GRAFTON, Wis. — The Grafton Village Board voted Monday to start the process of repairing the Bridge Street Dam by soliciting bids, ending months of debate over the fate of the century-old structure after its hydraulic arm broke in early May. Watch: Grafton village board greenlights bid process to repair dam after months with a broken hydraulic armGrafton village board greenlights bid procees for dam repairAn initial bid submitted for the repairs in May would have cost upwards of $150,000, but members of the board signaled Monday they hope to get a better deal through the bidding process. The hydraulic arm failure has lowered the Milwaukee River level noticeably since Spring, draining the millpond and leaving mud flats behind. Neighbors say the change has affected the look, smell, and feel of the river running through downtown Grafton. Fellow neighbor Bill Harbeck echoed that urgency, arguing the dam's role in shaping downtown Grafton cannot be understated.