Photo credits Belleville Township: Mayor Michael Melham and a contingent of state officials, including representatives from the Department of Environmental Protection, recently toured areas where Third River frequently floods. They were also able to speak with neighbors about the situation.

Mayor Michael Melham led a contingent of officials that included State Sen. Teresa Ruiz and members of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) on a tour of Belleville neighborhoods that routinely flood from the Third River.

The group, which also included Essex County Executive Joe DiVincenzo Jr., Assemblywoman Shanique Speight, Assemblywoman Eliana Pintor Marin, Belleville Deputy Mayor Naomy DePeña and Councilmember Thomas Graziano, navigated dirt paths, pushed back branches and surveyed streams to get a better understanding of the chronic issue.

The tour was convened last week, after Melham reached out to Ruiz for help.

Melham said the goal is to mitigate future flooding issues for residents of Fairway Avenue, Suzanne Court, Carolyn Road, Dorothea Terrace and the Bridgebrook condo development.

On the ground in the immediate aftermath of the Ida flooding, this was Melham’s fourth time visiting these neighborhoods.  A few weeks back, Melham invited and welcomed representatives of the Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission, who committed to assisting with debris cleanup on the river.

This time, the lawmakers and DEP representatives spoke with residents about the recurring flooding, as well as possible solutions.

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