Resident urges county help after repeated spring flooding on Fourth Street in Lake George

Rick Lovett, a Lake George resident, told the Hubbard County Board during public comment that his neighbor’s property at 370 Fourth Street has flooded in spring for up to two months each of the past three years and that the township has declined to take corrective action.

"I took your advice and contacted 3 different attorneys... They all told me it would be ridiculous to spend 30 to $50,000 in court resolving something that would only cost under 20,000 to actually fix," Lovett said, describing consultations he had undertaken after first raising the problem with the county on Aug. 19.

Lovett said he contacted the Lake George township lawyer, who told him the township likely already holds an easement that would permit widening ditches and removing trees to address drainage. Lovett said he relayed that information to the township board and later contacted the township chair; he said he had not received a substantive response.

County officials responded in the meeting by explaining options available through township procedures. One commissioner advised Lovett that the annual township meeting gives electors an exclusive power to set the levy, and that voters can approve a specific levy increase to fund road repairs. The commissioner said, in part, "If you have that discussion at your annual meeting to repair the road and you're willing to raise that, the electors are willing to raise a levy for it, I don't see why they wouldn't do it." (paraphrased from board remarks).

The board did not take formal action on Lovett’s item. Commissioners also suggested the resident follow up directly with the township chair and consider raising the matter at the township annual meeting; a county official said they would try to contact the township chair, Cal, to gather the township's perspective.

Lovett said he had already raised the issue at the township annual meeting and believed the town board had characterized a voter-approved motion as only "a recommendation," which he said has left residents without the road work needed to prevent the recurring flooding. He also said the flooded road has, at times, interfered with PCA and therapy transport and school bus service for residents at that property.

The board did not schedule follow-up action at the county level and made no formal commitment to intervene in township operations. The discussion closed with county staff noting seasonal constraints on earth-moving work and recommending efforts to secure township agreement to address low spots and ditching before winter.

Ending: The matter remains with the township for now; Lovett said he will pursue contact with local officials and the board indicated it could provide guidance but will not supersede township authority without a formal request or statutory basis.