Flushed mop head backs up Sussex Borough sewer

SUSSEX BOROUGH — “It’s ridiculous! Why aren’t people using their brains,” Sussex Borough Mayor Katherine Little yelled over the already stunned council members.
The latest incident in a long line of water and sewage issues for Sussex occurred on Loomis Avenue just the day before Tuesday night’s Sussex Borough Council meeting.
Council President Robert Holowach broke the news to the council, telling them they had a "very big sewer back-up" on Loomis Avenue that manifested itself by the (Sussex Middle) School."
Parts of Loomis Avenue, near the Sussex Middle School, and toward the Clove Brook bridge were shut down on Monday. The sewer line in question serves both a large commercial and residential area of the borough.
“I was down there, and they snaked the drain until it finally opened up,” Holowach said.
He paused, and took a deep breath before reluctantly admitting the cause of the backup.
“They found an industrial mop-head,” Holowach said, “that clogged the sewage pipe.”
The council let out a collective gasp.
Mayor Little, bewildered by such an act, raised her voice above all others on the council.
“Well, if it didn’t go down easy,” she scolded, “someone must have been jamming it down there!”
Mayor Little continued to vent her frustration.
“People don’t realize when you flush a toilet, you’re only supposed to be putting toilet paper down there. Not all this other stuff. That’s why we’re having all these block-ups!”
A question was raised on whether the mop-head came from the middle school.
Holowach admitted it was possible, but said, “there’s a number of commercial properties on that line. It could have even manifested back in somebodies home.”
Other council newsCouncilmember Mario Poggi brought up the need for volunteers in the various government committees and boards.
Volunteers are specifically needed on the Recreation Committee, Planning Board, and the Board of Health.
More information, as well as an application can be found on the boroughs website: Sussexboro.com.