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Resident asks South Lebanon to investigate sinkholes, damaged drainage easement tied to Deerfield Cemetery
Summary
A homeowner told council that a compromised storm pipe and recurring sinkholes behind his property on Pauline Drive are undermining his driveway and foundation and asked the city to research easement records and repair the line.
Steve Smeade told the South Lebanon City Council on Oct. 2 that sinkholes have developed along a drainage easement behind his property on Pauline Drive and asked the city to investigate and repair the pipe he says is washing out his driveway.
Smeade said the drainage easement runs from Deerfield Cemetery into a pipe that traverses behind and under his lot and ties into the sewer system on Pauline Drive. He said the first sinkhole appeared in April; a public-works camera reached only about six feet from the sewer before encountering debris and could not trace the line to his property. A second sinkhole later appeared at the front of his house near the foundation, he said, and he has been filling it to prevent further collapse.
“The pipe was faulty. It was broken, and they did their best to put it back together,” Smeade said, recounting conversations with long-time public-works employees. He asked the city to research easement records and to repair the pipe that was worked on during the town’s 2022 stormwater upgrade.
Mayor Burke and Public Works Director Jerry said the city’s solicitor was not available at the meeting but that the administration would look for recorded easements and perform a formal title search. Burke told Smeade the city could consider a temporary easement to allow a repair along the right of way but said a portion of the line under the house and on township property would need further legal review.
Smeade said neighbors have reported similar problems on the same drainage run and that the city previously repaired a stretch of pipe across the street for a different homeowner. He also said his sump pump is running frequently during heavy rain; he was unsure whether a high water table or a collapsed pipe is causing the condition.
City staff asked Smeade to submit photos of the sinkholes and to email them to Jerry, Harry or the mayor. Burke said staff would follow up after researching easement history and title records.
Why it matters: The complaint alleges a failing storm pipe that could threaten private property and public right-of-way; the city committed to researching the recorded easement history and to evaluate repair options.
