Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1903-05-15
CITIZENS HEAR THE PLAN
FOR DEVELOPMENT OF THE CONNECTI-
CUT RIVER DAM PROJECT.
Over 800 Present from Brattleboro. Hinsdale
and Chesterfield Committees Report Read
Attitude Of Retreat Trustees Explained
Engineer Rateman's Surveys.


and Chesterfield Committees Report Read
Attitude Of Retreat Trustees Explained
Engineer Bateman's Surveys.
More than 300 citizens of Brattle-
boro, Hinsdale and Chesterfield met at
the town hall Friday evening to hear
the report of the committee appointed to
secure a survey of the Connecticut riv-
er, with view to the construction OF
dam across the river at Brattleboro.
The reports submitted showed very
satisfactory progress and the feeling
prevails that the project Will be put
through successfully, either by out OF
town syndicases or a combination OF
local capitalists.
| w. III. Vinton was chairman OF the
meeting and c. A. Harris secretary.
The latter read the report of the clti-
zens' committee, practically based on
the report of the civil engineer en-
gagged, f. ". Bateman of Clinton,
Mass. Mr.. Harris said that, in addi--
tion to the survey, the committee mad
been successful in obtaining charters
for the proposed new corporation IN
this state and in New Hampshire, un-
| der the title, "The Connecticut River
Power Company of Vermont and New
Hampshire The survey made IS
based on estimates for dam ~ feet
| high. II showed that the water would
set back so as to cover about "a acres
of the Brattleboro Retreat meadow and
about 10 acres of the Dorman b. Eaton
estate. Aside from that the damage
from overflow would be nominal. The
construction of dixie was suggested
to prevent the overflow of the Retreat
meadows, but the expense of such con
struction will be heavy. About s45, OOO
will have to be expended in protecting
the Boston & Maine railroad bank with
\ piles and rip-rap, and the sewer system
will have to be extended further down
the river, to bring the outlet below the
proposed dam. The cost of the dam
has not been estimated, that not being
within the province of the committee.
1t is figured that about 5000 horse
power will be developed by 20-foot
dam.
w. III. Bracket of the citizens com
mittee gave report of the eXpendl-
lures Of the investigation and surveys,
The citizens interested raised fund
of about 81, $50 and Mr.. Brackett's ac-
counting was very satisfactory ano
showed a balance on hand OF about
800.
Judge j. NJ. Tyler, one of the trus,
tees Of the Brattleboro Retreat, said
that that institution, while in favor oil
the project, would not allow serious
damage to be done to the property
without proper compensation. he fell
that the matter would no douDu pe
amicably adjusted. L. f. Adams asked
about the cost of the proposed dam,
but estimates for its construction have
not been obtained as yet. On motion
of James +. Hooker a vote of thanks
was extended to the committee, and to
their counsel, c. G. Fits. Mr.. Fits
suggested that perhaps it would be
we'll to appoint an advisory board tt
act with the corporators, but 1t was
decided to leave the matter with the
corporators. c. f. Thompson ane
George L. Durham were among those
who thought the advisory board was
not necessary.
Mr.. Harris reported that number
of out of town capitalists in syndicate
were willing to take hold of the project
at its present state and push it through
Nothing will be done on that line JUS
now. 1t was decided that the corpo
rators should go ahead and perfect thu
organization, with the view of advanc
ing the project, and it is believed tina
the matter will be pushed TO compile
tion at an early date. The hope IS eX
pressed that local capitalists may taxi
hold of the scheme, rather than mer
from out of town.
One good thing accomplished by th'
meeting is the clearing of the atmos
phere regarding the position of th'
trustees of the Retreat in the matter
Judge TYLER explained that the Retrea
is ready to favor anything contribut
ing to the growth and prosperity of thu
town, Notwithstanding the report tina
they opposed the scheme. The ont
thing that the Retreat will insist upol
is that the project, when consummated
shall not injure the healthfulness o
the property by making the localit.
malarious through overflow or injur
ious to healthful conditions in any par
ticular
There is every prospect that the pro
iect will be consiu erably advanced dur
ing the summer, but the construction
Of the dam will not be attempted unit
another year at least. The meeting ad
journed subject to call.
The surveys made by Engineer bate
man and covered in his report compris
a profile of the river and railroad from
the proposed dam site, nearly Opposite
the Central Vermont roads roun'
house, to the Bellows Falls Canal Go. :
tail race at Bellows Falls, distanc
of about "a miles. Record of the toV
of the streams have been taken and IN
dicate that the flow of Brattlebor
would average u, 600 cubic feet per sec
ond. the drainage area of the Conpec
ticut above Brattleboro being estimat
ed at $500 square miles.
One of the difficulties to be solved b
the engineer is the effect of the hlgl
water upon the railroad bridge span
ming West River. Mr.. Bateman's re
port suggests that new floor beams an
lateral bracings be put in the preseen
bridge, and it be made Through
| instead of "deck" bridge, whicl
| would provide 20-foot raise withou
anv change in the present position o