Storm This Week Floods Critical Neighborhood Again

By Frank and Sharon Chase,

The “critical neighborhood” of Allen-Stewart-Hampton-Eton-Newbury-Roxbury-Stanley Park flooded again yesterday December 18. The attached photos from December 18 tells the story. The Allen St. Basin and the Hampton-Eton Sub-Basin backs-up, flooding from Allen through Hampton-Eton-Newbury-Roxbury to the Stanley Park at the corner of Stanley and Roxbury. This is the sixth flooding episode this year starting July 4th. The others were July 16, August 18, September 9 and 13. The Allen St. Basin and the Hampton-Eton Sub Basin are at “crisis levels” as noted by Public Works Directors Joe Carilli and Mark Moriarty, city engineers, Cardinal Engineering and Weston-Sampson Engineers.

Specifically, the underground infrastructure is compromised because the storm-sewer systems are “outdated and undersized with deteriorating clay mains”. The systems must be upgraded immediately. Very little has been done to the storm-sewer systems in this area of New Britain for over 30 years despite our pleas for “help”. Once again, the residents in this “critical neighborhood” are victims of neglect and mismanagement. Elected city officials, city officials, appointed city officials, etc. must “step up” to fund and upgrade these vital systems immediately.

Through all of this there is one 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, placing all of us in harm’s way. We pay our taxes for the benefit of all residents. Now when we ask for our fair share to upgrade our vital infrastructure systems we are ignored. We are being forced to live with an imminent and an undeniable threat each day.

Enough is Enough! Get the job done!