Engineer says homeowner likely responsible for sinkhole at 120 Christmas Avenue; council to monitor

Borough Engineer Ron Madison told Bath Borough Council on March 9 that field measurements, photographs and a review of the borough’s stormwater maps and development site plans do not indicate a Borough or Bath Stormwater Authority responsibility for a sinkhole reported at 120 Christmas Avenue.

Madison said he spoke with the homeowners and their contractor and reviewed available infrastructure mapping. "With the information available as of today, the problem needs to be addressed by the homeowner," he told the council during the public meeting.

The issue was raised during the public comment period by resident Adam Viola, who said a substantial sinkhole formed in his backyard and extended toward a neighboring property; Andrew McCorey, the homeowner’s father, also appealed to council for assistance. Council members and Engineer Madison discussed possible next steps after the engineer’s field work but did not authorize emergency municipal remediation during the March 9 meeting.

Manager Brad Flynn and Engineer Madison noted the matter may be an ongoing conversation between the homeowner, their contractor and borough staff. The Stormwater Authority’s staff and councillors indicated they will monitor any further technical findings; the authority is also awaiting a PennVest decision on unrelated major capital financing.

The council did not pass a motion assigning borough responsibility for repairs at the meeting. Residents seeking borough assistance were told next steps would follow outside the public comment period and that any additional investigative or remediation costs were not established at the time of the meeting.