Worries that the town plans to drastically change the Higgins Beach community were put to rest after residents and the town discussed options for improving drainage in the entire neighborhood.

About 120 Higgins Beach residents met with town officials last week to discuss what the project is and how to move forward. According to Town Manager Ron Owens, replacing the drainage system would be extensive, though that doesn’t mean anything else would change.

“There’s nothing in this that is changing the beach,” said Owens. “We don’t have any plans to change anything above ground.” He added that any other changes, such as adding curbs or wider streets, would be strictly up to the Higgins community.

The big problem, said Owens, is that a large portion of the original pipe lies under private property. Easements would be required from all properties directly over the old drainage line if the project were to go forward.

“It’s really going to be a difficult process,” said Owens. “It’s a real problem we have to face in a creative way.”

Based on a survey of the drainage system completed in 2000 and complaints from a number of Higgins Beach residents, the town asked DeLuca-Hoffman, a consulting engineer firm, to widen the survey and come up with a solution to flooding problems.

“There’s a lake every time we have a rain storm,” said Higgins Beach resident Faye Blaise before the meeting.

“We have incredible problems,” said another resident, Carol Turner.

The major problems brought up at the meeting were backed up sewers after rain, large areas of standing water in back yards and flooding in driveways and buildings.

According to engineer Stephen Bushey of DeLuca-Hoffman, these problems can be attributed to old and failing pipes.

“Higgins Beach has infrastructure that is far outdated and piecemeal,” said Bushey. He added that the key storm water line is in terrible condition, culverts are run over and filled in and that sporadic development over the years has only increased problems.

“Many of these pipes and cross culverts are undersized given the amount of development,” said Bushey, adding that the original piping is mostly clay and some portions may be collapsed.

“None of it is really conveying things,” said Bushey.

He added that a complete survey of the community’s drainage system is still needed before the project can move further. According to Bushey, DeLuca-Hoffman will run cameras through the old pipe to determine its condition. Once that is complete, an actual replacement plan will be made.

Though the specifics of what construction needs to be done are still undetermined, residents do not want any suggested improvements such as widened streets or added parking to be a part of the project.

“It’s obvious that the overriding message is no change,” said Bushey. “That’s loud and clear.”

After the meeting, resident Elizabeth Kelley said she is satisfied with the town’s efforts to address the drainage problems and its reassurance that no other changes will happen.

“I don’t want the town to put any parking on the streets, and now I feel that they won’t,” she said.

Catherine Kennedy, who is one of the property owners over the original pipes, added another worry.

“I’m concerned about the water that runs down and erodes the sand,” said Turner, adding that she hopes runoff will not be directed only towards the ocean.

According to Bushey, part of the upcoming planning process will be going to the state Environmental Protection Department for required permits. He added that due to the slope of the land, which is downhill towards the ocean, the only options for runoff is the ocean or Spurwink River.

Though he said it would be a challenge to get the necessary permits from the Environmental Protection Department, he’s confident that it won’t stall the project.

“This is a residential area, and it needs to be treated as such,” said Bushey. “We’re looking for simple solutions.”

At the end, replacing the drainage system will be up to the Higgins Beach community, said Owens, who also asked that a small committee of residents be set up to help keep both the town and the community informed.

At the end of all the future planning, the community will ultimately have the final say on whether or not the pipes are ever replaced.

“Thanks but no thanks is an option,” said Owens.