Several Flood Mitigation Efforts Approved By Westfield Council

WESTFIELD, NJ — Westfield saw some catastrophic flooding in previous storms — most recently with Tropical Storm Ida in September of 2021. In response to the town's stormwater issues, the town council approved a number of resolutions that aim to mitigate flooding in the town.

Councilman David Contract introduced three resolutions at Tuesday night's town council meeting that aim to mitigate localized flooding in Westfield. All three were approved unanimously by the council.

Mayor Shelley Brindle explained at the top of the meeting that following Tropical Storm Ida, the council formed the Westfield Infrastructure Resiliency Committee, which is comprised of Finance Chair Councilwoman Linda Habgood and Public Works Chair Contract, as well as town professionals and volunteer residents from each ward.

During the tropical storm, the town saw extreme flooding and three people even had to be rescued from the roof of a special needs school in town.

Read more: Westfield: School With 3 People Rescued Had 'Catastrophic' Flood

The committee has worked together to propose solutions for localized flooding in Westfield.

The first of the three resolutions involves hiring a contractor to conduct stream cleaning at Mindowaskin Park near North Euclid and Fairview tributaries. The town will use $230,000 out of their ARP funds to purchase stormwater equipment, Brindle said.

Contract also introduced a resolution to purchase a sewer camera to allow the Department of Public Works to look inside sewer drains to determine how well stormwater is being drained in the town.

Lastly, the council passed an ordinance to lease three front-end loaders for tractors to scoop any debris or material in the event of a storm.

Brindle said earlier this year, the Westfield Infrastructure Resiliency Committee visited Robinsons Branch with the Army Corps of Engineers and the Department of Environmental Protection to discuss ongoing flooding in the area.

Westfield was also added to the Rahway River Basin Flood Risk Management Feasibility Study, according to Brindle, which you can read more about here.

At Tuesday's meeting, the council also passed a resolution that authorizes an emergency purchase to repair Tamaques Way's sewer pumping station.

The full meeting can be viewed on Westfield's Facebook page.

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