Borough tackles flooding crisis with urgent infrastructure upgrades

In a recent borough government meeting, officials addressed the pressing issue of stormwater management following two intense storms that caused significant flooding in the community. The discussions highlighted the inadequacies of the existing stormwater infrastructure, much of which dates back to the 20th century, and the cumulative impact of runoff from surrounding areas, particularly into Toni's Brook.

Officials acknowledged the challenges posed by climate change, which has led to more frequent and severe weather events. They emphasized the borough's ongoing efforts to upgrade stormwater systems, particularly during road resurfacing projects. Recent improvements include the installation of new storm drains on Sherman Avenue and a new outlet near Benson Street. However, officials noted that progress has been slower than desired, largely due to reliance on state funding.

To better understand the impact of severe storms on local infrastructure, the borough plans to conduct outreach this fall to gather data on flooding experiences from residents. This initiative aims to inform future studies and funding requests at the county, state, and federal levels. Additionally, collaborative discussions with neighboring municipalities, Bloomfield and Montclair, are underway to coordinate responses and studies related to stormwater management.

The meeting concluded with a call for continued communication and engagement with residents to address the ongoing flooding issues effectively.