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“We hope we don’t go out of business”: Sewer problems close gym & salon

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“We hope we don’t go out of business”: Sewer problems close gym & salon

TOWN OF WATERTOWN, New York (WWNY) – Sounds of construction replace the sound of dropped weights at Star Spangled Cross Fit in the town of Watertown.

“It’s been a nightmare. It’s destroyed our business,” said Star Spangled Cross Fit General Manager Leo Rogers.

In early November, sewage covered the gym floors.

Rogers says the town sewage lift system is supposed to notify the town when there is an issue, but it didn’t. So the problem wasn’t noticed until it was obvious.

“Running water to about here, until they got it turned off. Running sewage,” explained Rogers.

Rogers says he was told the town replaced the pumps after the first incident.

Then, it happened again, ruining repairs that had already been made.

The floods also ruined his wife’s hair salon, which is run out of the same building.

“We just assumed it was going to happen, then it happened two more times. November 30th and December 1st,” said Rogers.

Between the three floods, Rogers says the DEC estimates at least 27 thousand gallons of sewage poured into Star Spangled Cross Fit.

Since December 1st, the owners have had to throw out equipment, replace floors, and put in a backflow valve on their own.

“Our insurance covered a portion of the first incident, and right now I got that estimate, we’re at $18,000 above and beyond that. The second incident, our insurance haven’t covered yet, but we’re close to $60,000, which is going to be close to $100,000 once we’re done with everything,” said Rogers.

Rogers says after countless attempts to work with the town, he feels their issues are being kicked down the road.

Town Supervisor Joel Bartlett says the town has its own insurance company and insurance policy, and the insurance companies involved will work on any settlements.

“We hope we don’t go out of business,” said Rogers.

The gym has currently put a pause on memberships, meaning it’s not bringing in any revenue. The hope is to bring gym-goers back in February.

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