GREENVILLE Resident seeks answers to problems with flooding

College signs got council approval.
By LAURI GALENTINE
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
GREENVILLE, Pa. -- Flooded basements, buckled sidewalks and sinking houses are common sights this summer with all the rain, especially for those who live in flood plains.
Robert Perrottti doesn't. In fact, he lives halfway up a hill and that's why he says it shouldn't be happening in his neighborhood.
Perrotti told borough council Tuesday there have been three major floods in his North High Street neighborhood this year, and he thinks it's because of inadequate storm drains.
He said he's had up to 20 inches of water in his basement at one time. One of his neighbors had water gushing through broken concrete in his basement, and another's house is sinking, Perrotti said.
"Every time we get a good heavy rain it washes the soil into that sewer," said Perrotti.
Not living in a designated flood plain, Perrotti said that when he tried to buy flood insurance several years ago, he was told he wasn't eligible, so he and his neighbors have to figure out how to deal with the expense themselves.
Sidewalk problems
Perrotti said he just received a letter from the code enforcement officer telling him to fix the sidewalk in front of his home.
He said that he repaired the sidewalk four years ago, but that the water keeps washing it away.
Perrotti said he has an official letter from the former borough council agreeing that the borough is responsible for any repairs to the sidewalk because of flooding.
Borough manager Vance Oakes said engineers were in that neighborhood recently and found nothing wrong with the storm drains there.
Councilwomen Pamela S. Auchter asked for a copy of the letter to take before council's street committee.
Council President Pete Longiotti said council will "look into it."
Thiel College signs OK'd
A resolution approving signs at Thiel College that was put on hold at the July meeting because of a councilwoman's objections was unanimously approved.
Joanne Gibson Price wasn't happy about the flashing pedestrian signs Thiel College administrators wanted to put up along College Avenue because one of them would have been visible from the front of her home.
Nothing was said about how the problem was resolved, but it was Price who called for approval of the measure.
Council also voted to advertise for the sale of two parcels of borough property. Bids will be accepted for the lots located at 17 and 19 S. Front St.