Lee Residents Raise Flood and Infrastructure Concerns Over Barnes Brook Near Hotel Site

Residents near Housatonic Street in Lee told the Select Board that a faulty culvert, debris, and a deteriorating retaining wall are causing water flow problems along Barnes Brook. They worry that a planned paved parking lot for a proposed Fairfield Marriott on the former Pilgrim Inn tract could worsen flooding. The board also approved Fire Department increases for ambulance billing and inspection fees and the state election warrant.

Nelson Daley and Marilyn Wyatt, who live on Maple Street, brought their concerns to the Select Board on October 6. They had earlier raised Barnes Brook overflow during the Conservation Commission’s July 1 review of the Fairfield Marriott proposal. They fear a paved parking lot on the former Pilgrim Inn site could intensify flooding near the culvert and retaining wall.

Town officials said the stones are not inside the culvert. Planner Brooke Healy pointed to a headwall outside it, downstream stones, a narrow stream, and limited vegetation. Administrator Christopher Brittain said the town maintains the culvert, while the wall and stones may sit on private land. The board also approved Fire Department fee increases and the state election warrant.

Count words? First para: Nelson(1) Daley2 and3 Marilyn4 Wyatt5 who6 live7 on8 Maple9 Street10 brought11 their12 concerns13 to14 the15 Select16 Board17 on18 October19 6.20 They21 had22 earlier23 raised24 Barnes25 Brook26 overflow27 during28 the29 Conservation30 Commission’s31 July32 1 review33? Actually "July 1 review" = July(1) 1(2) review(3). Let's count carefully. First para maybe 46. Second para: Town1 officials2 said3 the4 stones5 are6 not7 inside8 the9 culvert10. Planner11 Brooke12 Healy13 pointed14 to15 a16 headwall17 outside18 it19, downstream20 stones21, a22 narrow23 stream24, and25 limited26 vegetation27. Administrator28 Christopher29 Brittain30 said31 the32 town33 maintains34 the35 culvert36, while37 the38 wall39 and40 stone