Effort to Fix Harrison Brook Drive Flooding Moves Ahead

The Bernards Township Committee took steps Tuesday to address flooding on Harrison Brook Drive.

The committee approved ordinances for three drainage easements to allow for improvements that would address a runoff problem on the street. 

According to "Township of Bernards, NJ Flood Information," a FEMA document provided by the Bernards Township Engineering Department, "Harrison Brook has the smallest drainage area of the three water courses in the township, but its area is the most developed."

"Most residences in the Harrison Brook drainage area were built before the floodplains were delineated," the FEMA document states. "Stormwater detention practices have only come into effect in the last thirty years while most residences in the 100 year floodplain are older than thirty years."

This winter, the Township Committee decided to put $375,000 into repairing the Harrison Brook drainage system.  This money came from the $1.168 million in the Capital Improvements Fund, designated to restore portions of the town in disrepair.  

The council also introduced an ordinance that would place a parking time limit on Turner and West Craig Streets.

The ordinance stipulates that both streets have a four-hour time limit from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. This time limit would be in effect Monday through Friday, and run the entire length of both sides of the streets.  The public hearing regarding the  ordinance will take place at the next regularly scheduled Township Committee meeting, on Aug. 10, 2010.