The Butler School District has received approval from the Butler Township Planning Commission for renovation and new construction at the Northwest Elementary School on Route 68. Neighboring residents have not objected to the new construction, but have asked that some worsening problems and reoccurring concerns be addressed — and that corrections be made — during the construction process.

Neighbors embrace the idea of the renovation and construction of a multi-purpose room; some of these residents have children attending school at Northwest Elementary and know the need for such construction.

While residents of Staley Avenue have asked that parking issues and school bus traffic be taken into consideration, several residents along South Duffy Road have asked that water drainage from the Northwest Elementary property be corrected to prevent further damage to their backyards.

During the township planning commission meeting on April 1, after the drainage problem was discussed and residents voiced their concerns, planning commission members and school district representatives agreed to look further into this situation by inspecting the area. At this time, the proposed construction and renovation were tabled.

Butler Township Commissioner Sam Zurzolo visited my property at 145 S. Duffy Road on April 8. Zurzolo agreed that the drainage was coming from the Northwest School property and could/would be corrected. He also stated that he would request that the township engineer visit the site and contact the residents so they could also be present.

When the engineer and school district representatives conducted this site visit, none of the residents were notified. At the May 6 township planning commission meeting is when the residents learned of the site visit by the engineer and school district representatives. It also was at this meeting that the residents were stifled from having any comments regarding the proposed "swell" as a correction to this problem.

The school district, along with its architect, proposed a "swell" that would direct water runoff into a retention pond. A "swell" is only a buildup of ground along with a French drain designed to capture runoff water from the hillside.

By the admission of the architect and school district solicitor, Tom King, this proposed swell area would fall short of capturing the drainage damaging neighboring properties along South Duffy Road.

My property has water ponding 4 to 6 inches deep in some areas; has swampy and soft, slushy areas; and water cutting a defined stream running down through the middle of my backyard and flowing underground, creating several sinkholes, some of which are 4 feet wide and 3 feet deep.

My backyard has been desecrated by this drainage and is not usable by my family. I also have had to take extra precautions in filling some of the recurring sinkholes so my pets don't get injured.

The neighbors of the school are asking for their say and for consideration regarding this situation. King and district Superintendent Ed Fink have continually said this project is good for the community as well as the children.

We don't dispute this. But these neighbors are tax-paying community members and deserve more consideration from the school district than ignorance and refusal to correct this water drainage problem.

Residents are not asking the school district to repair damage already done to properties, but merely to help in preventing further property damage and loss.

Residents along South Duffy are asking that this problem be revisited by the school district and the township planning commission to help in resolving it.

Fink has stated that the school district and Northwest School want to strive to be good neighbors with all the residents in the area. Good neighbors don't damage others' properties.