Within a week after excavation for a pond on Newton Road in Orchard Park began, the wells on two nearby properties went dry, and three others were depleted, neighbors said.
The neighbors blame the Disciples of Divine Mercy in the Holy Face of Jesus, a Catholic lay group that expanded its Mother of Mercy House of Prayer at 6131 Newton Road last year.
Ten residents of Newton Road have filed a lawsuit against the organization and John and Kathleen Wabick, who own the property.
Kathleen Wabick, founder of the group, did not respond to two voicemails last week requesting comment.
Excavation on the reflection pond started April 25, 2022.
On April 28, Russ and Amy Wierer’s well went dry. By May 2, Geraldine Burgwardt’s well dried up, and three others were depleted, according to the lawsuit, filed by Richard J. Lippes.
The neighbors contend that, according to the original site plan, the pond was supposed to be no deeper than 6 feet, but now is 18 to 20 feet deep.
“In digging out the pond, to such a greater depth, defendants hit an underground spring that fed the water wells of the plaintiffs,” the lawsuit contends.
Some residents in the area of the Newton Road property want to know the purpose of the expansion. And the answer to one simple question: Is it a church or not?
…
Read the full article here
Leave a Reply