Pioneer Valley
Planning Commission

Eric Carle Museum, Amherst, MA

Media Release

CONTACT: Patty Gambarini, PVPC Environmental Planning Specialist (413) 781-6045
James Fox, President, Belchertown Land Trust (413) 323-4741


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 25, 2010

Milone & MacBroom Selected for Upper Bondsville Dam Investigation

As part of the work to explore options for the future at the Upper Bondsville Dam, the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission and dam owners Belchertown Land Trust have selected Milone & MacBroom, Inc. for an investigation into likely costs for repair versus removal of the dam. The work, which will involve review of existing data and field investigations, will also include a delineation of how far upstream the lake-like impoundment extends from the dam. 

According to Belchertown Land Trust President James Fox, “The results of Milone & MacBroom’s work should move us closer to an informed decision about the dam’s future.  There are passionate appeals by many in the community to keep the dam so that we can all continue to enjoy the recreational and aesthetic values provided by the impoundment.  As a non-profit organization with very limited funds, however, we are struggling with what that could mean to us in terms of financial costs over the long term.  Above all, we know that a secure source of funding is essential to maintaining the dam in good condition so as not to compromise public safety.  We wish that someone would step forward to take ownership of the dam from us, but that has not happened.”

The work by Milone & MacBroom on this project is made possible by a grant to the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission from the Massachusetts Environmental Trust.  Milone & MacBroom will be conducting their work over the next month, and information will be presented at a public meeting. One of three bidders for the work at the Upper Bondsville Dam, Milone & MacBroom is a privately-owned, multidisciplinary consulting firm with a staff of over 130 personnel. Their main office is located in Cheshire, Connecticut.