Leaky hydrant causes big stink in Gravesend

Gravesend residents are complaining that a leaky fire hydrant on Van Sicklen Street has been spreading a foul odor in the area, but the city says it is not responsible for the repairs.
Rich Cusick says the hydrant has been leaking water onto his property for years, causing the ground underneath to buckle and collapse onto sewer pipes below. As a result, Cusick says sewage now flows into his front yard. In addition, he says the property has a rodent problem.
"It's not fair to us, it's not fair to the neighbors," Cusick says.
It will cost $17,000 to repair the pipes damaged by the hydrant, but the Department of Environmental Protection says the owners of the property are the ones who should make the repairs.
The Cusicks say they want the problem fixed before the weather turns warmer and the smell of raw sewage wafts into their home.