Village balks at request for backyard damages

A Fredonia Plan Commission member is asking the village to reimburse him the $3,685 it cost him to replace a backyard shed, garden and bushes that were destroyed when a sinkhole appeared there.

The sinkhole appeared in Rudy McCormick’s back yard in May after more than seven inches of rain fell on the village.

The 10 to 12-foot deep sinkhole was caused by water flowing into a storm drain on his property.

According to a Sept. 1 letter from McCormick to the village, when the situation was reviewed in July by Public Works Director Roger Strohm, McCormick was told his shed there would have to be moved or destroyed to fix the sinkhole, which had continued to grow.

The sinkhole was finally repaired by Aug. 6.

“Not only did the contractor remove my shed and tear up more than 50% of my yard, the issue was worse than explained as they removed part of my raised garden and three of my lilac bushes,” McCormick wrote.

McCormick asked that payment be made within 30 days of receipt of the letter on Sept. 2.

At last week’s Village Board meeting, trustees weren’t receptive.

“I don’t see us paying it,” Trustee Joshua Haas said.

Trustees noted the shed that was destroyed was eight by eight feet and was replaced with a 10-by-12-foot shed.

“We’re not going to pay for an upscale,” Trustee Bill McLarty said.

Strohm said McCormick indicated the village would be doing him “a favor” by taking down the shed.

“That’s not the kind of thing I would do on my own,” Strohm said. “I would bring that to the board.”

Approving payment would set a precedent, Haas said.

“Then anyone could do this. Where does it stop?” he said.

Trustees directed Strohm to consult with the village attorney.