Drainage, Traffic Top Concerns for New Washington School Lot

Plans for an additional parking lot at Washington Avenue School were discussed Wednesday, as school board members and residents addressed concerns over the traffic configuration and drainage layout.

A part of the District of the Chathams regular Board of Education business meeting, the talks concerned the logistics behind a project that would add approximately 20 parking spaces near the main entrance of the school.

“We’re waiting for the Planning Board to tell us what information is required and what needs to be presented to them,” said District Business Administrator Peter Daquila.

At the moment, the work remains in the planning phase, and according to Daquila, the district is waiting for Planning Board feedback and approval anticipated in September.

Additional work, including repaving, is required on the existing Washington Ave. School lots, but Daquila said that the work should wait until the plans are configured for the potential new lot, to have the same contractor complete both projects.

“We’ve determined to wait and do the project at once,” said Daquila. “We met with a contractor for the paving and the possible additional lot, who said that (work now) may (just) create an unnecessary seam.”

The earlier meeting with a contractor was to obtain an appraisal for the work so the district can prepare to budget accordingly when the time for bidding out for contracts come around.

If all goes accordingly, said Daquila, construction may begin in November, around the time of the Teachers’ Convention.

The district plans to review proposals or use a state contract.  

Holistic Concerns

During the public portion of the meeting, Joe Basralian, chair of the township’s Open Space Committee, brought up three glaring concerns over the possible project.

“First, in terms of safety, it’s a bit concerning with the (traffic) lineup (at Washington), wrapping twice a day,” he said. “There’s two areas of cars, and it may become a hazard…it could be an accident unless there’s a change.”

His second concern pertained to the potential lot’s water flow, as according to him, it would equal approximately five backyard swimming pools’ worth of water flowing into the storm drains and nearby backyards.

“I think we can enhance the educational and environmental component of this project,” said Basralian. “(The answer could be) well-placed rain gardens. And I’d be happy to assist with something like that.”

His third concern was how lots are buffered from the nearby neighborhoods, to maintain the township/borough’s “beauty.”

“I think we’re under-resourced on buffering,” said Basralian of other school lots. “And we can do a lot better with the help of volunteers.”

Daquila then contributed to the debate by saying that the sidewalk of the potential new lot would wrap toward the back end, away from heavy vehicle traffic.

“These are the things we’ll look at and address before submitting to the Board,” said Daquila.

Furthering the debate, Chatham Township Committeewoman Kathy Abbott spoke during the public portion to discuss drainage plans for a new lot.

With her, she brought a drainage plan from one of the District’s schools from 1999, continuing to emphasize the importance of effective oversight when dealing with storm water. 

“Lot grading is very important,” she said. “Hopefully the professional (hired) is good with storm water management, and doesn't shoot it into storm drains, because that’s not sound, especially as we’re trying to replenish our aquifers. They should show where the rain water is going."