SEVEN FIELDS — Yet another municipality has joined an effort aimed at reducing the impact of flooding in the lower Connoquenessing watershed.

Seven Fields Borough Council on Monday approved a resolution to join a coalition of municipalities in southwestern Butler County looking at the best ways to implement stormwater mitigation efforts suggested last year by an engineering firm.

The group, which includes 10 municipalities, previously agreed to a study by the firm Herbert, Rowland & Grubic, in which the firm examined hot spots of flooding in the communities and suggested changes that may help stem the tide of flooding.

In addition to Seven Fields, the coalition includes Adams, Cranberry, Forward, Jackson, Lancaster and Penn townships as well as Evans City, Harmony and Zelienople.

Along with approving the resolution, borough council agreed to contribute $2,000 to the coalition’s newest study, out of which will likely come an agreement on how to move forward with the suggestions.

Borough manager Tom Smith said while Seven Fields will likely see little benefit itself from the stormwater coalition, the group could very well benefit the municipality.

“This isn’t just for the stormwater,” Smith said. “This is something, probably for the future, as southwest Butler County continues to grow — maybe for fire services, maybe police.”

Smith added Seven Fields has historically “participated in these types of regionalization efforts,” framing the municipality’s participation as being “a good neighbor.”

Council expressed mixed feelings about Seven Fields’ participation, with Councilman Michael Trotta saying it’s “interesting” the municipality — with a fraction of the population of some of its neighbors also participating — will contribute the same amount of money toward the new study as its neighbors.

Jeff Smouse, the newest member of council, said he had concerns over the financial cost of participating, particularly as Seven Fields will likely not develop any further and development on its border is stalled. Smith said the borough can examine the possibility of leaving the coalition if costs increase, but emphasized the group’s potential for issues beyond stormwater.

Borough engineer John Balewski said Seven Fields, being higher in the watershed than some other municipalities, likely could make large changes downstream with slight alterations to its stormwater management.

“Your two detention ponds can make a huge difference, downstream, to the rest of the communities, with minor improvements,” Balewski said. “They’re already in place; they’re already there. Minor improvements could have a huge effect downstream at really reducing flooding.”

All four members of council present approved the resolution.