More on flooding/drainage/sewer issues in Lancaster: Part II: Sanitary sewer backups

[speakup]

At the same work session that the Steinfeldt resident complained about his flooding issues, Councilman Dan Amatura spoke on flooding issues that need addressing on Glendale, Parkdale and the Indian Pines subdivision. Yet what I found most interesting was the correspondence a Kennedy Court resident received from Erie County Division of Sewer Management Deputy Commissioner Michael J. Quinn, P.E. regarding sewer backups in her subdivision.

More...

[gorja]

Now, Warner Rd residents in Depew are being subjected to flooding and sewage back-ups into their basements on December 9.

Wonder if the Kennedy Ct residents had issues during that rain or have their problems been resolved?

[4248]

Supervisor Giza lives on Warner - he said those things don't happen.

Theres no water issues, sewer problems and no traffic issues either!
Bob said so!

Once again our Town Leaders have weaseled a way to make home owners liable!

All over Lancaster residents are seeing sink holes near drain tiles in their yards. Basement walls are cracking as homes settle in the wet earth. Sewer lines are shifting because of excess ground water and storm water intrusions.

Cant wait to see them explain how the new Cross Creek home owners are responsible when the Ellicott Creek sewer line pops up!!!!!!!

The Town Board has known about these issues for years - well for as long as Bobs been there. Stanley Keysa our x-Supervisor/Head of Planning is a water table, geology expert when it comes to Lancaster, he said so many times.

So how come we are having all these issues - if the planning and building was up to date and followed code????????????

Their not worried - they blame Global Warming, The County, The State and The Feds - last but not least - they can always stick the home owners. These guys are wizards at avoiding any accountability or responsibility!

They say, "Well the County approved it - the DEC approved it - the FAA approved it - The Government say we could be sued if we don't let them do what they want!"

Next fall we watch the show and the "Sons of Patronage" gain a few more jobs - and their tax fed committee rolls on!!!!!!!

[shortstuff]

I cannot believe it, those poor residents. Where is Kennedy Court? Now isn't Giza on the sewer board? What the hell is going on? It sounds to me that Giza & Co. hasn't a clue with what they are doing.

[fiona]

Actually I live in a 113 year old house in Lancaster and we recently started having problems with sewage backing up into the basement. We though it was our sewer pipes at first but then realized it only happens when it rains hard or the snow is melting. Taking a good look down into the grates on the street, you can clearly see that the pipes are saturated and full of gravel too. I was dreading the cost of having to dig up our pipes, but now I realize it's not our problem. When the ground isn't saturated outside, our sewage flows out perfectly well as it should.

[gorja]

From the Lancaster Bee-
Five Warner Rd residents went to the Depew Village Board meeting and complained about the sewer issue. They also complained about their frustrations over calling the DPW and having to speak to an answering machine. Then they called the Depew police and were told more neighbors would have to complain before the police could act.

At the meeting the Superintendent of DPW did provide the residents with a county contact number so they could receive immediate action in the future.

Part of the blame for the back-ups were 2 power surges at the county pumping station and tree roots clogging piping.

[4248]

I cannot believe it, those poor residents. Where is Kennedy Court? Now isn't Giza on the sewer board? What the hell is going on? It sounds to me that Giza & Co. hasn't a clue with what they are doing.

Click on either name below for directions and more info -

Kennedy Court is a part of Columbia Gardens - access off of Central Ave.

Heres a great selling point from their website:
Columbia Gardens
Homes from the $200's
Wooded and waterfront home sites.

They appear to calling lots that include the "Water Retention Basin" as "Water Front Lots" - also look at their project drawing:
Attachment 2918
Retention ponds are often landscaped with a variety of grasses, shrubs and/or wetland plants to provide bank stability and aesthetic benefits. Vegetation also provides water quality benefits by removing soluble nutrients through uptake. In some areas the ponds can attract nusiance types of wildlife like ducks or Canada Geese, particularly where there is minimal landscaping and grasses are mowed. This reduces the ability of foxes, coyotes and other predators to approach their prey unseen. Such predators tend to hide in the cattails and other tall, thick grass surrounding natural water features.

The Town of Lancaster is drained/filled by seven streams flowing from east to west. The watersheds are from north to south: Cayuga Creek; Ellicott Creek; Scajaquada Creek; Spring Creek; Plumb Bottom Creek; Little Buffalo Creek; and various branches of Slate Bottom Creek.
Many of which have been moved, rerouted or partly filled because of over building.

Ellicott and Cayuga Creeks carry the greatest volume as they originate in the hills of Genesee and Wyoming counties. Besides the natural water, 18 million gallons of water a year are pumped into Ellicott Creek at Genesee and Harris Hill Rd in Lancaster by a private company. Some believe it contributes to flooding especially in down stream areas.

The Town of Lancaster Government is aware of sewer issues, ground water and flooding in Lancaster. They don't admit or assume any responsibility for home damage or unusable land because of wetlands or flood plain areas.

Lancaster, NY is strictly a "Buyer Beware" Town.