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Board hears estimate that failing stormwater run could cost homeowners about $204,000 to repair
Summary
Engineers told supervisors a failing 36‑inch corrugated stormwater pipe serving a neighborhood could require about $204,000 to replace; roughly seven properties are affected and per‑home costs could be around $30,000 pending further research on legal responsibility.
Engineers and supervisors told the board that a failing 36‑inch corrugated metal stormwater run, approximately 550 feet long and about 10 feet deep in places, is starting to fail and will require replacement. The board was given a ballpark repair estimate of about $204,000 for the pipe run serving part of a development.
Chair described the pipe and the affected properties, noting that one property had some minor landscaping that could complicate work but that there were no major structures (fences or sheds) in the affected corridor. "That's $204,000," the chair said when discussing the estimate; when divided by seven affected homeowners the figure was described as roughly $30,000 per homeowner.
Township counsel and supervisors discussed the challenge of establishing legal responsibility for the facility because the HOA termination predated the township's stormwater agreements and any standard HOA maintenance provisions. Andy Miller said there was no provision at the time the HOA was terminated that made the township responsible for the stormwater facilities and suggested the burden currently falls to the property owners.
Supervisors asked staff to research whether any party bears legal responsibility and to report back; they emphasized the need to confirm the length and exact condition of pipe, ownership history and whether prior developers or homeowners inherit obligations. No formal motion or commitment of township funds was made at the meeting.
Next steps: staff will continue research into ownership and responsibility, provide more detailed cost estimates and advise the board on legal options and potential funding approaches.
