Moose Hill
Q & A
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125 "Storm" Drain
125 Retention/Detention Pond
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Q & A
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Lurking Danger
Dangers: Trees & Poles
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Danger: No Posted Speed
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The Real Skinny
How It Happened

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
 

Q. At the time of reconstruction, did the Town know of your concerns?
A. Yes, I spoke with onsite representatives of the Town, the contractor's expert grader ,as he was referred to by a contractors worker, and I delivered the attached Note a to a gentleman named, Bill. This was done in hand in a parking lot at Sharon Heights where I knew that his took his break.
 
Q. What were the Town's intentions... do you believe that they were willfully out to flood your property?
A. I do know from direct conversation that the Town WAS NOT going to expose themselves to dumping water onto the Sanctuary. That was a considered decision.  And they were apprised by me of the consequences to my property. So they willfully made a decision knowing the results to my property. There is no question that my property was subordinate to the Sanctuary's. So they willfully neglected my tax bearing property over the non-taxable Sanctuary.
 
Q. There is a drain on the corner of your property which is on your property. Was that always there?
A. No
 
Q. Well, how and when did it get there?
A. The drywell was added after MHP was completely paved and the berms were added. At the time that it was added, I was told that this was now the only relief from the water run-off flooding.
 
Q. Did this drain get placed between the reconstruction of MHP and Upland Road?
A. To the best of my recollection it did, but Im not completely certain.
 
Q. The drywell is on your property did they offer you and easement?
A. No
 
Q. Since it is on your property, who was suppose to be responsible for the maintenance of the storm drain, well cleanout, etc.?
A. The DPW workers said that they, the Town, was going to maintain the drywell and drain. 
 
Q. Have it?
A. No not in any manner that showed responsibility. On a couple of occasions, they have removed debris from the drain. If I am around, I always walk to them and chat.  I have become acquainted with some of them.  My issue isn't with them, but the The Town.  So, I am open with them; some are well aware of the damage which I am enduring.
 
Q. Upland Road did its reconstruction affect your property?
A. Yes, greatly. At first I could not tell why. In fact, I felt that I was just imagining the extra run-off. However, then I went out during rain storms and discovered that all of Upland Road's water, from the high point heading toward Moose Hill Parkway, now ends up on my property. The water flow is so great as to create ripples and extend about three to four feet from the berm.
 
Q. What are your observations?
A. I observe two things. (1) Berms were created along the entire stretch from the high point to MHP. (2) Upland Road rocks at the junction of Moose Hill Parkway which in essence dumps both sides of the Upland Road run-off on o the 125MHP side of Moose Hill Parkway. As this distance is about the same length (¼ mile) as 125 MHP to the intersection this rocking cause THREE TIMES the water to run down to my property.
 
Q. How would you characterize the situations?
A. First, I would say that the Town perfected an aquaduct that affects the same principles of  a flood control project in North Adams, MA or San Antonio, TX. They have channeled the water which has no escape until it reaches my property where the berm ends. In time, this area may "seal" and become a slow draining pond. Next, I'd say that the situation was needlessly created by people who refused to do the correct thing w/r/t/ natural grades. So, I'd say that it was poorly considered. In fact, I it seemed to me that some decisions were left up to the decisions of the "expert" grader from the construction company.
 
Q.  What do you see as a solution?
A.  Generally speaking, there are two possibilities of which there is both a physical and financial requirement.  However, each starts at the opposite end of the continuum.  I hold that the physical conditions that have been created by the Town, and the financial conditions created by myself STRONGLY FAVOR a financial settlement with just minimal clean-up and the assignment of on-going responsibilities.  Oppositely, The Town can rip up the road, remove the berms, and still have to compensate the past four years damages. 
 
Q. What happens if The Town doesn't accept either?
A.  Given reasonable provisions, I see no reason for them to not to proceed with the FINANCIAL SETTLEMENT. It provides the easiest solution; it provides a solution via proven real estate device, an easement; and it provides benefits beyond the issue by guaranteeing, via a worthy third party, on-going tax payment, the "adoption" of Moose Hill Moose by Sottile, who in close cooperation with the Town's DPW will save The Town money.
 
 
As stated at the opening page,
there is an opportunity to make two wrongs right.