to evaluate engineered repair, full breach, or partial-breach alternatives that would reduce pond volume while maintaining some wetland or amenity value.

The grant, Peter said, would cover 65% of the design cost; "The grant only covers 65%. So you're left with the 35% cost share, which in this case is about a $113,000," he told the board. Consultants at Hazen are working on a revised scope to present to DEQ and FEMA that would include the alternative of removing through-traffic on 17th Street and replacing the roadway connection with a trailhead/parking area, bollards and signage to reduce hazard exposure.

Board members raised emergency-access concerns and whether removing the through route would hamper response times. Staff said alternate access exists and that limiting through traffic on 17th Street would not prevent emergency response; the town could still use the existing siphon to lower pond levels ahead of storm events and would need targeted repairs even if traffic were diverted.

The town also discussed a permanent deed-of-utility-easement for 207 West 17th Street, part of the same stormwater project; staff said the property owner has signed an easement and the cost is about $850 for the affected parcel share, and that the easement would be placed on the consent agenda.

Peter said FEMA guidelines do not allow grant funds to be used for property acquisition, and the town's appraisal-based offers to an adjacent property owner were rejected. "They did get an answer on that, which was no," Peter said of asking whether grant scope could include acquisition.

Next steps: staff and consultants will refine the design scope, and the board must identify or secure local matching funds to advance design work so the town can evaluate later construction costs and permit outcomes.