STOW – The Select Board and Town Administrator Denise Dembkoski are pleased to announce that the Town of Stow has received a $1 million state grant to support critically needed repairs to the Lake Boon Dam.

The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs is providing the grant through its Dam and Seawall Repair or Replacement Program, which will assist the first phase of a three-phase, $3.2 million project.

The Dam controls Lake Boon, encompassing the Towns of Stow and Hudson, and supports a stretch of Barton Road. The Dam has been considered “structurally deficient” since a 2012 inspection. Emergency repairs were required in 2021 due to advanced deterioration.

A dam failure would significantly impact the Stow community and towns downstream. A failure would require evacuations of the neighborhood, and severely limit the ability of the Stow Fire Department to draw water from the lake and adjacent fire ponds.

“Lake Boon is a town gem. The structural integrity of the Dam, and ability to control water levels, is critical to maintaining a healthy lake,” Select Board Chair Megan Birch-McMichael said. “By bringing the Dam up to modern standards, we are protecting this resource for future generations and securing the ability of our first responders to reach the Lake Boon community.”

“The state has been a strong supporter of the Town’s long-term plan to become climate resilient, so we are grateful for this grant funding,” Town Administration Dembkoski said. “I also would like to thank Superintendent of Streets Steve Nadeau for his work in obtaining this grant for the Town.”