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Community Corner

Former Mayor Helps Minimize Flood Damage to Springfield

Former Mayor Ruocco Credits The Meisel Basin Project of 73 for keeping Joanne Way Dry

William Ruocco realized flooding was a serious issue for the town when he moved into his home on Joanne Way. Springfield had been hit hard by hurricanes in 1973, and William and his family were caught in a bad storm.

"My daughter had to swim to get out of the house, I knew something had to be done for not on my house, but my neighborhood as well," Ruocco said.

He petitioned to have  national and NJ governments help pay for the muti-million million dollar overflow system for the Rahway River. Ruocco used local engineers and with help, created the Miesel Basin, or Rahway River Basin, as no real name was given for the project. The basin was built with sophisticated drains which allow overflow water to seep back into a holding tank and eventually into the Rahway River. It was made for a total of $2 million, with NJ kicking in half a million to help fund. 

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Today, Ruocco credits that particular project for keeping Joanne Way and parts of Riverside dry during the hurricane. He said "without the basin, many more homes would of been under water" Unfortunately, homes on Alvin and Marion were not as lucky. With such devastation and flooding everywhere, no town is without it's disaster areas. 

Ruocco retired in 1993, but still a very active citizen. He says he is very happy with the current government, and loves the town of Springfield. He is a man who had a vision and followed it out, and in turn helped a neighborhood.

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