Taylor River Pond Community Meeting in Hampton Falls

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I definitely support the new dam and fish ladder idea for the Taylor River. Maybe we can get involved and show some support for these folks.

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Taylor River Pond Community Meeting in Hampton Falls
Petition drafted against its removal


By Sheila Tanguay
hamptonunion@seacoastonline.com

December 11, 2007 6:00 AM
HAMPTON FALLS — Eight Hampton and Hampton Falls residents gathered in Mary Boynton's kitchen Sunday morning, discussing concerns regarding a proposed project by the state Department of Transportation to replace the Interstate 95 bridge over the Taylor River.
Their concerns include whether the state will replace or remove the Taylor River dam that maintains high water levels on the west side of the highway.
The residents said they don't want to see any project destroy the natural landscape around river or recreational opportunities the fresh water provides including skating, snowmobiling, cross country skiing, fishing, canoeing and kayaking.
Boynton's husband, Irv Boynton, said the river is full of wildlife including beaver, geese, swans. "Animals we'd lose," he said. "Ducks, loons, turtles, bullfrogs, deer, we've even had moose."
Both Hampton and Hampton Falls contributed toward the $3 million Hurd Farm Conservation in 2005 — with an emphasis on preserving recreational access to the Taylor River.
Mark DeFeo and Irv Boynton said they are also concerned what contaminants might be exposed in soil that has backed up against I-95 over the years.
Shelley Brown-Parish, of Hampton Falls, who lives on property owned by her family for the past 117 years, said she was frustrated when the state told her it could not find the "Flowage Release" from 1948 when easements were placed on family property in preparation for construction of the dam and I-95. Brown-Parish said she and her husband easily located the documents at the Registry of Deeds.
Residents said they are further concerned that removal of the dam could negatively affect their wells, septic systems, insect populations and fire protection issues.
The fire departments from Hampton Falls and Hampton rely on the Taylor River as a water source for fire fighting at residences, businesses and on I-95. According to a letter from Hampton Falls Fire Chief Jay Lord to DOT Project Manager Bob Landry, "The town of Hampton Falls does not have any municipal water systems, so all of my firefighting techniques are based upon the use of dry hydrants and tank trucks."
The letter further states that Hampton has no municipal water west of I-95 either, so firefighting in that section of town relies on the same techniques. A letter from Hampton Fire Chief Henry Lipe states, to "remove the water supply will result in increased difficulty in managing emergencies."
Those concerns have prompted the residents to create a petition, available at the Hampton Falls Fire Department and CP Lumber in South Hampton.
The petition states "as Friends of the Taylor River and New Hampshire residents; we the undersigned clearly state that we need the New Hampshire DOT to aid in the preserving of the Taylor River freshwater estuary for all to enjoy. We call for the N.H. DOT to include a replacement dam and a fish ladder in the bridge replacement plan, thus preserving the current freshwater levels, freshwater animal habitats, property values, fresh water resources and recreational tradition."
Residents at the Boyntons' house said they are frustrated about communication from the DOT. While figures given by the state at the October meeting indicated rebuilding the dam would be a small portion of the total project cost; no one on Sunday had those figures because, they said, that information is not yet online despite the DOT's assurances it would be.
The DOT stated the next meeting would be in Hampton in January or February, but no date was communicated so far, the residents said.
"The dam had been self managed by the neighborhood for years," Mark DeFeo said.
But according to DeFeo, the state came in 10 to 12 years ago, locked it down and when problems have arisen, no one at the state or town level has seemed to be of much help. DeFeo said residents have gone so far as to discuss forming an association to maintain the dam if that is what the state wants.
Lisa DeFeo said a properly maintained dam would help prevent flooding, a sentiment echoed by those in attendance. A properly managed dam would control flooding and allow for continued recreation, use of existing wells, septic and fire protection.
"The ones most affected by flooding from this river are the most in favor of keeping the river," Mark DeFeo said.
The group of citizens will meet again on Jan. 6 at 10 a.m. at the home of Irv and Mary Landry, 27 Taylor River Estates, Hampton. For information, e-mail Mary Boynton at mboynton2@comcast.net or view a blog at www.thoughts.com; type in Taylor River in the search field.