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Parkersburg committee says city will stop routine mowing of many drainage ditches, will respond if drainage is impeded
Summary
Mayor Tom Joyce told the Public Works Committee on July 5 that the city will stop routine mowing of its roughly 122 miles of drainage ditches because of manpower limits; crews will continue to address vegetation that blocks drainage.
The Public Works Committee of City Council in Parkersburg met July 5 and learned the city will stop routine mowing of many drainage ditches across the municipality because staffing and equipment have been diverted to parks and other duties, Mayor Tom Joyce said.
Mayor Tom Joyce said crews had recently mowed more than 20 ditches but the city does not have the resources to continue routine mowing across about 122 miles of drainage ditches. "We do not have the resources to continue," Joyce said, adding that city crews will intervene if "vegetation is impeding drainage." City Attorney Joe Santer said rights-of-way agreements exist to govern stormwater management and that the City can remove hazards that pose public-safety problems.
The decision reflects the department's assessment of manpower and equipment limits, the mayor said. Councilmen also noted that the issue is concentrated in Districts 2 and 3. The committee had previously approved the minutes of its May 9 meeting by unanimous vote earlier in the session.
No formal ordinance or vote was taken on a change to rights-of-way policy beyond the committee's acknowledgement of operational limits; the mayor's announcement described current operating practice and triage priorities for drainage safety. The committee adjourned at 6:00 PM.
