By Renee Worthing
Register Reporter
   Sanford Parks and Recreation Director Marcel Blouin said the water level at the Rec Center at Holdsworth Park in Springvale was dropped recently due to a warning from the weather service a couple of weekends ago.
   Blouin said the predicted rainfall never fell, but the Sanford Water District had to some work to do below the dam, which also required the water level to be lowered.
   Blouin said the water was temporarily drained at the Mill Pond area, but the water level was back up by Nov. 12.
   “The Box” which is normally completely submerged, was on high ground while the swim area was drained. The Box, now only a worn, wooden frame, was once covered with planks, allowing swimmers to stand on it.
   Blouin said The Box, which belongs to the water company, needs to be repaired or replaced.
   He said he was told The Box encapsulates a large pipe, which was once used to draw water from the river to be dispersed to any hydrants.
   Blouin said the pipe may have been installed in response to the fire that destroyed much of Springvale in 1905.
   Sanford Water District Superintendent Dennis Knowles said there is an intake pipe under the box, which was part of the Springvale aqua duct system.
   “Nobody alive remembers the last time that intake was used,” Assistant Superintendent David Parent said.
    He said the lifeguard shack at the Rec Center was the pump house for the intake pipe.
   “The lines run from the shack to Route 109,” he said.
   He said when the town wanted to develop the area into a recreational area, the property that is now the Rec Center was deeded to the town of Sanford.