Charlie--I would like to recommend a few changes/additions:

In the section on rational:

--Some DOM participants were provided backups free of charge.  I would like you to add that target area residents were prohibited from participating in DOM.  Getting a backup that way was not an option for residents in the target areas.

--Note that you need to correct the lettering in the bullet points (should go a, b, c, d, e, f).  

--Please add section g: The FDD program replaced gravity systems with sump pumps.  Sump pumps are not as reliable as gravity, which never wears out and continues to work during power outages. The backup systems will give the FDD participants a system that is more reliable (though not as good as what they had.)

--Simplify the estimate of cost by using only the price of a battery system.

--Robert mentioned that other municipalities have included backups in their programs.  This is relevant benchmarking information that should be included in the rationale. 

  

Thanks for your input, Peter.

·         Taxpayers should have to pay for damages incurred through faulty workmanship.

·         Shouldn't this say " Taxpayers should NOT have....."

Water in the footing drains of target area homes drains into the sanitary.  The sanitary sewer lines are a few feet below the bottom of basement foundation.  So gravity causes the water to flow out of the footing drains and into the sanitary.  No pump required. 

In FDD participant homes, the flow needs to go to the curb drain, which is a few feet higher than the bottom of the basement foundation. The water needs to be pumped up and out with a sump pump.   

Pat - thanks for the catch!