Roselle to spend $1,800 to help alleviate flooding

Roselle trustees on Monday voted to spend $1,800 to help alleviate flooding at a home that took in thousands of gallons of water during heavy rains last July.

But officials were careful to point out that funds only would be spent on village property, which also would help other homeowners.

Anthony Tumminaro, who lives on east Pine Street, suffered severe flooding last summer and also in September 2008. In July, Tumminaro said more than 100,000 gallons of water amassed in his yard causing sewage to damage to his home and destroying his garage.

Now the village will spend approximately $1,800 to make Roselle's storm sewer available to Tumminaro through village right-of-way. Public Works Director Rob Burns said Tumminaro now is responsible for building a drain in his backyard that will connect to the sewer.

Although Tumminaro will receive the most help from this change, Village President Gayle Smolinski said neighbors also will see less flooding.

“This isn't just going to help him, it's going to help people around him, Smolinski said. “It's just that he's the low man on the totem pole.

Trustee Kory Atkinson was the only trustee who voted against spending on the storm sewer connection. He argued he was uncomfortable without more information about whether Tumminaro's end of the work will be up to village standards, despite Burns' assurance that he would “work with him closely, from A to Z.

“Are we confident his work will meet our requirements? Atkinson said. “I think we need to develop standards before we start handing out money.

To answer this question and the larger issue of how much Roselle should help residents with flooded homes, trustees debated creating guidelines for similar aid in the future.

“For 25 years the village has dealt with this as situations arise … but this is not as easy as our sidewalk policy, where if you build in the village you must put in a sidewalk, Smolinski said. “This is another animal.

Trustee Terrence Wittman said many flood situations are unique and, because of this, the village would be forced to return to case-by-case evaluations despite guidelines. But Trustee Kory Atkinson countered that guidelines are a key starting point.

“I think it's important we have a policy so we don't appear arbitrary to our residents, Atkinson said.

Officials directed Roselle village staff to draft guidelines for consideration at a future meeting.