OFFICIAL PUBLIC NOTICE
DERRY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
SEWER & UTILITIES DIVISION
⚠ STORM DRAIN MAINTENANCE OPERATION ⚠
October 15 through October 20, 1994
Issued: October 12, 1994 — Notice No. 94-1012-SU
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NOTICE TO ALL DERRY RESIDENTS
The Derry Department of Public Works, Sewer & Utilities Division, hereby provides
notice that storm drain and tunnel maintenance operations will be conducted in the
following areas of the Town of Derry from October 15, 1994 through October
20, 1994, inclusive. Residents are advised to review this notice carefully and
to comply with all safety advisories contained herein.
AFFECTED AREAS
The following streets and districts will be affected by maintenance operations.
Residents in these areas should expect increased noise, occasional
roadway disruption, and possible water discoloration:
| STREET / AREA |
DATES |
EXPECTED IMPACT |
| Canal Street (Main to Kansas) |
10/15 - 10/16 |
Lane closures, drainage work |
| Witcham Street (Jackson to Kansas) |
10/16 - 10/17 |
Grate replacement, noise |
| Jackson Street (entire length) |
10/17 - 10/18 |
Tunnel inspection, traffic delays |
| Kansas Street (overpass area) |
10/18 - 10/19 |
Outflow assessment |
| Up-Mile Hill drainage corridor |
10/19 - 10/20 |
Routine inspection |
| Section 9-D (Barrens outflow) |
POSTPONED |
Crew availability under review |
EXPECTED CONDITIONS DURING MAINTENANCE
During the maintenance period, residents in affected areas may experience one or
more of the following conditions. These are normal and should not be reported
to the DPW or Police Department:
• Unusual noises from storm drains, including but not limited to:
banging, clanking, scraping, rushing water, hissing, or what may sound like
voices, laughter, music, or children calling. Hydraulic resonance during
high-pressure cleaning produces a wide range of acoustic effects.
• Unusual odors from storm grates and floor drains. These may include
sulfurous, sweet, decomposed, chemical, or organic odors. Air quality has been
tested and verified safe. Some residents have reported odors described as
"cotton candy," "burnt sugar," or "an old circus." These descriptions are
subjective and do not reflect any documented airborne contaminant.
• Water discoloration in tap water, ranging from light tan to
reddish-brown. This is caused by mineral disturbance during tunnel cleaning and
is not a health concern. Run cold water for 2-3 minutes before using.
If water remains discolored after this period, contact DPW. Water testing kits
are available at Town Hall.
• Sewage backup may occur in basement floor drains during pressure
operations. Keep basement drain plugs in place. Avoid running washing machines or
dishwashers during overnight hours (11 PM - 6 AM) during the maintenance week.
• Temporary increases in storm grate ambient sound during nighttime
hours are normal and should not be reported. The DPW will not
respond to calls regarding storm drain sounds between 11 PM and 6 AM.
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⚠ SAFETY WARNINGS ⚠
UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES shall any unauthorized person
enter, attempt to enter, or assist another person in entering any portion of the
Derry storm drain or tunnel system. This prohibition includes but is not limited to:
• Storm drains and grate openings
• Manhole access points
• Canal District maintenance tunnels
• Flood control chambers
• Pump station interiors
• The Barrens outflow culverts
• All sections marked with DPW warning signage
• Any abandoned or "discovered" tunnel access points
The DPW cannot guarantee the safety of any person entering the
storm drain system. Derry's tunnel network is structurally compromised
in multiple locations due to age, water damage, and as-yet-uncatalogued
subsurface conditions. Sections of the system are known to contain:
• Methane and hydrogen sulfide gas pockets
• Unstable masonry susceptible to sudden collapse
• Flash flooding hazards (rise can exceed 6 feet in under 90 seconds)
• Aggressive vermin populations
• Disorienting acoustic environments
• Sections lacking any structural documentation
Entry into the Derry storm drain or tunnel system is a Class B
misdemeanor under Town Ordinance 94-09, punishable by a fine of up to
$2,500 and/or 90 days incarceration. Repeat violators are subject
to enhanced penalties at the discretion of the Town Council.
PARENTS: Please discuss this notice with your children. Storm drains are
NOT a place to retrieve lost items, play games, or shelter from weather.
Children attempting to enter the system have, in the past, sustained serious
injuries. Of the 31 missing persons cases in
Derry over the past decade in which remains have been recovered, 18 were
recovered from within or adjacent to the storm drain system.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: What if I hear something or someone in the storm drain?
A: Do NOT attempt to communicate with or assist any voice heard from a storm
drain. Sounds carrying through the tunnel system are highly distorted and can
originate from great distances. Reports of "children's voices" have been
investigated and found to be of acoustic origin only. Contact DPW at
(207) 555-0147 if you wish to file a report.
Q: What if I see something coming out of a storm drain?
A: Maintain a safe distance of at least 30 feet. Do not photograph. Do not
attempt interaction. Call DPW immediately. Wildlife (raccoons, opossums, rats)
account for the majority of such sightings. Other reports remain under review.
Q: I have a child who reports seeing or hearing things from the drains. What
should I do?
A: Take your child seriously. Contact Officer Wells
at the Derry Police Youth Division, extension 247. Document the date, time, and
your child's description in writing. Do not allow your child to revisit the
location alone.
Q: Why is so much maintenance happening at once?
A: The current maintenance schedule is consistent with the Town's 1994 capital
improvement plan, approved March 1994. The timing of this work is unrelated to
recent events in the Town of Derry.
Q: I have a follow-up question that is not addressed here.
A: Contact the DPW Sewer & Utilities Division at (207) 555-0148. Please note
that response times during the maintenance period may be longer than usual.
CONTACT INFORMATION
| DPW Office (general) |
(207) 555-0148 |
Mon-Fri 7AM-3:30PM |
| DPW Emergency Line |
(207) 555-0147 |
24 hours / 7 days |
| Police (non-emergency) |
(207) 555-0191 |
24 hours |
| Police EMERGENCY |
911 |
24 hours |
| DPW Email |
dpw@derry.me.us |
By order of:
Richard P. Macklin
Superintendent, Sewer & Utilities Division
Derry Department of Public Works
Posted & affirmed by:
T. Vachon, Crew Foreman
Dated this 12th day of October, 1994
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Public Safety Information
"It is the policy of the Derry Department of Public Works to maintain a safe,
efficient, and well-documented infrastructure for the benefit of all residents.
We thank the public for their cooperation during this maintenance period.
The sounds reported from storm drains in the Canal District have been identified
as normal hydraulic resonance and are not cause for concern."
it lives down there it has always lived down there since before the town
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