CAMBRIDGE — Voters directed selectmen to appoint a committee to look into way to fix or replace the leaking 200–year–old Cambridge Dam.

The dam has been at the center of town since before the town was even incorporated but is leaking badly. Town officials worry that the cost of repairing or replacing the earthen structure will be more than the small town —population about 500 — can afford.

Residents directed selectmen to appoint a three–person committee to gather information and estimates on different courses of action, according to Clara Watson, town clerk.

The committee is to give the information to selectmen who are to put an article or articles before voters at the 2009 town meeting.

A proposal to elect a road commissioner was not approved by residents. Currently that function is the responsibility of the board of selectmen. Residents also opted not to support a proposal to elect selectmen on staggered terms. Currently all the selectmen have one–year terms.

In municipal elections, Bernard Watson Sr., Ronald Strouse and William Digby were each reelected to the board of selectmen, said Watson.

About 40 people attended the meeting.

E-mail this entry to a friend