Community Corner

Council Hears Concerns, Demands Action on Stonegate Road Issues

After pleas from local residents, council members take action and demand more be done to prevent recurring problem from happening again.

Three times in four years, residents of Stonegate Road have suffered as raw sewage backed into their pipes. Three times in four years, they received apologizes and promises that the problem would be fixed. Residents now say they are tired of talk and want immediate action.

Thirty residents from Stonegate Road turned to the Town Council Monday evening to tell their story and demand action following another backup into six homes last week.

“I can’t possibly think it could take this long. How in four years have we continued to do studies and not fix the problem?” Martin Senich, of 352 Stonegate Road, asked the council. “You haven’t sleeved the pipes or put in PVC piping and you can’t possibly tell me you’ve fixed the problem.”

“It will be fixed now or we will move forward with a more aggressive plea that goes above you,” he continued in addressing the council, followed by a loud round of applause.

Town Council members took a first step following the pleas Monday, approving a motion that allows Town Manager Garry Brumback to spend up to $15,000 to hire outside counsel to take a look at the problem in an expedited manner.

Brumback told the council that this is just a first step, however, and several council members — including John Barry, Chris Palmieri, John Dobbins, Dawn Miceli and Council Chairman Edward Pocock III — said they wanted more immediate action.

“If you would authorize me to go out, hire an engineer and do so in a manner so it would never happen again, that’s what I’d do but I need that authorization,” Brumback said. “The issue we are attacking tonight is just part of a myriad of issues to solve. There are several things that could be a contributing factor.”

Town Engineer Anthony Tranquillo said that sump pumps are likely a large part of the problem, with a 2010 study determining that of approximately 125 homes checked, 50 homes had sump pumps that were illegally connected to the sewer system.

Water Pollution Control Superintendent John DeGioia said last week that each sump pump is capable of putting an excess flow of 50 gallons of water per minute into the system. Tranquillo said with 50 homes in the area, it’s impossible to say it’s not having an impact on the sewer pipes.

But council members weren’t willing to accept the excuses, saying that the problem should have been solved years ago and more studies aren’t a solution.

“When I hear the words study and consultants coming up again, it makes me angry,” Barry said, addressing Tranquillo. “[Former Councilwoman] Dolores Longo called me up in 2007 with her boots on, standing in one of the basements at midnight and said ‘we have a clear problem here.' ”

“You are the town engineer,” he told Tranquillo. “I don’t want any more studies done, you are here to do a job and it’s time to take action. These people have waited years and they shouldn’t wait any longer.”

Tranquillo said he’s done everything he had been directed to do and will continue to work toward a solution.

“I’ve moved forward with certain recommendations made specifically by the sewer committee. That’s all I’m going to say about that,” Tranquillo said. “That’s all I’m going to say about that.”

The council will take up the issue again at its next meeting, scheduled for March 28 and could take further action at that time, Pocock said.


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