Maple Beach Residents Left Hanging in Snow Storms

For the handful of residents living in the Maple Beach section of Bristol Township, a snowstorm means isolation.

Maple Beach is a section of land in Bristol Township along the Delaware River in the shadow of the Burlington Bristol Bridge. Dow Chemical owns the land surrounding the few remaining private properties. However, county records appear to show several of the streets in the section are public, marking where rows of homes once stood.

Despite being surrounded by Dow Chemical’s property, the residents of Maple Beach still pay Bristol Township taxes. When it comes time to plow out the roads, those residents are often stuck.

“That’s a lot of taxes for no amenities,” said Maple Beach resident Owen Ward outside.

“All of these things that are regular services for people in other parts of the township kind of fall by the wayside,” he explained.

The roads around and through Maple Beach are all adorned with “No Trespassing” signs, many unpaved or losing the fight against unkempt vegetation from the fields.

Ward’s property is the closest to the road, so he can still get out somewhat easily, but the other residents aren’t so lucky. The three other houses are a ways up the road, according to Ward.

If he can’t get out, the others definitely can’t. Stuck means they may miss important doctor appointments and are forced to take personal days from work, he said.

This is a fight Ward has been engaged in since he moved into the home that has been in his family for 114 years.

Before Dow Chemical bought Rohm and Haas, there were usually easy to find solutions, Ward said.

When a storm hits, Ward said that Dow Chemical usually tells him they might send a plow over, but sometimes it never comes.

Ward has called State Rep. Tina Davis, who tried in the past to achieve resolutions with Dow Chemical. This year, he contacted all of the Bristol Township Council people via email, contacted the township manager via email and tried to contact Bristol Township public works. As of Wednesday afternoon, he’s had little help getting his road cleared.

“Whether it’s their responsibility or not, they should step up for their residents,” Ward said.

Ward said that he has a hard time wanting Dow Chemical to do anything for the roads, after all, the residents of Maple Beach don’t pay taxes to the company.

LevittownNow.com was not able to get in touch with township officials Wednesday.