BUTLER TWP — Shortly after approving one storm water project Monday, a new challenge arose.

Commissioners awarded a contract for $59,237 to Insight Pipe Contracting for 1,100 linear feet of pipe work along East Brady Street. The company submitted the sole bid received in May for the project.

Township Manager Tom Knights said the work will increase the diameter of the pipes to address stormwater concerns, which involve a slope leading down from Butler Memorial Hospital.

One case down, but another one walked through the door with photographs and witnesses.

Steve Bresnehan, a Butler Township resident and landlord, attended the meeting along with his wife and the tenants of a property he owns on Arlington Avenue.

Bresnehan said the property has had drainage issues for more than five years.

“Every time we have a major rain event, which happens every year, we have a major washout down there,” Bresnehan said.

He said last week's storms destroyed his driveway. He said he found chunks from the township's road in his yard.

“We had water in the front yard. We had water in the back yard. We had water in the side yard,” Bresnehan said.

Knights said there have been issues in that area in the past stemming from an excessive number of pipes draining to one manhole.

“All four drainpipes drain into this one manhole,” he said. “The manhole is a remnant of an old water collection system.”

Knights said work had been done in the area about three years ago, but the township can re-examine the situation there.

Commissioner Sam Zurzolo said he was unaware there was a problem there, and he agreed with other commissioners to look into it.

Bresnehan said he is frustrated by the length of time it has taken to solve the issue, and he was advised by his family's lawyer to speak to the township before taking any other steps.

Solicitor Rebecca Black advised against further talk on the issue because Bresnehan's comment created uncertainty in the legal realm.

“I saw some of the commissioners writing down notes,” Black said. “They said they would look into it.”