Resident urges action as longstanding flooding, sewage and encampments persist in Mill Creek area

Joseph Fitch, a resident of 346 Wyoming Avenue, told the Middletown Township Board of Supervisors during public comment that a neighborhood drainage problem has persisted for decades and now includes raw sewage backing into yards and what he described as a heroin encampment near Saco Park.

"We got raw sewage coming out of the septic lines, going into people’s yards," Fitch said, describing repeated flooding tied to development and silted culverts that, he said, prevent stormwater from draining into Mill Creek. He asked the board for a firm date for repairs after previous promises and inspections.

Chairman Kiesak and township staff said they have inspected the area with the township engineer and public‑works director, have a plan and placed the work on the construction list for this season, but could not provide a specific start date at the meeting. Staff noted some elements (culverts and certain bridge work) are outside township jurisdiction and would require coordination or funding through PennDOT or DEP.

Township engineer and public‑works staff said they identified low‑point fixes the township can install to remove standing water from local roads and that they will follow up with the resident with more specific scheduling information. Staff also said the township has pursued grant funding for larger basin work but has faced competition and limited success in prior grant cycles.

The board committed to follow-up and said public‑works would provide a firmer timetable once work orders are queued. The meeting record shows the township acknowledged the problem and confirmed the location is on the list for this construction season.