Resident tells council Hays Court alley flooding threatens basements; council approves alley blacktop resolution

The Superior Common Council on Tuesday heard from a resident who said a failing alley in the B and C Hays Court area is causing flooding and structural damage, then approved a resolution authorizing several alley sections to be blacktopped.

"This has been an ongoing issue for us in this area," resident Jill Fortin said during the public hearing. She told the council that her backyard abuts the worst part of the alley and that she and neighbors have brought "almost 16 truckloads of dirt to try to fill in our backyard so we don't flood." Fortin added that a neighbor's basement wall is collapsing and that the area is "a swamp" that needs reconstruction.

City staff told the council it had received an email from Tom and Nancy opposing Alley Number 1 on the list. After announcing the public hearing and calling for speakers three times, the mayor closed the hearing and council members moved, seconded and approved the resolution authorizing blacktopping of the listed alleys, including the B and C Hays Court location Fortin referenced. The motion carried on a voice vote.

The resolution lists multiple alley segments proposed for blacktopping, and the council record notes the presence of a written communication opposing one of the alleys. The motion did not include construction scheduling or dollar amounts in the meeting record; the council approved the resolution and did not specify a timetable in the public discussion.