Thursday, March 5, 2009
Drainage still touchy issue in Sugar Grove
Mallard Point residents say village should take control
By Nancy Gier | Daily Herald Staff
A presentation of a preliminary engineering study on stormwater drainage problems in the Mallard Point subdivision led to a contentious 45-minute debate between some 30 Mallard Point residents and Sugar Grove village officials Tuesday.
The exchange took place at the committee of the whole meeting after a report from Mark Bushnell, a senior project engineer for Trotter and Associates.
Bushnell reported that effective drainage around the retention pond and wetlands in Mallard Point was blocked by overgrowths of vegetation and mud that were probably the work of beavers and muskrats.
"Many areas need maintenance," Bushnell concluded. The study was done over three days in February. The village held a special meeting for residents Jan. 27.
Residents of the Mallard Point subdivision, which is within the village, have complained of standing water in backyards, waterlogged basements and sky high electric bills due to having to run two or more sump pumps constantly. The original developer has filed for bankruptcy.
"What I want to know is, why wasn't this area maintained?" asked Blair Peters, who lives on Brookhaven Circle in the subdivision.
"Because you don't have a homeowner's association," village President Sean Michels responded.
"A mistake was made and the village needs to take ownership," Peters said. "There are many areas of the village that don't have a homeowner's association. The village should show support. That's where the disconnect is."
"The pond was there before the development," said Rick Montalto of Mallard Drive. "There's a general feeling that the village should take ownership."
Trustee Mary Heineman told the residents that the board had gained a "tremendous learning experience" in hearing their concerns and trying to solve the problem, but she cautioned those present that the village could not take over maintenance of all retention ponds.
"As much as I can sympathize, we can't commit to anything we don't have the numbers for," said Trustee Mari Johnson. "Don't walk away thinking this can all be fixed."
"We need to fix the problem, but we can't write a blank check," said Trustee Thomas Renk.
Michels told the residents that the village would have a contractor or public works employees clean up the area. He said further studies would be done to develop specific recommendations.
link: http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=276527
By Nancy Gier | Daily Herald Staff
A presentation of a preliminary engineering study on stormwater drainage problems in the Mallard Point subdivision led to a contentious 45-minute debate between some 30 Mallard Point residents and Sugar Grove village officials Tuesday.
The exchange took place at the committee of the whole meeting after a report from Mark Bushnell, a senior project engineer for Trotter and Associates.
Bushnell reported that effective drainage around the retention pond and wetlands in Mallard Point was blocked by overgrowths of vegetation and mud that were probably the work of beavers and muskrats.
"Many areas need maintenance," Bushnell concluded. The study was done over three days in February. The village held a special meeting for residents Jan. 27.
Residents of the Mallard Point subdivision, which is within the village, have complained of standing water in backyards, waterlogged basements and sky high electric bills due to having to run two or more sump pumps constantly. The original developer has filed for bankruptcy.
"What I want to know is, why wasn't this area maintained?" asked Blair Peters, who lives on Brookhaven Circle in the subdivision.
"Because you don't have a homeowner's association," village President Sean Michels responded.
"A mistake was made and the village needs to take ownership," Peters said. "There are many areas of the village that don't have a homeowner's association. The village should show support. That's where the disconnect is."
"The pond was there before the development," said Rick Montalto of Mallard Drive. "There's a general feeling that the village should take ownership."
Trustee Mary Heineman told the residents that the board had gained a "tremendous learning experience" in hearing their concerns and trying to solve the problem, but she cautioned those present that the village could not take over maintenance of all retention ponds.
"As much as I can sympathize, we can't commit to anything we don't have the numbers for," said Trustee Mari Johnson. "Don't walk away thinking this can all be fixed."
"We need to fix the problem, but we can't write a blank check," said Trustee Thomas Renk.
Michels told the residents that the village would have a contractor or public works employees clean up the area. He said further studies would be done to develop specific recommendations.
link: http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=276527
# posted by Julie @ 9:49 PM 
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