FARMINGTON — Community forums will be held this month in Franklin County to discuss the damage to residential, municipal and business properties from floods in the Sandy River Watershed in recent years.
A variety of organizations and people have established a steering committee to find ways to lessen the damage from floods. They include The Nature Conservancy, Franklin County Commissioner Fenwick Fowler, Republican Sen. Russell Black of Wilton, and the county Emergency Management Agency.
Several devastating floods on Main Street in Farmington damaged the town’s Hippach Field, McDonald’s restaurant, Walgreens, Giffords and other businesses, forcing them to close for several months in 2023. A Dec. 18, 2023, flood left Farmington isolated for a while. At one point, motorists couldn’t get in or out of the town.
The forums will feature geomorphologist Dr. John Field, who will present information on the natural history of the Sandy River, and potential impacts of more frequent and intense floods, according to Marc Edwards of Strong, an independent contractor overseeing the project.
Participants will have the opportunity to voice their concerns and share their experiences from recent floods.
The information gathered will be used to develop plans to mitigate and hopefully lessen impacts from future floods.
Participants will also learn what resources are available to plan for, react to, and be better prepared for floods in the Sandy River valley.
The forums will be held Saturday, June 9 7-9 a.m., at the Masonic Hall, 46 Mercer Road, also known as U.S. Route 2, in New Sharon; Friday, June 13, 7-9 a.m., at the Bass Room at MaineHealth Franklin Hospital, 111 Franklin Health Commons, Farmington; Monday, June 16, 7-9 a.m., at Forster Memorial Building, 14 S. Main St., Strong; and Tuesday, June 17, 7-9 a.m., at the Community Center, 21 Depot St., Phillips.
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