Storm Water – New Britain Alderman John McNamara

Neighborhood Flooding Update

Public Hearing On Flood Relief Initiative Wednesday, November 6

November 1, 2024

City Starts ‘Courtesy’ Response Service; Homeowner Flood Relief Is On Council Agenda

By John McNamara

More New Britain property owners are seeking compensation from the city for property damage caused by storm water flooding and sewage overflows, according to caseloads recorded by the city’s Corporation Counsel in recent years.

The Corporation Counsel “handles claims and lawsuits filed against the City of New Britain” including personal injury, workers’ compensation and property damages. Over four years (2020-2023) 168 claims were filed for various damages and personal injuries. In 2020 (4) and 2021 (5) property owners brought nine sewer/flooding claims. In 2022, seven were recorded. Through 2022 less than 15 percent of cases involved sewer and flooding problems. In 2023, however, the sewer back-up cases increased to 26 accounting for 41 percent of 2023 cases. Over the four years $179,503 claims have been approved involving 15 property owners “as the result of flooding” based on data from the Corporation Counsel.

The increase in claims stems from frequent and intense storms that have overwhelmed the city’s aging stormwater and sewage system in vulnerable neighborhoods. The outmoded storm water-sewage system has caused problems for decades, with homeowners incurring out of pocket expenses and loss of insurance since the 1990s.

City Hall Update

Through the FLUSH program (Fresh Line For Upgrades for Sanitary Health) and the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) the city’s Department of Public Works has identified projects over the last decade that will replace lead pipes and aging and broken infrastructure to reduce the risk to residences and neighborhoods. These projects require more investments from local, state and federal sources to be completed. Over decades, however, the city has pushed bonding for sewage projects down the road, preferring to wait for federal grants and using municipal borrowing for other purposes.

Since the summer of 2023 the dramatic jump in flooding has led to a public outcry, especially from residents in the Overlook Avenue-McKinley Drive and Allen Street area near CCSU. Only in the last year, thanks to public pressure, has progress been made on capital funding for Allen and Overlook where extensive damage occurs.

“Rapid Response” Service And Neighborhood Flood Relief Initiative

Responding to the flooding damages and public pressure, the Stewart Administration via the Corporation Counsel recently rolled out a “rapid response service” as part of the FLUSH program. Described as a “courtesy” program “to promptly address sanitary sewer claims upon homeowner contact with the city” the service involves the Department of Public Works (DPW) determining if city sewer mains cause back-ups. The homeowner will then be offered restoration services from Apple Valley Servicemaster, a partner with PMA, the city’s third party risk manager and insurance underwriter for liability claims.

According to a DPW official, homeowners must contact the city as soon as the back-up problems occur and, if deemed eligible, “it is highly recommended” that they use Apple Valley to mitigate the damages of flooding. The courtesy service “automatically starts the claim process if the homeowner signs on to Apple Valley Servicemaster.” Otherwise owners may seek other firms to address flooding and also retain the right to file claims to recover their out of pocket expenses. “Rapid Response” is similar to services in the cities of Stamford and West Haven, according to the Corporation Counsel.

Common Council Democrats have proposed a neighborhood flood relief initiative to “provide immediate and direct relief to homeowners whose properties are damaged by storm water and sewage when extreme weather leads to flooding and damages.”

“In lieu of capital improvements and other long-term mitigation activities,” a September resolution states, “a Neighborhood Flood Relief Pilot Program can provide immediate and direct relief to homeowners whose properties are damaged by storm water and sewage when extreme weather leads to flooding and damages.”

The neighborhood flood relief initiative will be the subject of a public hearing on Wednesday, November 6, at 6:30 p.m. before the Common Council’s Administration, Finance, Law and Public Services Committee.
Meeting Notice

The pilot program will provide a grant up to $7,500 to owner-occupied dwellings of up to 1 to 3 units on a first-come, first-served basis to reduce or eliminate the risk of repeat damage to basements, buildings and mechanical systems not covered by insurance or other sources. The flood relief initiative is meant to compliment the rapid response service which only begins when storms occur and property damage is occurring. The neighborhood flood relief proposal equips property owners with devices and services to prevent damages thereby reducing the need for new claims against the city. Modeled after a Hartford program in the capital city’s north end neighborhoods, grants would fund sump pumps, French drains, lateral replacement, window wells, basement windows, gutters, drain snaking , video camera inspections, sewer jetting, basement cleanouts, new boilers, hot water heaters, electrical components and mold remediation.

*Basement flooding at a Brighton Street home near Allen Street after heavy rains in August 2024*

The resolution calls for use of an estimated $500,000, which is a portion of an additional municipal aid received from the state legislature for the current fiscal year. “This initiative is a start at reducing damages to homes as the city seeks state and federal support for capital improvements to modernize the failing sewer and stormwater system,” proponents say.

The neighborhood flood relief initiative will be the subject of a public hearing on Wednesday, November 6, at 6:30 p.m. before the Common Council’s Administration, Finance, Law and Public Services Committee.

John McNamara is an alderman from Ward 4 and the Common Council Majority Leader. He has been sharing stories and writing about local government and the community on his nbpoliticus.com blog since 2006.

Council Democrats Call For Neighborhood Flood Relief Assistance

NEW BRITAIN – Common Council Democrats are proposing a neighborhood flood relief initiative to “provide immediate and direct relief to homeowners whose properties are damaged by storm water and sewage when extreme weather leads to flooding and damages.”

A resolution, introduced by Common Council President Francisco Santiago (D-5), Assistant Majority Leader Iris Sanchez (D-3) and Majority Leader John McNamara (D-4), is on the agenda at the September 25th Common Council meeting.

Democratic Caucus Update – New Britain Common Council

The “Neighborhood Flood Relief Pilot Program” would provide up to $7,500 in assistance to eligible owner-occupied homes from one to three units contingent on available funds “to reduce or eliminate the risk of repeat damage to basements, buildings and mechanical systems not covered by insurance or other sources.” The resolution calls for use of an estimated $500,000, which is a portion of an additional $2,864,147 in unallocated state municipal aid approved by the Legislature last May.

Eligible activities and improvements will involve funding for sump pumps, French drains, lateral replacement, window wells, basement windows, gutters, drain snaking , video camera inspections, sewer jetting, basement cleanouts, new boilers, hot water heaters, electrical components and related mold remediation, according to the resolution.

Extreme weather events brought on by accelerated climate changes are increasing the threat to property and public health in vulnerable neighborhoods of New Britain, the resolution states.

“Since July 2023 floods in neighborhoods most at risk from hazardous weather have become routine and are increasing.” said Majority Leader McNamara. “The outmoded storm water-sewage system has caused problems for decades, with homeowners incurring out of pocket expenses and the eventually loss of insurance. The conditions are causing an increase in claims of injury to property, adding to higher insurance costs for city government.”

“Dilapidated storm water and sewer mains are not effective in handling overflows that result in street flooding and flooding into homes and property whenever intense storms occur,” said McNamara, who also serves as Council liaison to the Board of Public Works. “This initiative is a start at reducing damages to homes as the city seeks state and federal support for capital improvements to modernize the system.”

Through the FLUSH program (Fresh Line Upgrades for Sanitary Health) and the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) the city’s Department of Public Works has identified projects that will replace aging and broken infrastructure to reduce the risk to residences and neighborhoods. At the September 11th Council meeting alderpersons approved three projects to address the problem:

$2,147,634 was approved to address chronic flooding in the Overlook Avenue-McKinley Drive area with most of the funding coming from the remainder of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) money awarded to the city.
Planning continues with $80,000 more in site engineering work for Allen Street area stormwater and sewage improvements. The project will cost an estimated $13.9 million to be funded with up to a $9.4 million state bond funds and $4.2 million in city matching funds.
Using remaining American Rescue Plan (ARPA) funding $13,490,285 million was approved to implement Phase 3 of the FLUSH program on the southeast side of the city between John Downey Drive and East Street.

In proposing a pilot flood relief initiative similar to programs in other cities, McNamara said the direct aid project can be a catalyst for more state and federal support to municipalities to deal with flooding damage to infrastructure and properties. He cited the the implementation of a similar program in Hartford three years ago and the release of a flood mitigation study this month from the CT Conference of Municipalities (CCM) that “outlines a series of strategic interventions tailored to the state’s unique environmental and infrastructural needs.”

Regular Common Council meetings are held on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month, except for July and August. Public participation in person and via remote call in begins at 7 p.m. at City Hall in the Council Chambers , 27 West Main Street.

Common Council Contact Information Members – City of New Britain (newbritainct.gov)

*Intense rains cause street and basement flooding on Hampton Street, New Britain*

Flooding, Batterson Park, Education Are Topics At Ward 4 Constituent Meeting

Twenty residents from the three voting districts in Ward 4 participated in the first constituent meeting of the term on February 10th organized by Alderman John McNamara.

The Saturday morning meeting held at Spottswood AME Zion Church on Crestwood Lane focused on neighborhood issues and a new municipal budget for the next fiscal year.

Planning for a new municipal budget begins this month at the Board of Finance and Taxation as city departments and the Board of Education submit their proposed plans for the 2024-25 fiscal year. The public is encouraged to weigh in on budget priorities at Common Council meetings and at a Common Council budget hearing to be held in April or May. A new budget will be adopted in June.

In door-to-door canvassing last fall Alderman McNamara said he heard residents’ concerns about flooding in the Roxbury Road area and other locations, education funding and the quality of schools, higher property tax bills and Batterson Park’s future.

Meeting Summary:

Batterson Park Project: A final state study (See link below) has been submitted to the General Assembly that lists options and costs for the operation of Batterson Park. Residents Seth Cerone and Tobias Gummersbach expressed reservations about the proposed plans which include a paved walking path around the pond. Favored by the study is a public-private partnership that involves Hartford-based RiverFront Recapture with the City of Hartford retaining ownership. However, the Batterson Drive residents pointed to a number of concerns: Hartford has a record of neglecting Batterson (described as “benign neglect” in the study); aeration systems need to be installed to clean out bacteria if the park is ever to be restored for swimming; there are concerns about safety and liability issues for New Britain if a path impacting 19 homes on the southern side of the park is opened. The concern is that New Britain will be responsible for emergency services and trash pick ups at the park, which will add unintended expenses for the city. Alderman McNamara believes Batterson should become a state park as envisioned by House Speaker Matt Ritter, but given the Governor’s constraints on the state budget a state park nor the public-private option likely will not happen in the immediate future. Update: On February 9th the Legislature’s Environment Committee raised a concept for the drafting of a bill for “the operation and management of Batterson Park” in response to the completed DEEP report. A legislative hearing will be scheduled to consider the proposal.

Flooding and Stormwater, Sewage Mains: Citizen complaints led the city to commit $6 million in late 2023 to repair long neglected and dilapidated sewer and stormwater mains in the Allen Street and Overlook-McKinley Avenue areas. Residents Frank Chase, who organized his neighborhood, and Andrew Pope shared the conditions including possible loss of insurance and thousands of dollars in personal expenses. The Allen Street problem led to six floodings on Allen, Hampton, Newbury Eton Place, Brighton Street and Roxbury Road from last July through December. Engineering work is supposed to be completed by fall to issue bids for improvements. At issue now is securing the necessary funding for the improvements. Gayle Sanders Connelly (Stanley Street), a former Board of Education President, also said there are issues with water from the trail construction in her neighborhood including basement flooding.

Education : The Board of Education’s (BOE) proposed budget basically covers contractual obligations and results in the elimination of about 80 teacher assistant positions but will require additional local support to avoid further cuts. One time post-pandemic funding allowed the school district to scale up supports for students but it is going away this year. Board of Education Member and Ward 4 resident Diana Reyes pointed out that New Britain is third from the bottom in terms of local aid per student and that advocacy will be needed at the state and local (Council Budget Hearing) to make support for schools more of a priority than in past years. The BOE’s proposed budget and plan can be found in the link below.

Other issues:

Alderman McNamara said tax breaks for developers and businesses are necessary to spur development but that the city has not received enough community benefits for the 26-year abatements for luxury downtown housing granted in recent years.
Gayle Sanders Connelly and others said targeted communication (reverse 911s, alerts) is needed in neighborhoods when there is police activity and emergency public works activity is occurring.

Attendees at the meeting included former Alderman David DeFronzo and Democratic Town Committee Chair and former Alderman Chris Anderson.

Rev. Dr. Jonathon D. Counts and trustees Sam Simmons, Brian Simmons and Kemry Israel of Spottswood AME Zion Church were thanked for opening their Fellowship Hall for the meeting.

Another constituent meeting for Ward 4 will be held in May at a time and place to be announced.

Links and References

Link to Common Council Schedule and Meetings

Batterson Park Study January 24 2024 (CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection)

Board of Education 2024-2025 budget plan (January 2024)

For more information:

John McNamara 860-416-0665 john.mcnamara@newbritainct.gov

McNamara Calls For Accelerated Action On Storm Water Issues In New Britain’s Ward 4

Democrat John McNamara, a candidate for Ward 4 Common Council in November 7th municipal election, is urging the city to accelerate work on drainage and sewer main problems in Ward 4 and throughout the city in the aftermath of repeated flooding in neighborhoods during 2023.

“Every year for the last half dozen years funding has not been found or has gone elsewhere” said McNamara. “The city has not used available funds to fix the system’s biggest trouble spots. Residents should not have to wait another five years or more.”

McNamara cited flooding and property damages that have occurred five times in his own neighborhood on streets between Allen Street and Roxbury Road in 2023. “I have talked to residents in other neighborhoods in the ward and they have confirmed the dilapidated storm water and sewage drainage system has caused many problems.”

McNamara cited a five-year (2016-2021) analysis of natural hazards completed for the city that concluded: “Drainage infrastructure and water and sewer lines throughout the City need major upgrades……. Undersized pipes result in flooding, sewer backups, system leaks, and other problems.” According to McNamara , city officials began acknowledging the deterioration of the drainage and sewer system more than 30 years ago but bonding, state and local funds have largely gone to other capital improvement projects.

In a recent post on critical infrastructure needs in the Allen Street and Overlook Avenue areas McNamara wrote “improving the sewer and storm water system at two of its weakest points, has not been given a high priority. While other infrastructure projects have gotten attention and money in recent years, officials have told residents that they are waiting for the allocations to implement their sewer upgrades. In fiscal year 2020, for example, reconstruction of Allen Street was slated for action in 2022 at a cost of $5 million to be paid by a combination of state, federal or local funds. In the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) adopted with the municipal budget last June, the Allen Street project was put off again to 2027-2028 at an estimated cost of $6.7 million.

McNamara said the city has committed $6 million to upgrades in Allen and Overlook neighborhoods because of extreme weather in response to neighborhood complaints but has failed to use sufficient bonding or a portion of the $56 million in American Rescue Plan (Pandemic) funds to accelerate the city’s FLUSH Initiative estimated at a cost of $90 million. “Taking 20 years to implement the FLUSH program is too long to wait for homes and neighborhoods in the city’s most severe trouble spots,” said McNamara who called for more transparency in the information being provided to the public on the FLUSH program.

Saying extreme weather is a growing threat to property values and the health and safety of residents McNamara called for four steps over the next two years:

Put storm water system upgrades at the top of the city Capital Improvement list.
Use state and federal funds and bonding fairly to replace storm and sewer mains.
Increase maintenance to prevent flooding and sewer backups.
Build green infrastructure to sustain homes and neighborhoods.

Paid for by McNamara 4 Council Committee. Patricia McNamara, Treasurer. Approved by John McNamara. (Labor donated)