Farrell property
To the Planning Board,
I’m writing concerning the proposed development at 107 Williams St.; I’m an abutter, living at 113 Williams St. My family has been in this house since my grandfather bought it in 1910;
we’ve owned it outright, without a mortgage since 1913. Five generations of the Farrell/Yeski family have lived here.
My main concern is water. The property at 107 was elevated many years ago. Fill was brought in, raising that property above mine. What sits on 107 Williams now is a small house, and
garage. There’s enough permeable area— earth and green space —to absorb water. However the development as proposed will cover most of the (elevated) property with buildings and
a parking area. So, where will the displaced water go? It, will drain down onto my property.
My property already has serious water problems that began when the City View Condominiums were put in in 2004. The condominiums sit along the railroad track, behind (and uphill) from
Williams St.. The storm water drain ditch and pipe on that property takes run-off to the sewage plant on Hockanum, it isn’t hooked up to the Williams Street drainage system.
My property began flooding during heavy rains after the condos went in. In response, the city put in a sump pump system which I’ve been required to maintain. So far I’ve replaced the
pump three times at a cost of $150.00 each time. I also pay for the electricity to run it.
If the development goes forward as planned I want two things: the developer to erect a 6’ stockade fence between my property and the condominiums; and I want the city/developer to have
the drainage system at 107 designed/constructed so it can accommodate the excess water—what’s there now, and what I expect will be more in the future— on my property at 113 Williams.
I shouldn’t have to bear the responsibility and burden of maintaining an inadequate drainage system on my property; that is a responsibility for the city. If 107 is developed into
condominiums, it seems like the perfect time to address this long-standing problem on my property, a problem created when the city allowed City View to be built without adequate storm
water drainage capacity.