Big hole leaves Algonquin man with sinking feeling

There's a creek, tall trees, assorted plant species and numerous natural elements surrounding Tom Gamoe's Algonquin property.

But now an unwanted force of nature has popped up -- or more accurately opened up -- on Gamoe's landscape.

A large sinkhole has formed at the top of Gamoe's driveway on the 900 block of Harper Drive, and he said the village is to blame.

The property owner said the gaping hole measuring 8 feet wide and 8 feet deep poses a safety threat.

"If a kid got sucked into it you would never find them," said Gamoe, who first noticed the problem in August.

About two years ago, Gamoe said, the village did drainage work to redirect rainwater that was flowing down a steep slope adjacent to his driveway and into Ratt Creek.

"The manhole is covered up with leaves and there is nowhere for the water to go," said Gamoe, pointing to a grated opening about a third of the way up the incline.

"The first place for the water to go is through the sides of the driveway, not through the actual pipes."

Algonquin Public Works Director Robert Mitchard said the new pipe was designed to correct problems.

"Rather than have rainwater run down the hillside, we tried to convey it into a pipe and into the creek that is contiguous with Mr. Gamoe's property," Mitchard said.

Though a drain existed, Mitchard said it was not installed on a village easement and was made of materials susceptible to rotting that could have resulted in a collapse.

"I think we have some responsibility here and I think we have made every effort to help Mr. Gamoe," Mitchard said.

Mitchard said a sinkhole is not unusual in this situation since the village had used water instead of machinery to bore a tunnel for the drain.

"It is going to take some maintenance of the land for the ground to stabilize," Mitchard said. "It is difficult to maintain the land in a shaded area that is damp like Mr. Gamoe's property."

In addition to the hole, Gamoe said, rushing water has eroded tons of earth, exposing root systems of trees that are now in danger of toppling.

The village sent out a cherry-picker to trim the tree Friday, but Gamoe refused to allow the heavy machinery on his driveway.