Resident urges township review of drainage after recurring erosion on 4th and 5th avenues

Chris Jeffords, a resident at 218 4th Avenue, told the board he has documented recurring concentrated stormwater flows, erosion and sediment movement along a drainage corridor that runs through several residential properties near 4th and 5th Avenues and Lovers Lane. He said he provided photographs and videos to township staff ahead of the meeting and asked the public‑works director and township engineer to inspect the entire drainage system rather than focus only on pipes crossing private property.

"Please have the September 8 review. Look at the whole drainage system, roadway inputs, pipes, outfalls, downstream structures, and the residential conveyance rather than focusing only on the portions that cross private property," Jeffords said, asking for a written engineering response that identifies whether roadway runoff and constructed drainage infrastructure were accounted for in the approved downstream analysis and, if not, who is responsible and what corrective path is available. He said his property is shown as downstream property owner number 12 in the approved plans and that a constructed drainage pipe is actively discharging into his yard.

Township staff acknowledged the request and confirmed the public‑works director and engineer are scheduled to visit the property and neighboring yards on Sept. 8. The board did not take formal action at the meeting; Jeffords’ request was entered into staff follow‑up and the resident said he will provide the copies of photographs and videos he referred to.

The matter raises two central points for the board’s engineering review: whether the downstream analysis for the approved development included roadway runoff and constructed drainage inputs, and whether the existing conveyance is adequate to protect downstream property owners.