Swampscott drainage talks waterlogged

SWAMPSCOTT – The dialogue of how to solve the drainage issues at the Vaughan Place property, the site of the proposed 55-plus independent living facility, continued at a public hearing Wednesday night.In response to some suggestions of how the development can ease some of the drainage issues, developer Ralph DiGiorgio, of DiGiorgio and Messina, said he wouldn?t be responsible for the repercussions of any attempts to calm the flooding in that area if he is able to build.?If I don?t develop on the property, the problem still won?t be solved,” he said. “I am not willing to take on the responsibility of a 100-year flood. It?s not my problem to solve for everybody else.”Board member Andrew Rose responded to DiGiorgio, “If you want to develop it, sometimes you?ve got to do off-site.”Board member Peter Spellios, acting as chairman, said DiGiorgio shouldn?t let the question of liability “cloud the dialogue.”Spellios suggested DiGiorgio “engage with Gino (Cresta, director of the Department of Public Works) and the town engineer to share your ideas to see if they agree. Just look at it, have a conversation with them between now and next time we meet. Come to a consensus with what you?re willing to do and that the town will be able to do.”Brad Silsbee, a resident of the neighborhood who claimed his home was most affected by flooding, said when he bought his home, he was told there were no drainage issues. He installed the only catch basins and pipes to aid drainage on the street himself, because the town told him it was his responsibility being his property.No decisions were reached on the issue, and the public hearing was moved to Jan. 23.Kait Taylor can be reached at [email protected].