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Residents press Warrington supervisors over curb, sidewalk repairs and drainage as paving nears
Summary
At a packed Warrington supervisors meeting residents from Aloe Village and Blackhorse Drive urged the board to provide individualized assessments for curb/sidewalk work and to approve targeted drainage measures after repeated basement flooding and confusing notices; the board said the sidewalk/curb checks are part of the road program and extended deadlines to coordinate contractor schedules.
Residents packed the July 23 Warrington Board of Supervisors meeting to press officials for clearer notice and tailored help on curb and sidewalk repairs tied to an upcoming township paving program.
Carolyn Rosser, who said she has lived in Warrington for more than 54 years, asked the township to provide “individual assessments for property owners by looking at each property” because a one-size-fits-all approach will not account for “unique situations.” She said contractors marked properties without explaining why and that communications—especially reliance on Facebook—left some residents uninformed.
"I just kept questioning and writing letters," Rosser said. "Clear information is what we need to make the right decisions before it's a deadline." The board asked Rosser to provide her written complaint to the township manager so staff could make copies for the board.
Other residents described practical concerns. Rich Barrett warned that concrete aprons need curing time—“you can't drive on an apron for 27 days after it's done”—which could leave homeowners unable to use driveways if coordination with the paving schedule is inadequate. Kelly O'Leary of Blackhorse Drive described recurring basement flooding that cost her $11,000 for a French drain and asked the board to keep a proposed U-drain on the docket so stormwater can be directed into the township storm system rather than remaining at property grade and creating ice hazards.
Township engineering and staff said curb and sidewalk work is part of the road program to avoid reopening newly paved roads later for curb work. Lee Greenberg (interim public works/operations) explained that Carroll Engineering surveyed curbs and sidewalks, that the township extended the original August 2 deadline to mid- or end-August to allow residents to choose contractors or have the township complete mandated work, and that the road contractor (named in meeting discussion as James D. Morrissey) will handle curb/sidewalk items scheduled with paving.
Officials pledged more direct notice. Board members and staff said they would follow up with property owners when their neighborhood work is scheduled and work with contractors to provide a clearer schedule; staff also offered to waive permit fees for township-mandated work while still requiring residents to submit permit information.
Why it matters: Several residents said the current communication and scheduling leave homeowners uncertain about cost and timing, and one resident reported large out-of-pocket expenses after basement flooding. The board’s decision to require curb and sidewalk fixes as part of the paving program means affected homeowners will face repair work ahead of road resurfacing; the township said it will try to give neighborhood-specific scheduling and extended compliance time.
The board agreed to review engineering recommendations and provide clearer timelines and indicators of whether the township or homeowners should perform the work before paving begins between September and November. The meeting record shows staff will follow up with affected residents and the engineer to reconcile schedules; no new townwide policy was adopted at the meeting.
