The 4-foot-deep pit in Tod DiMinno's backyard floods during periods of heavy rainfall. The pit was created after pipe work was performed years ago. DiMinno said the pit itself is a hazard and that one person was injured after falling into it in June.

HARMONY — Tod DiMinno has been living on Mercer Street for about 15 years.

Over the course of those years, he has lived with something potentially dangerous in his backyard.

A watery pit about 12 feet by 6 feet wide and 4 feet deep is in his yard and it has caused an injury this summer.

DiMinno said a man fell into the pit in June, causing injuries to his face and teeth which require multiple surgeries. He said the man’s injuries are being covered by health insurance.

“It could happen to anyone,” he said of people falling into the pit. “I think it’s a serious matter. It’s dangerous.”

DiMinno said he wants to know who is legally responsible for what he calls the “pit of death.”

Large stones line the sides of the pit, and a cage surrounds the mouth of a pipe that empties into it. The water runoff leads to another pipe halfway filled in DiMinno’s backyard which leads to railroad tracks.

A small, wooden bridge goes over the pit.

“If this (accident) were to happen again, would they come after me or the borough?” DiMinno asked.

Work on the pipe was performed several years to help alleviate flooding into his basement, which caused damage to his foundation. Dirt was removed in the process.

However, DiMinno said the pit still overflows during heavy rainfall.

Borough solicitor Matt Racunas said the borough would need to see a survey of the land to find out exactly what kind of pipe is going through DiMinno’s yard.

“The survey may indicate an easement or right of way or something like that,” Racunas said. “I haven’t seen the yard yet. We’d have to look at borough records to see if (the pipe) is ours.”

Councilman Dave Szakelyhidi said previous council members have looked at the hole.

“The borough rebuilt the one (line) underneath the street with county participation,” Szakelyhidi said. “But in the past, I’ve heard things like we can’t go on property.”

“This is the first I’ve heard of it and I’ve been on council for three years,” council vice president Don Sims said.

DiMinno said he ultimately wants the pipe to be extended and for the pit to be filled in.

“I don’t want to start trouble. I’m a peaceful person,” he said. “I just want the borough to fix the problem.”