Residents press board on standing water; trustees table drainage fix pending cost estimates

Residents from the west side of Mountain Ash Lane raised safety and nuisance concerns about persistent standing water in a ditch that stems from sump-pump discharge and recent roadwork that altered culverts. Greg Thomczek (representing five residents) said the ditch holds water year-round, has created a slippery/smelly "swamp" in front of homes, and noted one resident already broke a wrist while trying to maintain the ditch. He said residents understood storm sewers had been planned for the original project but that item had been removed from the budget without their knowledge.

Staff described two options considered during a neighborhood meeting: (1) the village designs and installs concrete ditch pans for the affected five homes or (2) the village provides designs and specifications and the homeowners purchase and install the pans themselves under an agreement that sets maintenance expectations. Staff warned of MS4 stormwater-permit constraints and the risk of creating a maintenance burden if the village installs features that later require repeated upkeep.

Trustees raised questions about precedent, long-term maintenance (freeze-thaw effects and debris), whether other subdivisions had similar issues, and the need for cost estimates and homeowner cost-share information. Trustee Matt moved to table the item and send it back to staff for engineering costs, options and clarity on who paid for similar concrete pans in nearby areas; a second motion carried and the table decision passed with six ayes and one trustee excused. Trustees asked staff and the moving trustee to stay in contact with the homeowner and return with detailed estimates so the board could make an informed decision.