BROWNSTOWN

There is just one drain along Elm Street in the area behind the visitors bleachers at Brownstown Central High School’s football field.

Heavy rains often cause flooding which could result in damage to school facilities in the future, officials said. The school and town have agreed that something needs to be done now.

When the area gets heavy rain, water goes over the curb and washes out the grassy area, which sends sand across the track toward the football field.

“It has been going on for some time and has progressively gotten worse,” said Harry Rochner, business manager of Brownstown Central Community School Corp. “There’s erosion, and sand is going onto the track. It’s damaging the track and could affect the football field if it continues to get worse.”

Rochner said the school has tried filling in the washed-out area in the

past, but it never resolved

the issue.

“It’s gotten to where we’re trying to get a permanent fix,” he said.

The town plans to repair curbing, install two more drainage grates on the east end of the street along the school parking lot and add a drainage pipe. Currently, there is just one drainage grate in the area.

“There has not been enough grates to carry the water,” Rochner said. “The worse rains you get, the bigger the problem. It’s when you have two- and three-inch rains at one time when it really becomes a big issue. It can’t handle the water, and it flows over the curb and

starts washing out (that area).”

Town officials recently obtained a quote of $14,733.40 from Bane and Warren Construction of Brownstown for the work. An additional $1,656 shipping cost for the drains brings the total

to $16,389.40.

Brownstown Council President John Nolting said he recently met with Rochner and Superintendent Greg Walker to discuss the quote and agreed to split the cost.

Before work begins, though, town council member Ben Lewis said it would be good to get a couple

more quotes.

“I don’t think (the quote) is out of line by any stretch of the imagination,” Lewis said. “I just think to keep things fair and balanced, we need to get another one or two. If we find one cheaper, I’m sure the school would be more than happy to pay less.”

Councilman Bill Sweeney agreed.

“It wouldn’t hurt anything,” he said.

Clerk-treasurer Dave Willey plans to contact a couple of other local companies to get quotes. Those quotes must be received before the school board meets Dec. 2 so trustees can discuss them. The town council may conduct a special meeting before that time to go over the quotes too.

The town and school have decided to start the project after Jan. 1 so that it fits into their respective budgets.

“I think (there) is enough time to get another quote or two before the January budget for us and the school,” Lewis said.

They also agreed to have town employee Dale Shelton and Mark Meadows with the school assess the work upon completion.