City of Meriden, CT Truck once again closing our road!

What did the previous study recommend? Can a retention project be done with federal stimulus funds? Does USDA NRCS concur with recommendations? Has Meriden DPW requested NRCS look at this flooding problem? Mary Mushinsky, QRWA

Milone and MacBroom did the study and it stated that the present detention ponds and the egress pipe needed expansion to accommodate the increased run-off from development. There was also a recommendation to raise Hill Street. This is our only means of escape during flooding.
I am not sure about stimulus money, or if it is actually needed. I can tell you that there is already a detention pond and a small portion of it was cleared and dredged by the City of Meriden’s Water and Sewer Department. They have the machines and knowledge to correct the problem by excavating the larger section of the detention pond. This detention area was obtained by the City of Meriden through eminent domain in approximately 1980. It has not seen any water in 30 years! The largest section of the detention pond remains elevated higher than surrounding properties.
I have not seen any correspondence with the USDA NRCS so I am going to assume the answer is no. This is the first I knew about the NRCS and their ability to help the public, something I am definitely going to look into. I would ask the DPW to inquire with the NRCS but cooperation from the City has definitely been lacking.
Thanks Mary for your input.

Update- 3-12-10 City officials arrive to see the problem, City Manager Mr. Kendzoir says they will look into the problem and report findings.

Flooded again, photo shows the water that is held back by the Thomas Edison detention pond. Another photo shows the water coming from the Thomas Edison area into our area causing floods.

The detention pond at Thomas Edison school.

Update:

4-28-2010 - Call to City Manager Kendzior for update on flooding, Kendzior says he has been busy, will contact City Engineer Mr. Bass for info and get back to me.

6-7-2010 – Call to City Manager Kendzior for update on flooding, Kendzior says he has not discussed problem with City Engineer Mr. Bass but will get with him and reply to me.

Each Month (4 so far) “See Click Fix It” asks me if the problem has been resolved. No.

Mike,
Recommend you ask a Meriden elected or appointed official to formally ask USDA NRCS (office is in Wallingford) to evaluate the detention pond and determine how much to enlarge it, and if detention pond elevation needs to be changed to protect you. If the city already owns the detention pond site, you're halfway home. NRCS services are free to city officials. Milone & McBroom are more likely to charge, but they might answer a municipality's question about their report in regard to what additional detention pond work they recommend. Mary Mushinsky, QRWA

Yes, the City does own the detention pond. The only problem I have is finding an appointed or elected official in the city of Meriden that will help me by going to the NRCS. This seems to be a Taboo problem. Any suggestions? Thanks, Mike Pyskaty

Yes. City officials are very busy. I find that it helps if you draft the letter first, then get a city official to sign it. NRCS services are free. Mary Mushinsky
USDA NRCS office is in Wallingford.

Well it has been 6 months since this flooding issue was reported and the City of Meriden has been clearing the detention pond of trees, brush and various construction debris for 2 weeks. It now looks like a typical detention pond, an open area for water. But according to todays Record-Journal interview with Bob Bass, the City has no plans to lower the basin and he refuses to comment about the flooding issue.

just wondering how the flooding issue has gone. Have they solved the problem or is it still happening?

January 24, 2012 Almost 2 years on “See Click Fix It”. Yes we are still flooding; all of my attempts to get the city to do something have been ignored. Even petitions signed by 54 property owners in this area demanding the city to fix our problem have been ignored. My neighbor left their home and let it go into foreclosure because they couldn’t take the flooding any more.

Yes we are still flooding, all of my attemps to get the city to do something are useless. Even a petition signed by 54 property owners in ths area to demand the city does something gets ignored. My neighbor packed up and left their home to be taken by foreclosure. They couldn't take the flooding any more.

The City can find millions of dollars to build a park at the Hub, add another detention pond to make that work, but they still refuse to clear and lower the Frary Avenue detention pond to eliminate our flooding, WHY?

I sympathize. It took 7 years for the city to repair the sinking road in front of my house. Maybe if all 54 of you property owners could stop paying your taxes until the issue is resolved.............Or, what seems to be a popular thing to do nowadays - sue the city.

Thanks for the kind words, not something I get from the City. I have been fighting this flooding since 2000, been through 3 Mayors and there probably will be even more. Ex-Mayor Mark Binigni honored me by saying "I am the most persistent person he has ever met". So fix the problem !!! Stopping taxes would get their attention but we all would have liens placed on our properties. I have been left with no recourse but to start a lawsuit. What really surprises me is that 54 people can sign a petition and the City refuses to even look at it. They are not working for the citizens of Meriden, I just want to know who is paying them.

I had an idea. Have you and your neighbors contacted DEEP? I'll bet that will get their attention.

We are paying them. It seems like all politicians today forget that the minute after they are elected. My opinion is that our city council is putting all their eggs in 1 basket - downtown. Even if that turns out well, the rest of the city will already have gone to hell from being neglected, such as your issue.
And still no one will come to Meriden.
If I already did not have so much work into my property, I would be looking to get out of here too.

I agree, what the City of Meriden needs to do is take care of the people, that's number one if only because they are the ones paying their salaries. A pretty park in the center would be nice but if no one goes there except to spray paint the walls then it's a waste. I wont let my wife stroll downtown at night and I'm sure you wouldn't. Maybe the citizens of Meriden should set up a nightly stroll for all of the politician's wives and see how many attend! My point, it is not about material things like a park, it's PEOPLE.

Thanks MikeA but I already tried that route, Mr. Biron (DEEP) replied "We are aware of the historic and future flooding concerns on Clark Brook. The City of Meriden is responsible for addressing the flooding issues within the city limits. The City will come to us with their solutions or fixes if a permit is required or state monies is requested to complete the work. The City is responsible for maintaining drainage. I would advise that you and your affected neighbors continue working with the City to pursue resolution to these issues. Thank you." A neighboring house just sold for a 60% loss of value and is still being taxed at the 100% level. I feel sorry for the remaining neighbors if or when they sell. Only thing remaining is a lawsuit. Thanks Mike

Wow. WOW !!! I was not trying to bring politics into this, but now that the Democratic good-old-boys-club is finally being broken up, maybe you will stand a chance with Mayor Santos. Like you said, 3 previous mayors - all Democrats - got you nowhere. Not knowing the whole story, I would guess the Westfort developer was a friend of certain Meriden leaders???

Yeah, they seem to forget about the people the minute after they are elected. I saw the articles and comments in the paper today about this issue. And finally, public comment. Keep it going, the more public support, the better. What if you called news Channel 3 or 8 the next time it flooded? And I can't believe that now they want to force everyone in your neighborhood to pay for sewer installation. Let them pull the crews off of that stupid linear trail for a few days to fix the flooding in your neighborhood. Only in Meriden. WOW.

All I want is to stop the flooding in my neighborhood and live life without fear every time it rains. I have lost so much time and money due to the flooding and fighting the city of Meriden that I could be declared crazy and put away. I will continue this fight until it is resolved or I pass away, either way they will know I’m HERE. I went to the TV stations, Bob Wilson tried to do a story about this, he gave up after several tries to talk to City Employees and no one would return his calls. Our problem is not sewers, we have them, it's all of the water from the north end of Meriden that is sent down to Frary Ave. and is backed up from an old railroad berm and an undersized egress pipe.

Update; it has now been 15 years of fighting the city of Meriden and still no help. I'm still here and have a lot more years of fight left.

Yes, 2440 days and still no help from the city of Meriden !!!

You say you have been at this for 10 years. The City does not see you as a threat. 10 years.
Don't get me wrong - I'm on your side. You need to contact the Eye Team at Eyewitness News Ch 3.
Have them come out with their cameras during the next big rain storm. And whatever you do, do NOT let the city know about it in advance. You need to catch them with their pants down! Good luck.

Thanks MikeA, I already tried Bob Wilson Ch.8, he was ignored by the city officials, he finally gave up. I think if I contact someone when it's happening it might help. Just to set the record straight, it has been 16 years I have been pushing the city to do something.

Well in a couple of more days and it will be 17 years and I'm still waiting for the City of Meriden CT to fix the flooding problems on Morse Street. Even their new insurance company is frowning on this problem. Only time will tell what they do