Drainage project still drawing complaints

Jefferson Road residents press for alternate plan before Borough Council.

By: Jennifer Potash
   Jefferson Road residents returned to the Princeton Borough Council on Tuesday to press for an alternative plan for an ongoing drainage project in their neighborhood.
   Residents along Humbert Street and Jefferson Road have repeatedly complained about the construction project to borough staff and elected officials.
   The Borough Council agreed June 24 to many of the residents’ demands including an independent review of the plans by a professional engineer of the neighbors’ choosing and a meeting with borough engineering staff 10 days before the project’s completion date.
   The $348,000 drainage project is expected to relieve flooding problems on Humbert Street, Jefferson Road and Moore Street as a result of storm runoff at the nearby Princeton Cemetery. The project is unusual because much of the work is taking place on private property.
   But construction delays, largely from a wet spring, combined with weeks of living with muddy driveways and yards, pushed many residents June 23 to protest the project by blocking Humbert Alley, which runs between Jefferson Road and Moore Street, with their cars.
   Judith Budwig of Jefferson Road, whose property is adjacent to Humbert Alley, presented the council Tuesday with an alternate paving plan for Humbert Alley. Residents contend a drainage box was installed too high and has caused flooding in garages and gardens.
   Borough Engineer Carl Peters conceded there were some problems with the box and the borough is now seeking to remedy these problems, but he maintained it was not placed too high.
   He said the residents’ proposal needs to be evaluated and priced.
   Ms. Budwig said the residents’ proposal calls for a more pedestrian-friendly approach with less macadam. Residents also complained about through traffic ignoring signs at the top of Jefferson Road indicating the street was closed.
   Mayor Marvin Reed said police were monitoring the situation but would not give out traffic tickets without formal action by the Borough Council declaring the road closed. Mayor Reed asked the borough attorney to research the matter and would put the issue on the council’s next agenda.