OBSERVER Photo by Anthony Dolce Pictured are members of the Forestville school board.

FORESTVILLE — The Forestville Central School district continues to make progress on fixing drainage issues related to their athletic fields. At last week’s meeting, the board hosted David Spann from Chautauqua County Soil and Water who agreed the project needs work.

“The school approached the soil and water district with a drainage issue that persists in the athletic area,” said Spann. “I know it persists because it’s from the ’60s … and from the best I can tell, nothing has ever been done to it.”

At the meeting, Spann was also able to outline a couple of the reasons for the drainage issue, related to nearby water accumulation that is being blocked by debris.

“You have a couple things going on,” said Spann. “You have a creek full of wood debris and gravel load and a pond just across the property line. … The pond is causing a problem and you have heavy soil causing a supersaturated pool of water.”

Spann said they had to put a perimeter drain around the athletic field to get the water into the safe outlet down the street. Spann also said there’s project money available to get clean water and filtered water. The project would also alleviate the drainage problem near the sidewalk at the elementary school.

“We can put a budget together,” said Spann. “It’s not formalized yet but $10,000 would be a good investment for the school to complete this whole project.”

The connection to Spann was made through Forestville groundskeeper Brian Taber, who superintendent Renee Garrett thanked for the connection. The whole school board offered support moving forward with the project.

“It’s been a long time coming,” said Forestville School Board president Carol Woodward. “And it’s good news.”

The next Forestville School Board meeting will be on Thursday, May 5 at 6:30 p.m., with the 2022-23 budget hearing being held at 6 p.m. that day.