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Derby resident Thomas Greene recently complained in the press about serious flooding problems on Bellevue Terrace, apparently coming from the Derby Transfer Station city property.
Derby Public Works Director Ronald Culmo says he has a plan to correct this problem, as plans are in the works to revamp the entire drainage system. As part of the (state DEP) permitting process, the city must also build a shed to cover waste containers, Mayor Tony Staffieri said, assuring neighbors there will be no effect on their properties.
Tom Greene should be pleased that his neighborhood flooding problems are, at least, getting some city attention.
The neighborhood at my Ashwood Terrace location is also suffering from continual flooding of our yards and basements and there is no City of Derby plan to correct our problem, as in the case of Bellevue Terrace, because of a reported lack of funding.
I spoke to Mayor Staffieri during the past week, and he told me there is no money to help Ashwood Terrace, with their flooding problems.
Several years ago money that was supposed to be used to correct Ashwood Terrace water drainage problems was used on other streets, instead.
Mayor Staffieri said he hopes that Derby (Economic) Development Director Sheila O’Malley can find some grant money that can be used to help Ashwood Terrace.
At this stage of our poor economy, that does not sound encouraging.
Ashwood Terrace flooding problems have been on “square one” for too long, already.
However, we have confidence in Mayor Staffieri to find a way to divert the waterflow coming from above — into the Muzyk, Biondi and Jemioto yards and basements — into a needed storm, sewer catch-basin.
The only storm sewer catch basin, on Ashwood Terrace, is located past the Jemioto property, facing Route 34, New Haven Avenue.
Ashwood Terrace needs water coming down the hill from Danielle Court diverted from Ashwood Terrace back yards and basements and into a storm sewer catch basin.
The Ashwood Terrace neighborhood is only asking to be given the same helpful flooding remedial consideration, which is now being given to Belleview Terrace neighbors with their flooding problem.
Stan Muzyk has been a Derby resident since 1936. He attended Derby and Shelton Schools. He is a former Derby Police Commissioner and served on the Derby Middle School Building Committee. He is currently on the Greenway Committee. He and his father, Stanley, Sr., both managed finance and food businesses in downtown Derby. He is a dedicated advocate for “what’s good for the City of Derby!”