Wilton emergency services representatives have recommended several safety measures be put in place at the reservoir on Sand Hill Road immediately, as part of a larger look at the area as a recreation resource.
There was at least one incident of injury at the reservoir this summer, and Police Chief Eric Olesen reported that at least once, he found a family with a child fishing from the dam at the head of the reservoir.
“The recommendations are a result of looking at the area holistically and trying to mitigate any risks to the town,” Fire Chief Don Nourse said.
Emergency personnel have a stake in a committee that has been looking at how to develop the reservoir as a recreation area, but Nourse clarified that a list of recommendations given to the Select Board during its meeting Monday were a result of discussion among the town’s Public Safety Advisory Committee, not the Sand Hill Reservoir Committee, and were to address “immediate public safety concerns.”
“These are things that we think should be done as soon as is practical,” Nourse said. “We as first responders felt these were the items that, to the extent you can do them, we should do them now, because we’ve already had one incident.”
The recommendations include posting signs to advise the public that activities at the reservoir are taken at their own risk and that there are no lifeguards on duty. Nourse also recommended that the town clearly post where parking is allowed, to keep cars on one side of the road to allow emergency vehicles through and to keep the dry hydrant on the road from being blocked by parked cars.
He also recommends the lake be limited to non-motorized boats only.
One of the areas Nourse focused on as a potential hazard was the reservoir dam and dam house. Nourse suggested the dam house be fenced off from the land and a floating rope barrier be put in the water to block it from the swimming area.
“That dam house is pretty dangerous. It’s a pretty dangerous spot that, right now, you can walk in there at will,” Nourse said.
Selectman Kermit Williams noted he would have liked to see a single, comprehensive plan for the reservoir from the full Sand Hill Reservoir Committee. Nourse responded that these issues should be addressed now, while the committee was still in process of developing an overall plan for the area. Williams said he didn’t have an issue enacting some of the recommendations now, such as “swim at your own risk” signs.
Select Board Chair Matt Fish called the recommendations “low hanging fruit” and “the next logical step.”
The board didn’t take an official vote on the matter, but by consensus agreed to have the Department of Public Works look into signs to order for the area, and to discuss with the director of the Public Works the possibility of the department moving fencing in the area or getting a quote to block off the dam house.