Can the Great Brook Become a Safe Brook?

Plainfield's Hazard Mitigation Committee hosts a town forum on Thursday, October 18th at 6:30 p.m. at theTown Hall Opera House. Please bring your anecdotes, suggestions and questions. The meeting will be moderated by geologist George Springston and committee Chair Amos Meacham.

AGENDA
1. Committee discuss and approve prior meeting's Minutes.
2. Slide show of some of the pending issues and proposals.
3. Are there less expensive and workable alternatives to the estimated $1.5 million new bridge project? (FEMA is running out of money to pay for such a bridge.)
An alternative "second culvert" design has been discussed for about two years, which could improve water flow under the inadequate Brook Road bridge. How would adjacent landowners be involved?
4. Can the stream bank (and bed) near the Brook Road bridge be safely and legally modified to enhance water flow, reduced friction and reduced attachment of woody debris? How would adjacent land owners be involved?
5. What safe, legal and effective means are possible to reduce loose upstream woody debris which is not presently anchoring and naturally slowing the Great Brook (and providing species habitats), or which improves natural brook dynamics in other ways?
6. Other business?

Almost the entire Great Brook has been shaped by human road & bridge-building, houses and other structures. With raging water, stone & debris as its tools, the brook fights for room by taking some of that back from time to time.