WARNING - Mosquito Spraying August 24

Tonight’s City Council meeting, August 21, was Standing Room Only. Many Woodstock residents showed up to express their opinions about the flooding two weeks ago and to make requests of the City.

The first resident to speak asked what the City intended to do about the mosquitos, and the response from the Council included the word, Adulticide. Mosquito spraying was conducted the day before the flooding, and it is scheduled for this Friday, August 24.

BE SURE to read online about Adulticide and make your own decision what to do regarding your own health. There was no mention of any hazard to people or pets, but read up on this and decide for yourself. If you have any health concerns whatsoever, find out effects now and safeguard yourself during the mosquito fogging that will occur on Friday. The Council gave no alert or warning to residents present about any possible adverse health effects.

Residents wanted to know what the real cause of the flooding was, not just that there was a lot of rainfall. The Mayor was very cautious in referring to “mitigating circumstances” and some clogging of sewers by activity of residents.

Residents asked for more information about these “mitigating circumstances.” Limited additional information surfaced. But there must be more to come.

Residents complained of high water in their homes, when neighbors had little or none. Some residents complained about recurring flooding, and one said she was tired of hearing that the City was “trying” to fix the problem. She wants action and results!

The City has contracted an engineering firm, Baxter & Woodman, to report at the City Council meeting on September 4 about the flooding. It is not expected that this will be a full report.

One resident, who bought her home four years ago, had five feet of water in her basement and a lake in her backyard. A building trades professional, who was familiar with her property, mentioned the possibility that neighbors’ wooden fencing had trapped water in her yard. From photographs of her property, it certainly appeared to me that her lake was the result of neighbors’ fencing.

I suggested that the Council report on the total estimated losses of residents, both as a preliminary finding and then refine it as time passes until it is considered accurate. I also suggested that the City mail a questionnaire to every household in Woodstock, asking questions about flooding, believed causes, and losses. The questionnaire should be published in the Woodstock Independent and the Northwest Herald.

Many residents reported sewer back-ups, including a 3’ spout of water out of a basement drain. They want to know what failed. Why did the City’s sewer system allow such back-ups and, just as importantly, what will the City do to prevent back-ups in the future.

An additional flood-damaged items’ pick-up may be scheduled. If you are in need of this, call City Hall immediately and let them know. Mayor Sager did comment that some residents took advantage of the City’s free pick-up to discard items that were not flood-damaged.

One resident commented on the City’s “mitigating circumstances” and mentioned that 12”-tall grass had been cut nearby on the day before the flooding, which his neighbors and he pulled from sewer grates so that the water could drain into sewers.

The City Council listened for over two hours and engaged in conversation with many of the residents who spoke. This is a departure from normal Council rules during the Public Comment portion of the meeting. I believe this meant a lot to residents, and perhaps it has set a precedent for future meetings.

More news in a future article.