Residents press Ogdensburg council on drainage, easements and a $35,000 survey

Residents used the public-comment period at the July 24 meeting to press the borough about persistent property-maintenance and drainage problems.

Steven Goff reported no change at a problem property on Glen Brook. Ken Fahrenfeld described disrepair at houses he passed while walking his neighborhood. Daniel Sotto said heavy rains have highlighted uncleared easement areas behind a gas station and described mosquito problems.

Mayor George P. Hutnick and Councilman DeMeo said a prior review found the drainage easement belongs to private property owners, not the borough. Borough Attorney Joseph Maddaloni said the borough's authority is limited when property is privately owned but that "if it isn’t being maintained in a manner and is backing up the stormwater you might have the ability to take some action." His remarks indicated potential limited remedies where private neglect causes stormwater backup impacting other properties.

Resident James Lame said he had engaged a surveyor to get a meets-and-bounds description for borough-adjacent land and estimated the borough parcel survey would cost about $35,000; he said he was not asking the borough to pay that cost and stated he would not be paying it himself, and that he would update the council after surveyors report back.

The council did not order enforcement or commit the borough to pay for the survey during the meeting; mayor and attorney comments indicated the borough may send notice to property owners about easement responsibilities where appropriate.