Larchmont Launching More Study of Pine Brook Floods

by Judy Silberstein

(October 20, 2004) For most Larchmonters, the fear of flooding has receded along with the waters from September’s hurricane-spawned storms. But for families living in low-lying areas, particularly those on Pine Brook Drive, the search for a solution to periodic floods continues. Eric Berg, whose Mayhew Avenue home backs up to a low spot on Pine Brook, has been appearing at Village of Larchmont board meetings to beseech the mayor and trustees to keep their attention on the problem. He is also concerned that the residents be kept up to date on any progress.

Contacted after the meeting, Mr. Berg said, “Without a doubt, there is a sense among the residents that something has changed. Bad storms that once left puddles on the street are now flooding the neighborhood.” Three or four times this year his backyard has become a pond and his basement hs turned into a swimming pool. Figuring out what is leading to the increased flooding, however, has been a challenge.

Last month, the board had the Pine Brook storm water tunnel videotaped, at a cost of around $8000. According to Trustee Mike Wiener, contacted for an update, there “are no clogs, no collapses, no sediment build-up -- all the things we were hoping we could fix easily.”

When this first study failed to locate the problem, the board requested a proposal for a second study from Dolph Rotfeld, the consulting engineer frequently employed by the village. The purpose of study number two is to understand what the principal issues are; what design volume needs to be accommodated; what solutions could be used to remediate the problem; and what are the estimated costs for potential solutions. “We’ve received and are currently reviewing the proposal,” said Trustee Wiener.

At the board meeting, Mr. Berg asked for an estimate of how long it would take before this next study got underway. Mayor Ken Bialo offered his optimistic view that the study could begin within two weeks – that is if everything works out in an optimal fashion, he cautioned.

In addition to the Rothfeld study, the board has begun conversations with Congresswoman Nita Lowy’s office about possible federal grant opportunities that could be helpful. And Mr. Wiener continues to keep in touch with New Rochelle on a project, long in the planning stages, to install and repair valves at Beechmont Lake, which could potentially control water headed downstream to the low-lying section of Pine Brook. He spoke with them again earlier in October to see if that process could be speeded up.

In the meantime, Mr. Berg and his neighbors will be visiting with the board to be sure the problem remains on the front burner.

“We appreciate that [fixing the problem] must be done in an organized and financially prudent manner,” said Mr. Berg, “But we will press forward with the important cause until the homes are protected. Until there is a solution, there will be no let up,” he added.