Comprehensive Drainage Study Approved by Selectmen

The Selectmen supported plans by Town Administrator Thomas Younger and Department ofDirector Gino Cresta to solicit bids to do a townwide "comprehensive" study of storm water drainage issues.

Swampscott suffers from widespread flooding from inadequate storm water drainage.

Cresta said the town has invested about $6 million, much of it from low interest federal and state loans, in improving the town water lines. But it has not devoted much investment to the sewer system or the storm water drainage system. 

Selectman Barry Greenfield urged the approval of a study, saying the town has to know the extent of the problems in the underground infrastructure before it can decide how it will fix it.

"We have to understand the problem before we can do something about it," Selectman Jill Sullivan said. "The recommended fix may be over 10 years." 

Younger said he and Cresta would develop a proposal for bids in the next month and bring it back to the Selectmen for approval. 

The study would have to be approved by Town Meeting next spring, Younger said.

Sign up for Swampscott Patch’s daily newsletter, “like” us on Facebook and “follow” us on Twitter to get news, blogs, announcements and events.

Want to share your opinions with your community? Start your own blog here.