Clark County Drainage Board hears two complaints

Clark County

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May 3, 2012

Clark County Drainage Board hears two complaints

Both issues originate from Sellersburg

By BRADEN LAMMERS braden.lammers@newsandtribune.com The News and Tribune Thu May 03, 2012, 09:01 PM EDT

JEFFERSONVILLE — Two drainage complaints were brought before the Clark County Drainage Board on Wednesday.

One related to an issue recently brought before the Sellersburg Town Council for two residents who sought connection to the town’s sewer system.

However, an issue is that the two residents reside outside the Sellersburg town limits and are part of an ongoing disputed annexation area.

Several issues were brought up at a recent Sellersburg Town Council meeting when the hook-ups were requested. Among the issues were the installation of a private sewer line in a public right-of-way, concerns over liability for the lines installed and the lift station, as it currently exists, is at risk of being overwhelmed with the addition of the three homes.

The homeowners attended Clark County’s Drainage Board meeting because of stormwater from the Hill and Dale Subdivision running onto their property. Water is coming from the subdivision, which is in Sellersburg, under Alabama Avenue, and onto their properties.

One of the property owners, Brenda Eckert, is rebuilding her home and wants to have the drainage diverted before construction of her home begins. Matthew Scott, another St. Joe Road resident, said so much water has come onto his property it has created pools of water, geysers and caved in portions of his backyard.

Eckert and Scott asked the drainage board for help, or ask Sellersburg to pay for a drainage pipe to divert the water around their homes.

“If they gave me money for the pipe, I’d put it in the ground,” Scott said.

He said the cost for the pipe is about $1,500.

The drainage board agreed to write a letter to Sellersburg and to contact its Municipal Works Director Ken Alexander to help reach a resolution.

Another drainage issue brought before the board is related to the installation of a neighbors koi pond.

Jeff Dimmitt said drainage has started to back up in his yard, off Gutford Road, because when a neighbor installed a pond, the dirt and a drain installed that backed up against a fence dividing the properties has stopped the runoff.

Clark County Surveyor David Blankenbeker agreed that the changes have diverted the natural drainage runoff.

“In my opinion that is blocking a natural drain; a natural surface watercourse,” he said.

The drainage board agreed to contact Clarksville and the homeowner to restore drainage.