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May 03, 2007
Last night's flooding meeting
Last night, I attended the second meeting of citizens who are concerned about the recent increase in flooding. The meeting was convened by and moderated by Vanessa Wood, who created the Darien Flooding blog. Approximately forty people filled the Library's program room, including First Selectwoman Evonne Klein, P&Z Commissioner David Kenny, and RTM Moderator Karen Armour. Jim Cameron was there to tape the meeting for TV 79.
Many citizens vented their frustration about the recent flooding and wanted to understand why it's happening and what can be done. Several expressed concern that the town is not doing enough to prevent flooding. Midway through the meeting, First Selectwoman Klein responded by outlining what the town has done thus far and what is still in the works. P&Z Commissioner Kenny explained P&Z's plans as well.
One audience member questioned whether the new Library building on the Post Road would increase flooding. In fact, the new Library site will not add run off. Instead, rainwater will filter through an innovative bioswale system into underground cisterns, where it will be slowly released. This system was engineered to meet 50-year storm standards and approved by Planning & Zoning, which asked the Library to install it as a demonstration project. Additionally, the Library has already cleaned up significant environmental contamination on the site, some of it going back decades.
By the time I left the meeting at 8:45 p.m. to close the Library, the group had not decided on a definite plan of action. Instead, they will be in touch by email and decide what to do next. When I left the Library at 9:15 p.m., clusters of people were in the Library parking lot, informally continuing the discussion.
Posted by EmilyW at May 3, 2007 01:55 PM