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Engineer: Station Street drainage project could cost $300K—600K; council weighs grant and buyout options
Summary
A Parr Engineering study recommends adding a 12-inch storm pipe on Station Street at about $303,000, but council engineers warned the 12-inch pipe may not fully eliminate ponding and that upgrading downstream infrastructure could raise the cost toward $600,000; FEMA buyout or phased funding were discussed.
A town engineering study presented to the Coventry Town Council lays out options to reduce chronic flooding on Station Street and shows a wide range of costs depending on how much the town decides to upgrade downstream infrastructure.
Joel Levick, an engineer who briefed the council, said Parr Engineering proposed adding a 12-inch reinforced concrete pipe down Station Street at an estimated cost of about $303,000. Levick cautioned that a 12-inch pipe "isn't gonna be a home run" and could leave several hours of ponding after storm events; a 24-inch solution would shorten ponding time substantially but could push costs closer to roughly $600,000 once downstream upgrades are considered.
Council members and residents described the impacts firsthand. One council member said a homeowner at 269 Station Street reported such severe flooding that "he can put a motorboat in his yard." The engineer said the location drains a roughly 14.4-acre watershed with significant impervious area and that a nearby development's incomplete stormwater infrastructure contributed to the problem.
The council discussed several potential approaches: seeking FEMA grants for buyout or partial assistance, phasing repairs over several budget years, or purchasing the affected property if the owner is willing to sell. Manager Perillo said the homeowner had indicated a willingness to sell at $685,000, a price the town could not feasibly absorb and which exceeds the town's capital budget for a year.
Council members urged the town to examine long-term stormwater planning and to set aside funds over multiple years if the town intends to pursue a constructed solution rather than a buyout. The council did not commit to immediate capital spending and asked staff and engineers to explore grant opportunities and possible phased approaches.
What happens next: The town will consider grant eligibility and budget planning; staff indicated further analysis and potential bid documents would be required if the council wishes to pursue construction.
