Residents press New Melle on stormwater damage and Foristell Road trail design; engineers report easement progress

Residents raised persistent stormwater and trail‑siting concerns at the Sept. 10 New Melle Board of Aldermen meeting, asking the Board and Cochran Engineering for answers on drainage, erosion and trail safety.

During Open Forum, Chris Caldwell said the water seepage issue at the new fire station is not currently producing above‑ground water but noted PWSD#2 had tested for chlorine without finding a clear signal on the source. Caldwell asked whether golf carts would be allowed on the proposed Foristell Road Trail and suggested rerouting the trail to the same side as Boone Trail Library — and using Fiddlestix HOA property — so it would cross State Hwy Z only once rather than twice, which he characterized as safer.

Two nearby residents described stormwater problems that they linked to recent work on Peter Street. Sam Cummins asked whether a city easement exists at the drainage location on his property, whether the Mill Street improvements will alter runoff onto his land, and raised concerns about erosion where water bypasses a pipe crossing. Tina Janitch reported that stormwater is not draining, that flooding has come within feet of her home and that gravel washed onto her asphalt driveway has caused damage; she said these conditions did not occur before the Peter Street improvement project.

Kurt Daniels of Cochran Engineering updated the Board on related infrastructure work: 16 of the 22 easements needed for Mill Street improvements and Schutzen Street sidewalk replacement have been acquired, with negotiations continuing for several parcels (including a former firehouse parcel, Straatmann Feed, Mr. Bystrom and others). Daniels said preliminary plans for the Foristell Road Trail have been submitted to MoDOT for review and that construction would be tentative in September 2026 when funds become available. He also stated that the escrow release request for grading at the new fire station will be tabled for further discussion and that the stormwater runoff issues on Peter Street remain under review; some problems stem from property owners not complying with maintenance responsibilities for drainage channels.

What the Board directed: the minutes record continued engineering review and further discussion of the escrow release; the Board also agreed to review comparable salaries for a part‑time code enforcement officer to help address ongoing code and drainage complaints. No immediate remedies or schedule changes for residents’ drainage problems were adopted at the meeting.

Next steps reported: Cochran will continue negotiations for remaining easements and follow up on the Peter Street stormwater review; the Foristell Road Trail depends on MoDOT review and future funding for construction.