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Board approves easement negotiation for Driftwood project and reviews failing Nob Hill storm sewer
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Summary
The board recommended moving ahead with an additional easement for the Driftwood project (estimated $1,500 for negotiation/legal) and discussed a failing storm sewer under a trailer in Nob Hill Mobile Home Park that staff plan to repair in‑house once easements are secured.
Board members at the April 27 Town of Newburgh Stormwater Management Board meeting recommended proceeding with an additional easement negotiation for the Driftwood project and reviewed several maintenance‑level repairs including a failing storm sewer at Nob Hill Mobile Home Park.
Town engineer Drew Flavin told the board the Driftwood project received Army Corps of Engineers approval late last month; staff are still awaiting IDEM water‑quality certification and completion of easements before advertising bids, likely in May or early June. Flavin said an additional private easement on the Molzer property is required and that staff obtained a cost estimate of $1,500 to negotiate that easement and prepare legal documents; the expense would be covered from bond funds tied to the project.
A board member moved to proceed with the additional easement negotiation and associated legal work; another member seconded (Bill Reesbacher is recorded as the seconder) and the board approved the recommendation by voice vote. Flavin said the recommendation will be forwarded to town council.
Separately, staff reported a failing storm sewer located under a trailer in the Nob Hill Mobile Home Park and described immediate mitigation steps: the town prepared easement paperwork and plans to use in‑house crews to install a parallel replacement line and foam or flowable fill to stabilize the failing portion to prevent collapse under a trailer. Staff emphasized the need for access easements and additional ditch work to restore drainage and reduce standing water and mosquito habitat in the area.
The board also received an MS4 (Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System) mapping update: Riley Jones and others have nearly completed mapping work and will attend a GIS conference; interns are being recruited to support inspections. Staff noted a possibility of a federal audit within the next year and said they expect to meet state mapping requirements well before the deadline.
Next steps: staff will proceed with easement negotiations for Driftwood, forward the recommendation to town council, finalize easements for Nob Hill work and schedule repair work with town crews once access is secured.
