Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree Announces Elm Street Drainage Project Has Been Completed
(Saugus, MA) January 23, 2019 – Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree is pleased to announce that the Elm Street Drainage Project has been completed, alleviating long-standing drainage and flooding issues for residents on Alvah, Innis, and Elm streets. The project also included the pavement of Alvah Street, Innis Street, and a portion of Elm Street.
The Town Manager and Board of Selectmen brought this improvement project before Town Meeting two years ago as a solution to ongoing flooding and drainage issues that had been plaguing residents in this neighborhood for years. Finance Committee and Town Meeting demonstrated their support for the project, which is part of an ongoing effort to continue to make capital infrastructure improvements throughout the community.
This $1.2 million investment included the construction and installation of large drainpipes of up to 6 feet in diameter to redirect stormwater away from homeowners’ properties and into the Saugus River. There have been numerous heavy rainstorms since the project’s completion last summer, and residents continue to express that the improvement project has alleviated their flooding and drainage issues. The Town will continue to monitor the project throughout the coming years.
“We are proud to mitigate this decades-long flooding issue that has affected the Elm Street area. Some long-time residents of Saugus had been contending with flooding in their homes for more than 50 years, so we are extremely pleased to have resolved this matter and improved the quality of life for numerous Saugus residents,” said Town Manager Crabtree.
“We weren’t sure this would completely solve the issue, and we may have had to implement alternative solutions,” continued Town Manager Crabtree. “However, the project appears to be properly alleviating the issue for our residents.”
The new drainpipes have dramatically mitigated the prior flooding issues along Elm, Alvah and Innis streets. In addition, the Town of Saugus residents and visitors will now benefit from newly-paved roadways in that area.
The Board of Selectmen, Finance Committee, and Town Meeting demonstrated its uniform support for this important community investment during the 2016 Town Meeting, during which members voted in favor of the planning and construction of a drainage and catch basins project on Elm Street as part of the Town’s priorities and overall identified capital infrastructure needs.
“I would like to thank the Board of Selectmen, Finance Committee, Town Meeting, and residents of Saugus for their continued support of these important community initiatives,” concluded Town Manager Crabtree.
For more information, contact the Town Manager’s office at 781-231-4111.
About The Town of Saugus
The Town of Saugus, Massachusetts, is a family-friendly, historic neighborhood Town located along the north shore, ten miles north of Boston. First settled in 1629, Saugus is home to historic sites, top-tier public services, and a thriving business community. Strong community support, a forward-thinking approach to town government, rich recreational opportunities, affordable choices, and easy access to all the amenities that Boston has to offer – they all contribute to make Saugus a Town where businesses flourish and families make their home.
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