St. Pat's septic generates concern

MILFORD - They asked about the height of the steeple, the dust and noise of construction, but the turkey mound and drainage were the big thing on the minds of neighbors of the new St. Patrick’s Church Monday evening. At 80 feet in length and 17 feet high, the mound crowds the alley pavement at the property line. The system was designed to serve a new church and will accommodate 400 worshippers. Coming before the borough council, Karen and Jeff Glick acted as spokespersons for several neighbors who signed a letter of concern about the new construction. The Glicks’ home is at 206 East Catharine which is downslope of the church property. While they currently have no drainage problems on their property, Karen Glick said she has noticed “a drop in the property,” since the rectory was moved. The rectory was situated on the building site for the new church. Glick said she and her husband had taken their concerns to a construction manager at the church. “He told us we would have no recourse if we didn’t notify you before the church is finished.” Jeff Glick said he wanted to document that his basement is now dry. “What if I do get flooded? Who can document that it’s dry now?” he asked. “We’re not going to let that happen,” said Councilman Robert “Beau” Fean. Six 600 gallon retention basins are being installed around the project to help prevent runoff problems, he said. ”The project manager sent us here,” Karen Glick said. Klemeyer said the manager’s directing the Glicks to the borough was “really inappropriate,” for a neighbor issue. “We don’t want to become the court of first resorts,” he said. Father Gerald Mullally said the Glicks have not contacted him. The turkey mound is admittedly an unavoidable eyesore. Outlining letter concerns against the church’s step-by-step planning efforts, Mullally said each of their other concerns has been addressed. “We want to be good neighbors,” he added. In other business the council received notice from the planning commission that a special meeting of the commission and consultants to discuss a proposed curative zoning amendment would take place at 6:30 p.m., prior to the commission’s regular 7:30 p.m. meeting. The topic relates to the controversial development of several lots off Seventh Street and an unopened section of Sarah Street.