Town officials have allocated $58,000 for the dredging of Bennett Pond, a project they say will pay for itself.
The funding will be loaned from the general fund to the Bennett Park enterprise fund for no more than 10 years, according to the motion passed by the Board of Finance Thursday.
But Finance Director Robert Kozlowski said the money will be recouped over the 10-year period from revenues received by renting the park’s pond-side pavilion, a popular spot for picnics and gatherings.
Once the dredging is done, the pond could be stocked with fish and used for fishing derbies, he said.
The dredging is needed to remove sediment that has filled up Bennett Pond over the years.
Parks and Recreation Director Eileen Earle said the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection has approved a plan to store the dredging material nearby in the park until it dries out. Then it will be moved to another location, mixed with mulching material and used for fill, she said.
Kozlowski said bids for the dredging work originally received were all for over $100,000, much more than the $45,000 previously allocated for the project.
New bids were more favorable. The low bid for $58,000 was submitted by the Verdi Construction Company.
