Town staff recommends added pipes and swale to address ponding on Phase 1A trail

Town engineering staff updated commissioners on a drainage problem adjacent to the Phase 1A trail and recommended adding storm pipes and a swale to reduce ponding that occurs at the trail crossing.

Engineer Matt Heissinger said a recent topographic survey found low spots between two houses that have collected water historically and still pond whether the trail is present or not. He said the original design called for two 15‑inch pipes at the trail crossing but the design was changed during construction to trench drains that sit at higher elevations than the originally planned pipes.

Heissinger recommended placing two new 15‑inch pipes downstream, south of the existing trench drains and sanitary manhole, and adding a small swale on the east side to route water into the new pipes. He noted a large willow tree at the property corner on the south side impedes some overland flow and that the town cannot perform work on private property; any work would be on town property.

Cost and timing: Staff gave a rough estimate of about $50,000 based on prior bid prices, and said if the town arranges local quotes rather than formal public bids the cost could be lower. Commissioners asked whether some work could be self‑performed; the engineer said some items might be done by town crews and that funding source had not yet been decided.

Why this matters: The proposal targets recurring ponding that creates standing water at the trail edge and can affect trail usability and neighboring yards. Staff emphasized that parts of the ponding predate the trail and that private property owners are responsible for on‑lot drainage beyond town rights‑of‑way.

Ending: Commissioners did not take a formal vote on the recommendation at this meeting; staff will follow up with cost estimates and funding options.