Neighbors and township spar over drainage after backyard pool installation; director vows fixes

Hamilton Township’s director of community and economic development told council on May 7 that township engineers have identified runoff caused by a residential pool and adjoining concrete patio that is directing stormwater onto adjacent yards, and said staff will take immediate steps to address the problem.

Fred Dumont presented a packet and maps to the council and described what his team found: a permit had been issued for a pool and additional concrete was installed that now acts like a dam, preventing water from flowing through the established drainage easement toward Broad Street. Dumont said his staff recommended cleaning the drainage easement, extending a PVC drain line farther toward South Broad Street and, where necessary, trimming or altering concrete features to help water escape. “We will correct this problem,” Dumont told the council.

The dispute centers on 12 Christopher Drive (owner Rocco, who spoke to the council) and 10 Christopher Drive (owner Flora Lee Lyle, who also addressed the council). Rocco said the first rains after the concrete went in left standing water that formed what he called a pool on his property and that the issue has continued for years. He said he spent roughly $3,100 on a contractor to try to mitigate the issue and worried about resale value and health risks from standing water. “It’s not just a puddle. It’s a pool,” he said.

Lyle told the council she had followed town directions when she installed the pool and patio, arranged additional channel drains and redirected roof downspouts away from her neighbor’s yard after earlier inspections, and that the town instructed her to add the new drain. She said she would extend the pipe further if that would help. Lyle described repeated inspections and said she felt harassed by frequent town visits and by neighbor complaints.

Dumont said his staff had examined the properties and that some of the building work exceeded the approved concrete footprint, creating a barrier. He told council that township public works staff would clean the easement and that engineering staff recommended extending the drain and adding stone or other materials to improve flow; any work on private property would require permission. Dumont also said the township would issue summonses where violations exist and would continue to work with both residents toward a solution.

Council members urged civility and cooperation, and several said public works and Dumont should coordinate an on-site plan and timeline. Councilman Papparo (as referenced in remarks) and others called for both sides to meet with staff before escalating to fines or litigation. The discussion closed with the council directing staff to pursue the easement cleaning and pipe extension and to follow up with the residents.

Next steps: Dumont committed to follow-up inspections, public-works cleanup of the drainage easement and attempts to extend the private PVC pipe to South Broad Street if permitted. He also said staff would return with further recommendations if the immediate measures do not resolve the runoff.