November 4, 2005
Board of Selectmen
Town of Uxbridge
21 South Main Street
Uxbridge, MA 01569
Dear Members of the Board:
I am writing to share some information I have recently received regarding the Rice City Pond Dam and Hartford Avenue Bridges.
As you know, the Hartford Avenue Bridges are under the control of the Massachusetts Highway Department while the Department of Conservation and Recreation has jurisdiction over the Rice City Pond Dam. I have stressed to both of these organizations the importance of quickly ensuring the stability of the bridges and dam so that Hartford Avenue can be safely re-opened. Both organizations have been very responsive to this request. MassHighway is in the process of completing its assessment of the bridges. They have inspected one bridge and are optimistic that it is structurally sound but have been unable to access the second bridge because of the high water flow that is currently passing under it. As soon as this flow subsides, Mass Highway will complete its inspection and release a formal opinion on the structural integrity of both bridges.
DCR also working quickly to assess and repair the Rice City Pond Dam. Last week’s assessment of the dam found that it is stable, but in need of some immediate reinforcement before Hartford Avenue can be re-opened. DCR is currently developing repair plans and specs for this project. They hope to be ready to advertise and accept bids in the coming weeks and commence repairs sometime in December.
The Department of Conservation and Recreation did stress that the imminent Rice City Pond Dam repairs are only temporary. The dam is on DCR's capital plan, meaning that they are in the process of developing a major dam re-construction project in future fiscal years. It is my hope that once the immediate damage to the dam is repaired and Hartford Avenue is reopened, the Department of Conservation and Recreation can meet with the Massachusetts Highway Department and the Town to discuss our visions for a new Rice City Pond Dam.
I will be in touch as both of these projects continue to unfold and as always, please do not hesitate to contact me with any further comments or concerns.
Sincerely,
RICHARD T. MOORE
State Senator
Worcester & Norfolk District
