Bite-Sized Politics: Candidates on Flooding

THE ISSUE:

In the last few years, particularly 2007, floodwaters have been a major problem in Darien. Of all the areas prone to flash flooding, the commercial district of Heights Road has been an epicenter since the 1950s. That came to a head three years ago, when four feet of heavy rainfall flooded the area, ruining businesses, cars and livelihoods. Flooding has only worsened since the “Great Flood,” as the town’s development continues to increase.

Ever since, flood-issue advocates have directed an undercurrent of discontent towards town leaders, who they say have done little to solve the problem. But flood mitigation is no simple matter, say public works officials. Of all the options, few work; fewer yet are environmentally sound and financially feasible.

Small efforts have been made. For example, residents have been encouraged to remove sediment that dams up creeks which run through private properties. The most significant solution though, is the proposed Baker Park Flood Mitigation Project: a plan that the sitting Board of Selectmen and Public Works Department brought before the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection for permit approval in May.

If approved, the mitigation project will turn Baker Park into a large detention basin, suffice to hold water from a 100-year flood (substantial rainfall event that has a one-percent chance of occurring in any year). Many residents, particularly neighbors of Baker Park, strongly oppose the plan, which requires the removal of over three acres of 100-year-old forest.

The DEP held a public hearing in September, where both the Town and the “Friends of Baker Field” gave comment. The mitigation project is currently in the jurisdiction process up in Hartford, and a decision will be made in a few months. That is, of course, unless the next Board of Selectmen decides to pull the plug …

CANDIDATES ON FLOODING:

Callie Sullivan (D)

I have a four-point plan to better understand what the permitable solution in front of us right now might mean:

1. Tag the 300 of the 1000 trees proposed to be cut
2. Build a model of detention pond with dam
3. Catalogue each of the proposals the DEP vetoed, with their comments attached
4. Create 30-year timeline showing flood incidents on Heights Road, proposed solutions, costs to town to study, as well as defend against current law suits from commercial property owners

If after reviewing and discussing all of the above, Darien citizens do not want to undertake what the DEP has told us is the only permitable solution to stop Heights Road from flooding, then we will not proceed.

Chris Noe (I)

The Malone & MacBroom (M&M) report is done for Stony Brook. I intend to follow their professional advice and start at the bottom and work our way up. We will do this in-house with two new employees and one piece of equipment added to the Public Works Department. The Goodwives River report will be done soon and I will use the same plan. This will save tens of millions of dollars now and in the future, as we can use the same equipment to maintain our own silt ponds, preventing more silt deposits in Gorham's Pond. As for Heights Road: first, place one call to Hartford and pull the plug on the current project. Second, invite Charlie Saverine down to the First Selectman's Office; we need to talk of condemning the flooded buildings.

Dave Campbell (R)

The flooding situation in Darien is a tragedy. Four years and a proposed $5.5 million later, we’ve lost local control and must wait for the state to rule on the Baker Woods project. Many residents feel this proposal simply shifts the problem from one area of town to another. There should be a town-wide, long-range approach to determine the best solution to flooding. Jerry, Jayme and I will put into motion a proactive plan to expand drainage infrastructure, clarify residential and commercial responsibilities, and develop an ongoing schedule of public works maintenance.

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