Lawrence village seeks to solve its flooding problem

Flooding in the Village of Lawrence, in the area closest to the waterfront, has vexed residents for many years, especially at Meadow Lane and Marbridge Road.

To alleviate the chronic problem, or at least reduce the amount of water that invades community members’ homes, the village will look to install two large water pumps at a cost of nearly $80,000 that will move the water to the first hole of the golf course at the Lawrence Yacht & Country Club, where a 60-inch pipe will feed the water into Bannister Creek. Installation of the pumps requires approval from the New York State Department of Conservation.

“The water level will trigger the pump and there will be a discharge of water to the bay, bypassing the streets,” Michael Ryder, the village’s building inspector said.

Mayor Martin Oliner said that a formal study would cost “hundreds of thousands of dollars.” “The water has no place to go,” he said, “the pumps will keep it going.” The mayor said the village met with up to four pump companies.

Also at the Sept. 13 meeting, the Board of Trustees approved to move ahead with its part in the financing for the renovations of the Lawrence-Cedarhurst firehouse. The project is expected to cost $2 million and will be financed mostly by Lawrence and Cedarhurst villages — 96 percent — with the remainder coming from the North Lawrence and East Lawrence fire districts.

“They need it, no question about it, we’re just looking for the best deal for the taxpayer,” said Cedarhurst Mayor Andrew Parise, referring to the firehouse’s planned two-story extension that is expected to give the fire department the added space it needs to house the required larger sized equipment.

By a 4-0 vote, Lawrence trustees also approved an amendment to the village code to ban construction on Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays. Violators could be find up to $1,000.