LETTER: Town Official Says Drainage Problem Being Addressed

Letter from Stephen Stanziano, director of public works:

First let me state there is no “corner of Monroe and Baltimore” as stated by the writer; they do not intersect. There is a problem in the area located at the intersection of Baltimore and Hegstrom, which I assume is the proper location. There has been a long-standing drainage problem in this area that resulted from the vacation of a portion of Bloomfield and New York avenues.

Approximately a year ago, extensive repairs were made to the roadway using “infrared repair.” Unfortunately, the repair didn’t withstand the elements and we have been discussing an alternate repair method over the past few months. Our plan is to mill a larger portion of the roadway (too big for an infrared repair) and replace the asphalt in the problem area at a width of 15 feet to ensure greater stability of the repair. The work is scheduled for the spring when the asphalt plants re-open.

We have been fully aware of this problem and it will be addressed shortly. As per our files, we have received one request for service relating to this problem.

Regarding Colonial Drive South, this work was performed in 2006. It was our first curbing project on a public roadway. While it is not perfect and there is a waviness to it, this is the first complaint we have received in 6 and a half years (none regarding dizziness). The curb remains structurally sound and performs its function of directing stormwater to inlets, and of identifying the edge of the roadway (extremely helpful during snowplow operations). A evident from the recent project on Colonial Drive, our skills in the construction of concrete curbing have improved. “Experience is the best teacher.”

I hope this meets with satisfaction.

Stephen Stanziano

Director of Public Works

Original message from Ontopofit:

Those in Boy Scouts know that for camping, the troop pays for a camp site and the troop gets no services. You must fend for yourself off the land.

Much like Roosevelt City. A Boy Scout camp with nice hoses. The mayor has provided nothing in the 20+ years since I built my home.

The only thing we an expect is road work, yet most intersections flood. One day someone will hydroplane into another car and the town will be sued. I will even testify. The corner of Monroe and Baltimore has been patched 50 times and is still wrong!

Remember the curb job the road crew did on Colonial toward the high school? It had so many waves it made you dizzy driving past it. They had too much equipment there and too many personnel for too long. They did not save a dime for the town.

Wake up and let's get someone who can run a town for families. Parks are nice but they are also easier than providing real services to the residents. Hold off on parks until we have some infrastructure or at least basic needs met.