HOWLAND Frustrated residents look to trustees for flood remedies

The township's attorney offered suggestions for finding help.
By ANGELA WOODHULL
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
HOWLAND -- Record-breaking rainfall has sparked about 18 frustrated township residents to petition trustees about remedying their repeated home flooding problems.
"There are serious drainage problems that have plagued Howland Township for decades," said Nick Macrinos, 34.
The Venice Heights resident estimated he lost $50,000 of business-related equipment in the seventh flooding of his basement-based home sales office.
"They need to open the drains and allow the water to flow through and triple the size of the drainage system. Dredging is the answer," Macrinos suggested.
Even though the property was regraded and elevated, nine additional floods have occurred at the Raccoon Drive property, Macrinos said.
Like many of his neighbors, Macrinos has concluded that the real problem stems primarily from over-damming, rather than from faulty construction.
"If it's my personal problem, then why can't I just solve it?" said Don Stark, a resident who balked when township administrator Darlene St. George explained trustees have no authority to alleviate problems that are "the responsibility of the homeowner because the flooding occurs on private property."
Powerless trustees
Trustee Richard E. Orwig repeatedly explained to frustrated residents that trustees are powerless when it comes to solving the problem. "We cannot do anything," he said. "I was threatened by two judges for helping area residents. I can't go on your property. I can't even tell you what to do."
The township's attorney, Rick Clark, suggested forming a neighborhood advocacy group and petitioning county commissioners for help.
"We are trying to help you get to the right source," St. George explained. "We have no jurisdiction over these flooding problems, but I'm happy to make phone calls for you."