The City of Colchester Public Works Committee met Aug. 18, to discuss ordinary public infrastructure issues. However, a significant portion was devoted to hearing reports and considering remedies because of extensive storm water damage to residences in the southeastern portion of the town.
Several residents were present to explain major damage to their properties caused by the Aug. 15 storm system that dumped over seven inches of rain in McDonough County. They urged the committee and the council to make serious efforts to identify and to address long-term flooding and water main breakage problems in their neighborhood. They recognized that the severity of the recent storm worsened these problems and thanked city crews and the Colchester Fire Protection District (CPFD) for their efforts to alleviate some of the flooding.
Public Works Superintendent Justin Weber informed the committee of the severe washout of a culvert on Vinegar Knob road, completely cutting off access for homeowners along the graveled dead-end road. Weber reported that 175-200 tons of various size aggregate was dumped to fill in the collapsed roadway, with Laverdiere providing additional amounts after the city was unable to access a second stockpile in a heavily mudded area.
The southeast part of Colchester along East South Street has been the site of repeated flooding over the years. Storm sewers are unable to handle excessive rainfall, and the location has no easy remedy for draining flood waters.
Reports from community members spoke of water up to 35 inches deep in one basement. Another household had close to 27 inches of flooding in their basement, destroying stored supplies, a water heater, and appliances. A nearby house had flooding that entered the residence, with council member David Frost indicating he saw water pooling three inches up the screen door. Carpeting and new flooring in that house were completely damaged.
Another resident reported the collapse of basement walls. Many complainants worried about potential raw sewage entering the flooded areas. Council member Kim Limkeman showed pictures and a video of the flooded areas.
Those who spoke of their personal losses did thank the city and CPFD for arriving on-scene to pump water from the flooded street intersection and lawns into a distant ditch. Ordinarily, the storm sewers would funnel excess water to the northeast of town to the branch near the Colchester Welcome billboard.
But the system is old, as are several of the water mains in that area. Twice in the last six months, there have been major water main breaks, in some instances causing sinkholes to appear, especially near the First Baptist Church. That area experienced a major collapse a year ago, and the church has frequently experienced flooding in their facility. Superintendent Weber indicated that some of the hydrants for the cast iron piping indicate they were installed in 1935, suggesting that the waterlines and drainage lines may equally be as old. Though not a member of the committee, council member Catherine Louderman asked if the problems with water mains and storm sewer pipeline may stem from a common cause. So far, that possibility has not been explored.
The ongoing problems have been so persistent that council member Donna Wetzel urged the committee and the city to consult engineers.
'We haven't had any engineering done on these. We just fix them as they go,' she said.
In that area, noted Frost, there have been two major water main breaks across the street from each other, six months apart.
The city is pursuing a Community Development Block Grant for improvements to the sewer system. As monies are received, some may be used for fixing the drainage problems in the affected area. Wetzel indicated that motor fuel tax monies could be used as well.
Committee Chair Frost urged those present to document the flooding — pictures and videos, assessment of damages, past experiences — so that the depth of the problem, even if caused by an unusual rainfall, can be passed along to seek assistance. Wetzel urged those present to contact Rep. Norine Hammond. Louderman suggested residents should contact McDonough County Board Chair Eric Blakeley with documentation for assistance, since grants may be available for county municipalities. A suggestion was even made to contact FEMA. The intent of such contact is to inform those in governmental roles of the need to remedy the recurring problem of flooding.
In other business, the committee will recommend a truck bed replacement quote of $4,275 for the Street Department truck. Council members reviewed the Public Works budget, with Frost noting that one-third of the way through the fiscal year, the department is four percent over budget. However, part of that is due to major payments that needed to be made in the first part of the year. Many of the department's budget categories were under-budget so far.
A follow-up water meter testing was conducted on a residence in Tennessee (Colchester provides a water line to that village but not sewer service). The testing came after what was deemed a water line breakage. The city will work with the owners to resolve payment issues.
The city will soon receive a credit card machine to process utility bills. Several residents have expressed the need for such a service. The machine will cost $275, with the city assessed a $10 monthly fee as well as a 2.5 percent charge per transaction. Those costs will be passed along to the credit card users.
