ORANGE — The floodgates of controversy have opened regarding a plan to lower the water level of the Millers River so a hydroelectric plant can rehabilitate its dam.
Mini-Watt Hydroelectric has a facility off West River Street and is owned by a corporation of the same name with a Holyoke mailing address, according to town assessors’ records and State Registry of Deeds land records. The plant sits on the Millers River by the South Main Street bridge.
Orange Town Administrator Diana Schindler said she has been told the work — which must be conducted during summer months — is slated to begin July 5 and last roughly six weeks. She said the water is expected to be lowered to 5 feet below its lowest point.
“It will make (the river) a trickle, basically,” she said.
The plan, financed by state grant money, is being met with resistance by people concerned about the effects the work will have on the town. At 4 p.m. on Thursday, she said she had received eight phone calls regarding the project, including one from Congressman James McGovern’s office.
According to a McGovern aide, the congressman’s office reached out to Orange Town Hall to relay a resident’s questions about the project’s timing and duration. The aide said the people at Town Hall were helpful and responsive.
Schindler said some people are concerned the plan will disrupt Orange’s summer tourism business. She explained the town owns a boathouse on East River Street and leases it to Peak North America, an adventure guide company, a few months a year.
State energy officials in April announced $1.05 million in grants to support upgrades to three western Massachusetts hydroelectric facilities: Mini-Watt Hydroelectric, Pioneer Hydro Electric Co. in Ware and A & D Hydro Inc. in West Springfield. Mini-Watt Hydroelectric received $500,000 in state aid to stop leaks and modernize equipment, including a fully-automated system that can be controlled via smartphone.
The state previously said the upgrades are expected to increase electric generation by at least 516,000 kWh per year, enough to power 68 average Massachusetts homes.
You can reach Domenic Poli at: dpoli@recorder.com or 413-772-0261, ext. 258.
On Twitter: @DomenicPoli