DERRY — Town officials and Jean Gagnon have come to an agreement for the transfer of the Adams Pond Dam to the town.

A public hearing on the deed transfer is scheduled for tonight’s Town Council meeting, which begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Derry Municipal Center.

If the council accepts the deed for the 0.73-acre parcel, which Gagnon has agreed to transfer to the town at no cost, the town will then have the opportunity to fully explore all options for the pond and the dam, according to Town Administrator John Anderson.

Late last year, the Town Council heard from members of the public about the possibility of saving the Adams Pond Dam. Gagnon had proposed eliminating the dam to avoid costs associated with the repair or replacement of the dam after it was labeled as deficient by the state Department of Environmental Services’ dam bureau as deficient.

“Town staff was directed to meet with Mr. Gagnon to review possible solutions to address public concerns that the wildlife and pond aesthetics would be adversely impacted if the dam was eliminated,” said Mike Fowler, Public Works director.

Negotiations between the town and Gagnon resulted in an agreement where Gagnon will subdivide a .73-acre parcel containing the dam structure and the surrounding embankment areas at no cost to the town. The deed has been forwarded to Anderson and town legal counsel for review, and the Town Council must approve the deed transfer, according to Fowler.

The deed transfer will give the opportunity for the town to consider the best approach for dealing with the damaged dam, which has many structural problems. In an initial meeting with the state, it was confirmed that the letter of deficiency requirements would transfer to the town.

“The town would also inherit approximately $3,500 in annual permit fees, maintenance and monitoring costs,” according to Fowler.

The Public Works Department has presented several options to address the structural issues, including a full replacement of the dam at an estimated cost of $150,000, removal of the dam at an estimated cost of $20,000, or removing and rebuilding the structure to a height lower than 6 feet, thereby removing it from state jurisdiction.

The pond would be permanently lower, resembling a dry, summer condition similar to this year, but not left completely dry, according to Fowler. The estimated cost for that option is between $75,000 and $150,000.

aswift@newstote.com