February 3, 2005

DILLON BILL COULD BRING RELIEF TO HOMEOWNERS

Angela Carter, New Haven Register Staff

NEW HAVEN — Homeowners whose foundations, porches and outdoor walkways are cracking and shifting in the Beverly Hills section of Westville could get some relief if a bill proposed by state Rep. Patricia Dillon, D-New Haven, becomes law.

Dillon has proposed legislation that would make affected homeowners eligible for state aid and either loans or grants from foundations established by bank conversions from a mutual to stockholder form of ownership.

Funds would help with repairs.

The General Assembly’s Select Committee on Housing Tuesday raised House Bill No. 6095, An Act Concerning Eligibility for Assistance, Grants and Loans for the Beverly Hills Section of New Haven, allowing it will be scheduled for a public hearing on Feb. 15 or 17.

Dillon encouraged residents to keep those dates open until the schedule is finalized. "I’m very excited the committee has decided to do this," she said. "I’m trying to have people who know what they’re doing to come up with a plan to help these folks."

Located near the West River, property owners along Westerleigh Road, Ramsdell Street, Green Hill Terrace and Lawncrest Road have water seeping into their basements. Cracks are spreading in the foundations of their homes and the floors of their garages and portions of houses are separating from each other.

They have been meeting since late summer 2004 with city officials and other experts to identify a cause.

City Engineer Richard Miller said he has visited some of the homes. "I am befuddled about why those houses are settling," he said.

Some residents remember a stream in the area but Miller said he has not seen evidence of one either through maps or observation, but one could have existed.

It also is possible that tree stumps were buried in the area before the houses were built about 50 years ago.

If so, the stumps could be rotting, causing houses to shift.

There also is no indication of cracking in sewer pipes, he said. "It’s hard for me to give these people real good answers. I don’t believe it’s a city issue at this point in time," Miller said.

Beverly Road homeowner Kathie Hurley said several neighbors are planning to review the bill at a community meeting then attend the hearing.

"We need to find the reason for it. Having a public hearing will get the dialogue going. Pat is a great public servant. She really listened to us and sat down with us," Hurley said.