Lewiston Town Board responds to flooding complaints, approves new corrective measures

By Terry Duffy

Editor-in-Chief

Lewiston residents heard the latest Monday on town efforts to address problematic drainage issues following this month’s heavy rain events.

Multiple complaints of flooding damage were offered from property owners – and a staged parking lot protest in front of Town Hall was held prior to the session.

A Hillview Court resident spoke of contending with flooding woes for the past 37 years. Others from the Creek Road and Lewistown Park neighborhoods said their problems date to when they first became residents in the early 2000s. An Oneida Street resident who experienced severe sanitary sewer backups in the Aug. 2 storms suggested her problems stem from newer development in the Village of Lewiston.

Lower River resident Sharon Bland told town officials she has been contending with flooding for the past 40 years. The latest issue was a deluge last February where she incurred up to $15,000 in damages.

“This is a fiasco,” Bland said. “There are hundreds of people with hundreds of thousands in damages.”

She claimed attempts to seek recourse from the town failed, so Bland said she submitted a Freedom of Information request seeking to audit “all of the town’s infrastructure records to find out where our money is going.” Noting a 350% increase on her property value from the town’s recent reassessment campaign, she demanded greater accountability from town officials.

“We paid money for infrastructure, and our property values are predicated in things like stormwater and sewer, and now (alleged reports of) radioactive waste runoffs that may need to be very inclusive. … We want no more Band-Aids,” Bland said.

Town Supervisor Steve Broderick and board members responded with words of understanding and pledges to ultimately address the issue.

New drainage division

Highway Superintendent Michael Weiss opened the meeting by announcing a return to the town’s focus on preventative maintenance. He proposed a new dedicated drainage division to help tackle the problem. Town officials had eliminated a similar service in a cost-cutting move back in 2013.

 “Over the years, the Highway Department’s approach to drainage maintenance has been reactive rather than proactive due to limited staffing efforts and primary focus on cleaning areas only after complaints,” Weiss said. “Our current method of operation is no longer sustainable. Aging infrastructure, changing weather patterns, and years of deferred maintenance have placed an overwhelming demand on our existing workforce. The dedication of my current employees has allowed us to accomplish (a) tremendous amount. But they cannot continue … without additional support.”

 Weiss said he and Broderick have “spent countless hours” addressing the problem since he took over the top job as highway superintendent. Weiss spoke of meetings with residents, and of inspecting drainage problems and evaluating recurring flooding patterns. In the past, some town officials attributed the problem to heavy rain events related to climate change.

Following those visits, Weiss said he came away with a greater appreciation of the problem and a better understanding of the “long-term improvements required to better serve our residents.

‘Top priority’

“I completely sympathize with our community's concerns, taking action to resolve these issues is top priority,” Weiss said. “I remain fully committed to finding a lasting solution (to) flooding issues. My goal is not only to simply respond to complaints, but to develop a comprehensive drainage program that identifies problems before they become emergencies, prioritize critical projects, then create a maintenance schedule that benefits every neighborhood.

“It needs to be understood that this is not realistically an overnight solution to our problems but a long-term solution that will take time to complete. While not every issue can be resolved immediately, every concern should receive careful evaluation (and) honest communication in a plan moving forward.”

In addition to a dedicated drainage division in the Highway Department, Weiss proposed additional staffing, equipment and preventative maintenance projects. (Find his detailed column in last week’s edition, online at https://www.wnypapers.com/read-our-newspapers.)

Later is the session, Broderick and the Town Board went on to voice support and approve the new Highway Department program – plus two new hires, one staffing transfer, and future adjustments (as needed) to the department’s budget line.

Increased focus

Broderick said the approvals are the start on the town’s increased focus toward addressing and ultimately rectifying drainage problems. Other measures include plans to work further with village officials on inflow and infiltration; working with GHD engineering consultant partners to address drainage problems affecting the phase 8 area of the Lewistown Park subdivision; and pursuing partnerships with Niagara County and New York State Parks to address drainage concerns on county and state highways in Lewiston and along the Niagara Scenic Parkway.

“It is our responsibility to find a solution to this – and I think, with all the steps that we have taken tonight, that a solution is going to be found,” Councilwoman Sarah Waechter said.

Town officials said they are willing to work with residents and better address problems with the backflow preventer program. Waechter went so far as to log addresses and flooding complaints from speakers.

“Just know that we are all trying to wrap our heads around this,” she said. “I know, from my perspective, that (we’re all working) to create a plan to move us forward.”

“We know we have issues,” Broderick said. “For people that were having problems, I promise you we are going to continue to (be responsive). The town is just a phone call away. (While) we can’t go in and (correct flooding issues) inside peoples’ homes … we can visit. Myself, the highway superintendent (and highway and sewer workers) … we’re always available.

“You can call me … I will come to anybody’s house. I’ll return any phone calls, so please call me.

For more information, visit the Town of Lewiston website at www.townoflewistonny.gov.