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o-'~/ PAGGI. MARTIN & DEL BENE LLP
Consulting Engineers & Land Suroeyors
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54-56 Main Street
Poughkeepsie, New York 12601
914-471-7898
914-471-0905 (FAX)
T own Board
T own of Wappinger
P,O, Box 324
Wappingers Falls, New York 12590
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May 10, 1999
Attention: Constance O. Smith, Supervisor
Reference: Degarmo Hills Culvert Replacement
Dear Supervisor Smith & Board Members:
In finalizing the plans and specifications for the above referenced project, a
downstream inspection from the existing Degarmo Hills Road culvert was performed
by this office and the Highway Superintendent, The purpose of the inspection was to
check the condition of the stream, specifically in the vicinity of an existing residential
home located some 400:t feet west of Degarmo Hills Road.
This house, along with the surrounding 12.25 acres is owned by Mr. Robert and Doris
Haas. During our inspection of the stream, which traverses through the Haas property,
we stopped and spoke with Mr. Haas. We informed him of the proposed culvert
improvements and the purpose of our inspection. Mr. Haas then directed our attention
to an existing culvert, which he had installed to provide access to the rear of his
property across the stream. He also informed us that a New York State Department
Environmental Conservation (N.Y.S.D.E.C.) permit had been obtained for this culvert.
After speaking with Mr. Haas, we continued on downstream toward his culvert.
Approximately 200' before the Haas culvert a secondary stream, which drains a large
wetland on the west side of Degarmo Hills Road, combines with the stream from
Degarmo Hills Road. It appeared that the flow from the secondary stream was
substantial and that the Haas culvert as installed may not have the capacity to handle
the existing combined flow of both streams.
With the installation of the proposed culvert under Degarmo Hills Road, the flow rate
to the Haas culvert will increase, increasing the potential for a flooding condition.
Joseph E. PaW, Jr., P.E.
Ernst Martin. Jr., P.E., L.S.
Charles R. Del Bc.ne, Jr., r.E.
Constance O. Smith
Town Board
RE: Degarmo Hills
-2-
May 10, 1999
This office then proceeded to look into the history of the Haas culvert. In our files we
found preliminary and final plot plans for this property, as well as, a copy of the
NY.S.D.E.C. permit for the culvert. (Attached please find a copy of the plot plans and
per~it) .
Upon further examination of our files, we found that this office reviewed and accepted
the preliminary plot plan on July 13, 1994, subject to driveway and stabilization
comments, and a recommendation to raise the first floor elevation of house at least one
foot higher than proposed. In looking at the topographical information provided on the
preliminary plan, the recommendation to raise the first floor elevation would allow
approximately 9' elevation difference between the first floor and the stream bottom.
The final plot plan, accepted by this office on June 17, 1996, showed that the first floor
was constructed one foot higher, as was recommended. This as-built plan did not
indicate whether the culvert had been installed, but just the total area (56 s.f.) required
for the culvert, which was consistent with the NY.S.D.E.C. permit.
In order to determine what potential impacts that the Degarmo Hill culvert replacement
may have on the Haas property, we obtained additional field measurements along the
stream, at the Haas culvert and around the house. Also we acquired the manufacturer's
specifications on the culvert from Mr. Haas.
From this information, we found inconsistencies between the existing field conditions
and the preliminary and as-built plot plan.
The two discrepancies which concern us the most are the difference in elevation
between the first floor of the house and the stream bed elevation at the Haas culvert and
the waterway area of the existing culvert.
According to the as-built map, the first floor elevation of the house was shown to be
approximately 9' above the stream bed elevation at the culvert. Our measurement
shows only 6.5::l::'.
The N.Y.S.D.E.C. permit that was issued for the Haas culvert called for a culvert
waterway area of 56 square feet. The existing Haas culvert area is roughly 42 square
feet. The specifications for this culvert show that the total waterway area is 54.2
square feet. However, the culvert was installed with the bottom of the pipe being
buried 1.5 feet below the streambed as required by the N.Y.S.D.E.C., thereby reducing
the usable waterway area from 54.2::l:: square feet to 42:1: square feet. The culvert size
should have been increased to compensate for the area lost from burial.
.
Constance O. Smith
T own Board
RE: Degarmo Hills
-3-
May 10, 1999
With this reduced area and subsequent capacity of the Haas culvert, any increase of
flow from the Degarmo Hills culvert may cause water to backup and inundate a large
portion of the Haas property adjacent to the house.
. Since the replacement of the Degarmo Hills culvert will increase flow through the Haas
property, we feel further investigation is warranted and would ask for some direction
by the Town B081"d and Town Attorney on how we should proceed.
We would also like to discuss the other MOD project, which is the culvert
replacements on Regency Drive. It was the intent of this office to let both the Degarmo
Hills Road and Regency Drive projects out to bid as one project. However, if the
Town Board would like to proceed with the Regency Drive project at this time, we can
go out to bid for this project upon your authorization.
In order to discuss these matters further, we would please ask to be placed on the
agenda for the May 24th, 1999 Town Board meeting.
Thank you for your cooperation and assistance in these matters, and if you have any
questions, please do not hesitate to contact this office.
Very truly yours,
~L'iUk},
Charles R. Del Bene, Jr., P.E.
CRD:la'N
Enclosure
cc: Hon. Vincent Bettina, Councilman
Hon. Joseph Paoloni, Councilman
Hon. Joseph Ruggiero, Councilman
Hon. Robert Valdati, Councilman
Hon. Elaine Snowden
Albert P. Roberts, Esq.
Graham Foster