Inside City Hall: Keeping up with Mother Nature presents challenges

Another year is coming to an end. It has been a year controlled by Mother Nature once again. It has been an unusually wet year and was enhanced by a 3-inch rain in March, which caused a lot of flooding. The City crew was very busy during the whole week trying to help homeowners with the overwhelming flooding. Although everything was done to help the homeowners, not all were saved of the inevitable water coming into their homes. 

Some of the homeowners thought that they were prepared for anything like the flooding we received. Last year was a very wet year also. There were a large number of sump pumps running to the streets for an extended length of time this year. The City ordinance states that it is unlawful to discharge any storm water or ground water into the City’s sanitary sewer system. Last year, the City implemented a permit to allow homeowners to discharge their sump pump system into the City sanitary system. There is a small fee charged to the homeowner for the permit. It is a small price to pay to help prevent any water inside the home.

The reason for the permit to be created was to help prevent water being pumped onto sidewalks or streets during the winter months. It seems like winter comes sooner and sooner every year. The pumps would create icy spots all through town, which creates extra work for the City crew. It also costs the City more money to keep the supply of salt on hand to treat these areas. The City does its best to clear and maintain the streets in town. Over the last two winter seasons, it has been a big challenge to try and keep up with Mother Nature.

The City crew will be prepared to clear and maintain the streets again this winter season. Things should go well as long as you are prepared, too. As always, snow alerts will be announced. If you are prepared to move vehicles off the roads for the City crew to plow the streets, it will make our job a little easier. If you are prepared for the unforeseen rain events during the winter that can happen, it should make your life a little easier also.

Let’s hope that Mother Nature is a bit kinder to us this winter season. Have a great and safe winter.