Council approves engineering contract and shifts reserve funds as town confronts recurring subdivision flooding

The Smithfield Town Council authorized two related steps on May 13 to address recurring flooding tied to a stalled subdivision and broader watershed issues: it awarded Beta Group $89,430 to analyze flooding conditions in Deer Run Estates, and it moved capital reserve money previously set for a Spencer Street drainage project to complete a feasibility study for the Highview/Hilldale area.

Town Engineer Josh Jelly told the council the Deer Run RFQ attracted multiple proposals; the selection committee interviewed candidates and recommended Beta Group to perform an as-built review, hydrology analysis and short-term mitigation recommendations for problematic drainage features in Deer Run and nearby streets such as Greenwood Lane, Clark Drive and Whitney Drive. Jelly and public commenters said a developer bankruptcy and construction that built larger homes and cleared more area than planned contributed to the drainage problems.

“The retention basin was supposed to be built in the development,” a council member noted, and engineer comments and a third-party review found flaws in earlier engineering plans. Jelly said the Beta Group contract covers analysis and possible mitigation planning but not construction; the $100,000 funding request included contingencies. The council approved the Beta Group award.

Council members questioned whether peer review of engineering plans was performed when the subdivision was approved and pressed staff to require peer review for current and future developments. Town staff said they are implementing a process that sends stormwater plans for external peer review before approvals to reduce future problems.

Separately, the council approved reallocating capital reserve funds originally designated for the Spencer Street drainage bypass project to finish a feasibility study for the Highview/Hilldale area. Director of Public Works Gene Allen and others said the Highview study is complete and contains costly remediation options. The council debated whether taxpayers should bear remediation costs for privately developed drainage failures; members and residents urged more aggressive bond protections and enforcement to avoid leaving towns responsible for developer shortcomings.

Public comment noted bond amounts previously returned to developers and urged stricter enforcement and follow-up. Councilors said they would pursue grants and other funding where possible but approved the transfers to proceed with the engineering work and to identify feasible remedial projects.

The actions authorize study and analysis; they do not commit the town to construction. Councilors emphasized the studies are a first step to document causes, estimate construction costs and support grant applications.