By Sarah Opdahl

On Thursday, May 28, New Fairfield’s Board of Selectmen (BOS) held a public forum on the status of a complex drainage project on Ore Hill Road in the Ball Pond area. The completed portion of the project’s first phase is improving long-term drainage issues; however, major problems continue  on that and other roads in the area and residents in attendance were looking for help in addressing them.

Town Engineer Mr. Tony Iadarola gave an in-depth explanation behind what is causing the drainage issues on Ore Hill. He also explained that American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) funds allowed the Town to design a three-phased plan and implement Phase 1, which helped to mitigate the issues in what is “a considerably large drainage area that all congregates and eventually discharges underneath Arden Road and…eventually goes underneath Ore Hill, and all the way down from Ore Hill, it actually goes to Albion, and then goes into the New York state line.” Though there is other drainage work being conducted in the Ball Pond area, this is a specific situation related to  the primary brook that flows underneath Ore Hill. “We were able to do Phase 1, which is from Ore Hill all the way to the spill point of where Arden’s drainage pipe discharges, and the pricing came in so good for Phase 1 that we’re actually able to creep a little bit into Phase 2. We’re able to extend the pipe and create a large plunge pool, which actually would dissipate all of the velocity. So those are two primary design features that are all intended to capture the water, slow it down, and let it make its way out through.” The next phase includes  building a very large detention basin with a control structure. The control structure will meter the water out, so if there is a significant rain event, it will slow the water down. Phase three involves the installation of another compound detention basin. The next two phases will require over two million dollars in funding, for which the Town is seeking grants to help cover.

Neighbors are in a tough spot, as they are distressed about the amount of water flowing through, which Iadorala pointed to as a wide-sweeping problem of higher groundwater tables that are being navigated nationwide. Mr. Felix Rubino, who owns property on Ore Hill described having spent many years raising flags regarding this issue and gave appreciation to the current administration for being the first in two decades to initiate a solution. Residents described waterlogged yards that can no longer sustain grass, water seeping through paved driveways, and more.

The roads, which are heavily deteriorated, were a particular point of frustration for the residents, who see the Town as responsible for some parts of the water damage, in addition to recent heavy wear and tear that happened when large trucks were in the area to implement Phase 1. One resident shared that she has videos of heavy trucks on the unsupported road, which she says contributed to further deterioration. Del Monaco said she would look into that and pointed out that the Town has helped to an extent, but they cannot fully care for these roads, as they are technically “private roads.” Though a large amount of roads are private in New Fairfield, the bulk are part of established neighborhood tax districts or associations that collect annual fees for road maintenance; however, that is not the case in this area. It was highly recommended that the neighborhood band together to create an association to begin to collect the fees for maintenance in perpetuity. Hall explained that she lives in such a neighborhood and offered to help get them started by providing materials.

Fears over cost were evident as well as out-of-the-ordinary stories about residents attempting to fill numerous potholes themselves, especially before trying to sell their homes. When asked whether proper fill material could be made available for this purpose, Iadorola remembered this being offered in the past and said he would speak with Public Works.

When it was explained that the Town recently filled some heavily pot-holed sections of this neighborhood’s road, for emergency reasons, residents pointed out that the material used washed out and the problems remain. Del Monaco said that she will have that looked into. In addition, when alarming water flow conditions coming off of Roy Avenue were described, Iadarola promised to investigate that situation.

In other business, Del Monaco read citations declaring Reggie Lambrech as the Commission on the Aging’s Outstanding Senior of the Year and declaring June 7 as Flash Track Day, honoring their 25 years of contributions to the Town.

The next regular New Fairfield Board of Selectmen meeting is scheduled for Thursday, June 11, 7:00 p.m.