Editor's Note: The following is one in a series of stories/opinion pieces on the upcoming levy election in Bridgeport. The stories are written and submitted by the City of Bridgeport

 

FROM THE CITY OF BRIDGEPORT

 

Stormwater Levy Information

 

On February 16, 2019, Bridgeport residents will have the opportunity to VOTE YES to continue their support of the City of Bridgeport Levy-Funded Projects. Over the next two months, we will publish six articles that will breakdown the levy to discuss how the monies are distributed. We hope citizens will continue to show their approval of the levy and the projects it supports and has supported in the past.

The Levy dates back 30+ years in Bridgeport and has provided, on average, an additional $1.5 million to our General Fund Budget each year. The monies will allow Bridgeport to continue services at the current and necessary level as years past. The proposed uses of Levy Funds are as follows:

 

A. To provide funds to maintain, operate, and improved the Bridgeport Parks & Recreation Department, $161,281 per year;

B. To provide funds to resurface existing city streets, $483,843 per year;

C. To provide funds to maintain and operate the Bridgeport Public Library, $241,922 per year;

D. To provide funds to construct, maintain, and repair sidewalks, $80,640 per year;

E. To provide funds for Public Safety – Police, Fire, and Emergency Services, $483,843 per year;

F. To provide funds for Storm Water Management, $161,281 per year.

 

The sixth and final article will feature Stormwater Management. The Levy will provide 10% of the funds toward supporting the budget of each of these departments for the next five years, for a total of $161,281 per year. 

 

Stormwater Management is the practice of ensuring the general health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of Bridgeport and protecting the quality and quantity of state waters from potential harm of unmanaged stormwater. The City of Bridgeport intends to continue their efforts in the expansion and upgrades of the dilapidated and undersized storm systems that have been placed by private developers in the past. We are continuing storm studies for the strategic placement of detention ponds that will achieve the capture of a storm’s first flush and lessen the impact of high velocity waters on homeowners’ properties.

 

The Levy money is utilized for upgrades to storm systems throughout City residential locations. The City has focused most recently on new installations of storm pipe at Garden Circle, Orchard Street to Virginia Avenue, Glen Avenue, Ventura Road, Easy Street, Sherwood Road, Briarcliff Road, Hall Street, Worthington Drive, and Stout Street. The City is looking to perform upgrades in the following areas within the next year: Brightridge Drive, East Shannon, Carriage Lane, Wayside Lane to Ashford, North Street, W. Main Street (in collaboration with the DOH) and various other locations.

 

The City reviews storm water management and floodplain requirements prior to projects being permitted.  For example, the new Johnson Elementary school was required to meet City standards regarding both parameters.  The construction of the facility had to include an underground detention system that collects the first flush of a storm (1” capture) and manages the post development run-off to that of pre-development.  Also, the City’s enforcement of the flood plain ordinance required that the school be constructed at 2-ft above base flood elevation, along with additional stringent design requirements to avoid disasters caused by flooding.   The April 2019 flood is an example of successful stormwater management actions that have been taken, and that have prevented otherwise disastrous outcomes. The underground stormwater storage detention captured the runoff from the site and released the flow at lower rate and volume than pre-development.  Also, the fill required to bring the school to 2’ above base flood elevation prevented the school from flood waters. 

 

In recent years, the City has made stormwater management a priority and will continue to do so for many years to come.

 

It is the hope of the City that all residents will vote YES on February 16, 2019 in support of the levy that funds so many wonderful programs, departments, and daily necessities.