Roxbury Road Resident Speaks Out on Flooding

By Frank Chase, Roxbury Road

We purchased 24 Roxbury in 1973 with a healthy, dry basement and a flood free property. Our property is not the same today. Our neighborhood is not the same today. Remember, we are not in a flood zone. As we all know, our weather is more severe and climate conditions have changed.

There are many new programs and ideas floating around on the horizon, possibly 5-15 years in the future, regarding stormwater drainage and sanitary systems: From the Environment Corps. to the Stormwater Corps. From NB FLUSH to Resilience Plans. From rain gardens and retention ponds to permeable surfaces, etc. It appears that New Britain has a functioning “Stormwater Utility”. Meanwhile, our critical neighborhoods continue to flood.

Through all of this there is 1 constant factor which is our fundamental right as taxpayers, our city officials are mandated to keep us safe from circumstances within their control. Without fully functioning underground storm-sewer systems our critical neighborhoods will continue to flood, including mine. The storm-sewer systems in my neighborhood are at “crisis levels” according to our experts, consultants, engineers, etc. We have outdated and undersized systems with deteriorating clay mains: YES, we are demanding immediate upgrades to the storm-sewer systems in our critical neighborhoods: Including Allen-Hampton-Eton-Newbury-Roxbury-Overlook-McKinley-Selander. We are being asked to live with a clear and present danger.

Over the past 30 years city officials under the direction of 5 different mayors have successfully “kicked this project-the Allen St. Basin and the Hampton-Eton Subsystem Segment” down the road, while our neighborhoods and homes flood with polluted water from the underground storm-sewer system. The photo evidence is attached.

The unhealthy contaminates in the flooding storm water include bacteria, fecal matter, fats, motor oil, grease, etc. This flooding devalues our homes by 15%. We are paying property taxes based on inflated market conditions while our neighborhoods flood. Our quality of life has deteriorated and our property values have decreased because of the compromised storm-sewer systems in our critical neighborhoods. We were flooded 5x last summer. We are living with an imminent and an undeniable threat each day.

As intense rainfall overwhelms our storm-sewer systems, our water tables rise and the excessive ground water infiltration increases the underground water pressure (hydrostatic pressure) which further endangers our foundations and structures. Additionally, CNG underground residential gas infrastructure systems were replaced recently on Hampton and Newbury. The on-site CNG supervisors indicated their equipment was compromised by “water infiltration”. More evidence that we have critical issues in our neighborhood.

July 21, 2023 PW Director Moriarty and PW Board Chairman Saccente toured my neighborhood, property and basement. Moriarty agreed with former PW Director Carilli, we have outdated and undersized storm-sewer systems with deteriorating clay mains which are overwhelmed during short or long duration intense rainfall events. Also, Moriarty noted, completing the Allen St Phase 2 project will help but the Hampton-Eton Subsystem Segment should be upgraded as well to better control the flooding in my neighborhood.

The city has funding and funding sources to upgrade Allen-Hampton-Eton, Overlook-McKinley, etc. Unfortunately, city officials have failed to allocate existing money, have failed to obtain new funding and have prioritized available funds for other higher profile projects. We have learned that the $7M estimate for the Allen St Phase 2 Project is probably too low, now that 10 years have past since the initial plan and estimate was drafted. Moriarty has re-engaged Cardinal Engineering to update their 10 year old plan. When will this update be available for our review? Where is the plan and estimate for the Hampton-Eton Subsystem Segment? It seems this part of the plan is not on the drawing board yet. Why not?

My response to the Mayor’s comment, “Climate Change Is Here, Be Prepared”: My neighbors and I are prepared, the “City Is Not”. My neighbors and I have spent thousands of dollars installing water infiltration drainage systems and mitigation devices in and around our properties hoping to prevent further damage from the flooding water that overwhelms our compromised city operated storm-sewer systems.

The budget process starts in January. Once again, we must press our case for our fair share of funding to upgrade our underground infrastructure: storm drainage and sanitary systems. City money must be allocated along with grant money that may or may not materialize. We can easily use bonding for these projects. Where are the creative fiscal minds to help with this funding? We have been waiting for relief from this flooding for over 30 years. I remain hopeful but skeptical. Trust but verify is my standard.

“When the flooding water recedes we are forgotten by our city officials!”. I will be monitoring your progress. My passion for this issue is a direct result of the lack of empathy and courage demonstrated by many of our past and present city officials. Meanwhile, my neighborhood, block, streets, property, garage, basement and home are at “risk”.

Thank you! More to come…