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Homeowner raises erosion concern as culvert near Scantec River fills with silt; commission points to DEP and DPW
Summary
A resident reported a silted culvert and property erosion to the conservation commission on July 16. Commissioners said the town lacks unilateral authority to remove sediment and recommended the homeowner contact the Department of Environmental Protection and the public works department to determine permitting and responsibility.
A homeowner reported a silted culvert and increasing erosion behind his house to the conservation commission at the July 16 meeting, and asked whether the commission could assist in cleaning the culvert to reduce flooding and property loss.
Commission members inspected photographs and notes and told the homeowner the problem is complex. The culvert sits where a small stream passes beneath a roadway; silt and debris have filled the culvert and the homeowner said the pipe has begun to fail, sending water onto his narrow backyard. Commissioners said cleaning or dredging a culvert that connects to a stream can require permits, including state water‑quality approvals and possibly U.S. Army Corps of Engineers involvement, and that the homeowner may need to hire a contractor and obtain permits from the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).
Commissioners said responsibility depends on ownership of the culvert and adjacent land: if the culvert sits on town property the public works department (DPW) is typically responsible for maintenance, but if it is on private property the homeowner would normally need to obtain permits and pay for repairs. The commission recommended the homeowner contact DEP to begin permitting discussions and to follow up with DPW; members identified the town DPW head (Langone) as the appropriate town contact. Commissioners said the commission could, at a later stage, provide a signoff or support letter if required for permitting, but that the commission itself cannot authorize work or direct DPW to act without the department's involvement.
The commission acknowledged the homeowner’s frustration and offered to help by clarifying which town or state agencies to contact and by documenting the concern in the commission’s meeting record. No formal motion was made to perform work; commissioners reiterated that permitting, the Army Corps (for 401 water‑quality issues) and DEP would be the proper next steps.
