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Engineers find Heimlich tile damaged; board to investigate before vacating south-of-railroad section
Summary
A field survey found Heimlich drain tile damaged and interrupted by a utility pole; the developer and board agreed additional investigation and neighbor outreach (including with landowner Jeff Gollon) will occur ahead of a July 14 vacation hearing.
Engineers reported May 26 that a field survey of the Heimlich drain found the tile in poor condition south of the railroad, including a utility pole placed through the clay tile and a clay block terminus that rendered that section nonfunctional. The presentation said the Heimlich was located from Long Branch back to the railroad tracks, but the south-of-track clay tile was damaged and not conveying drainage.
“The first and most significant of which is there's a utility pole placed directly through that drain tile,” the presenter said while describing excavation results and blocked runs. The presenter added that some mapped drains on GIS did not match what was found in the field and that private tiles and culverts were present near the project area.
Board members and residents warned that existing private pattern tile networks could be affected by construction for a proposed solar project on Presnell properties. Gordon raised the specific concern of a nearby landowner, Jeff Gollon, who believes tile and culverts near his northeast corner may connect to the Heimlich. The board sought assurances about preserving ingress/egress of water for affected parcels.
Project representatives said they would avoid known tile, repair surprises encountered during construction and maintain surface drainage patterns. They committed to additional investigation before the vacating hearing and offered to meet with concerned neighbors. “We would investigate that… We have to show there's no adverse impact to those neighbors,” one project representative said, noting the team would provide findings before the July 14 hearing.
The board also discussed clearing and potential dredging of the Long Branch open ditch to address standing water and blockages; engineers noted wetlands and possible state permit requirements for extensive dredging. The board will receive more detailed scope and cost estimates before deciding on any large-scale ditch work.
