SILVER CREEK - Heavy rains caused a devastating flood in the village of Silver Creek three years ago, but rain is still harming property on Babcock Avenue.
Babcock Avenue resident Gina Hallmark attended a recent Silver Creek Village Board meeting to bring her problems to the board and hopefully find a solution.
"I am here because I believe Babcock Avenue has a major drainage issue which my basement usually takes the brunt of it," she said.
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OBSERVER Photo by Nicole Gugino
Babcock Avenue resident Gina Hallmark asks the Silver Creek Village Board for help with the drainage problems on her street which have caused thousands of dollars in damage to her property.
She said when there is any amount of rain her finished basement gets wet. She reported experiencing at least 20 floods in past three years.
She brought photos to show the board her problem and said many of the other residents of Babcock Avenue have reported similar problems.
She had a contractor renovate the basement for $18,000 and add a subpump and drainage solutions but nothing has worked.
She also reported because of this problem, her home insurance dropped her and there is now mold in her basement.
She asked how often the storm drains are cleaned, saying she has taken debris out of them many times.
Hallmark said she has spoken to Highway Foreman Ralph Crawford and a lip was installed at the end of the driveway to try to divert some water but it is still a problem.
"I just think that I need more help from village ... I'm asking you to do something about this ... There is a huge flooding/drainage issue (in the village) and I think Babcock Avenue needs to be a priority," she said.
Last February, Hanover Street residents Nicole and John Neubauer complained about the drainage into their yard after every rain storm.
The board did not commit to anything at first but the couple attended every village board meeting for months, asking the board to deal with the health hazard which endangered their children. The village got an estimated cost of $54,000 and found a way to fund the project through CHIPS money.
The solution to the drainage on Hanover Street was to replace and repair the storm sewer on LaFayette Street, which after some delays with the water project and broken equipment the village did complete the project last month.
Comments on this article may be sent to ngugino@observertoday.com.
