Woodbridge Flooding Victims Express Frustration, Muted Hope After March

Residents of Woodbridge's flood-prone areas were polite, but the patience was becoming threadbare. That was the sentiment at Tuesday's council meeting from the dozens of homeowners who marched down Main Street to Town Hall to keep the pressure on after years of having their flood-battered homes ignored.

Most are members of the ad hoc Woodbridge Flood Zone - a group begun by Monique Coleman, who expanded their efforts into a meeting and a frequently updated website - own some of the more than 600 homes in the township that experienced moderate or severe devastation from Hurricane Sandy.

The township administration was prepared for the marchers. Mayor John McCormac gave a speech to update residents on progress being made to get the residents state and federal relief, as well as local efforts to address the flooding issues.

Council President Charles Kenny adroitly fielded questions from frustrated homeowners and expressed his own belief that the governing body was moving as quickly as it could to get some resolution to the flooding problems.

The appointment of an engineer specific to Woodbridge to deal with flooding was a sticking point, as was having a board of citizens from flood areas appointed with council-level access. The council passed a resolution asking for flood insurance premiums to be retained at earlier, lower levels. Kenny also said that an engineering firm with whom the township has worked previously will be investigating the flooding issues.

The Woodbridge Flood Zone group will be meeting again on Monday, March 25, at the First Presbyterian Church on Rahway Avenue.

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