Village Refuses to Clean Flood Ditch on Marshall Street

There was a residents. It appears gone now after the council stood firm in its residents say worsens flood conditions.

The village government had previously told Marshall St. residents they would not clear the ditch for fear of setting a precedent, as it's private property.

Not so fast, the neighbors replied. The village created the precedent a decade ago, clearing the ditch around the time of Hurricane Floyd. Further, a resident said a drainage pipe running by the ditch could back up, adversely impacting Vets Field and in turn, Village Hall. The village is also awaiting a report on potential dangers of standing water from the Health Department.

In response, Village Manager Ken Gabbert said the authority to clean private property that had been granted more than a decade ago didn't exist today, although officials later conceded the council could clean it if they so chose.

Beyond that, money's tight, according to Mayor Paul Aronsohn.

"We're just limited in terms of funds," Aronsohn said. "Our hands are tied in terms of flooding and we're trying to get the most bang for our buck cleaning the Ho-Ho-Kus and Saddle River to the extent we can."