Township awards Willowbrook Basin retrofit contract; residents press stormwater maintenance concerns

The Harris Township Board approved awarding Contract 24‑01, a Willowbrook Basin retrofit project, to EV Paving after staff presented the project scope and bid results.

Staff said the township had a $45,000 grant to support retrofit work and that the low bid of $29,975 was considerably below the high bid; the township had budgeted roughly $55,000 in total for the project including design. The work will retrofit an existing basin near the top lot on Andover (the western edge of Fasig Park) to improve retention and infiltration during heavy storms. Several residents described recurring yard flooding and expressed concern for safety around large pipes; staff responded the retrofit is a rain‑garden style basin with protected outflow structures and not a large pipe inlet that could create a hazard.

Residents also discussed the long-standing issue of failing homeowners-association responsibilities for basin maintenance in older subdivisions; staff noted that some basins were designed with the expectation of HOA maintenance and that the township has limited legal tools when an HOA is defunct. The board approved the motion to award the contract by voice vote.

Why it matters: the retrofit aims to reduce flooding impacts for adjacent homes and park property; residents asked the township to identify and address other failing basins in neighborhoods where an HOA no longer exists.

What’s next: staff will coordinate with the contractor on schedule and confirm design-submittal work to the grantor so the project can proceed.