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Resident urges Warrenton officials to address Ashland Meadows flooding, cites chemical runoff
Summary
An Ashland Meadows resident told the Warrenton Board of Aldermen the subdivision has suffered repeated flooding and alleged chemical-laden runoff from adjacent farmland; city officials said the issue appears to involve Warren County and pledged to contact county leaders for further review.
Andrea Boutin, a resident of Ashland Meadows Subdivision, told the Warrenton Board of Aldermen on Sept. 17 that repeated flooding and runoff have affected backyards in her neighborhood and that the water contains chemicals she described as hazardous.
"We've come to this evening to ask a few questions. This is regarding the stormwater and flooding that's been going on in Ashland Meadows Subdivision," Boutin said during the public-comment portion of the meeting. She said she has shared photos and video with city staff and left a message for the mayor that she said was not returned.
Boutin also said an individual informed her that "the Alderman voted down addressing the storm water issues in our subdivision," and asked the board whether that was true and why it occurred.
A board member responded that "nothing's been officially voted on" regarding stormwater retention for the subdivision and said their preliminary review suggests the land where the water originates is privately owned and therefore a county matter. City officials said they would contact Warren County to request further investigation and asked the resident to contact the county commission directly as well.
Boutin told the board she worries about children who play in affected yards and said she may notify the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency if the situation persists. City staff said public works previously arranged for an engineering review and that city operations had not identified city-maintenance responsibilities for the land in question.
What happened next: City officials pledged to confer with Warren County and follow up with the resident. No formal action or city-funded remediation was approved at the meeting.
Why it matters: Residents described ongoing property flooding and alleged contaminated runoff that they say affects health and livability. The city characterized the matter as involving county-owned or privately owned parcels and did not commit to a timeline for corrective measures.
Next steps: Officials said they will attempt to coordinate a review with Warren County and asked residents to bring additional evidence and to contact county commissioners directly.
