Resident presses borough on repeated basement flooding, sump-pump discharge and backflow-valve removal

At the council’s public-comment period on Nov. 4, resident Josh Shapiro described repeated basement flooding at his Elmhurst property since he moved there and pressed borough staff for answers about stormwater drainage and a removed backflow valve.

Shapiro said he has asked borough staff “numerous times” whether he is allowed to discharge sump-pump water to the street and recounted inconsistent responses. He told council his house flooded on move-in day and again during recent storms and said the removed backflow valve and prior construction raised questions he has tried to resolve through Right-to-Know requests. “I just want more information,” Shapiro said, adding he had received few records in response to those requests.

Borough staff and the solicitor responded on the record. The solicitor, identified in the meeting as Mister Leland and who said he serves as solicitor for the borough, advised that discharging pumped water to the street may be prohibited if it creates an icing hazard or otherwise causes a public-safety issue. He said he would “confirm with the borough engineer and Miss Miller later this week” and follow up with the resident. Borough manager Judy Miller said the issue is complicated and that staff would work to provide clarity and additional facts.

Council did not take a formal vote on the matter during the meeting. Several officials encouraged the resident to meet with the borough manager and the borough engineer to review property-specific records and the reported removal of the backflow valve. The transcript records the resident’s request for detailed dates and documents; staff agreed to check the borough’s files and respond through existing channels.