Hatboro Continues with Flood Damage Assessments

With the muddy waters receded and cleanup underway, Hatboro is working to finalize its Hurricane Irene storm damage assessment.

In all, Borough Manager Steven Plaugher said about 70 property owners reported damage stemming from last weekend’s storm, which caused downed trees and, more notably, the to leave its banks and and businesses. 

So far, Plauger said borough officials have surveyed damage at about 50 properties and the remaining 20 or so will be looked at this week.

“Any properties that back up to the creek received damage,” Plaugher said. “The majority of the damage is minor.”

For the most part, Plaugher said the extent of damage has ranged from a flooded basement, to home repairs needed after being hit by a downed tree.

Two almost side-by-side sites, the shuttered and , endured major damage from the raging Pennypack Creek flood water.

The 1720s era Old Mill, said to be the borough’s oldest building, is currently owned by TD Bank following the previous owner’s foreclosure. The bank has contracted with Jackson Cross Partners in an attempt to sell the former restaurant.

But, before it can change hands, Plaugher said Hatboro’s code department has notified bank representatives that the ripped open entrance needs to be boarded up.

“They have to do that in the short term,” he said. “In the long term, they’re going to have to make that building safe.”

Plaugher said the total estimated damages at the Old Mill Inn and Quig’s would be calculated, along with other flood-related damages throughout the borough, and would be forwarded along to the county and then to FEMA for emergency coverage consideration.

“This could be months away before we get an answer on funding available,” Plaugher said.

Patch was unsuccessful in reaching realtor Philip Rothenberg of Jackson Cross Partners, who was reportedly on vacation through Labor Day. Rothenberg told Patch previously that he hoped to sell the 8,181-square-foot former grist mill as a “package” deal with the 5,125-square-foot neighboring property that currently houses Spa Escape. The asking price, Rothenberg said earlier this summer, was $899,999.