Needham finance committee unanimously backs stormwater bylaw language and related regulations

The Town of Needham Finance Committee on Oct. 8 voted unanimously to recommend adoption of a proposed stormwater bylaw and its draft regulations, a staff presenter told the committee.

The presenter described edits made since the committee last reviewed the article in September. Changes include explicit enforcement language in section 7.11 that references the director of public works and civil and criminal remedies and penalties found elsewhere in the town's general bylaws; the presenter cited a $300-per-day penalty after a 15-day violation period as one enforcement example. The draft regulations also restated and clarified tree-planting requirements tied to stormwater regulations and the town tree-preservation bylaw.

"Project shall be subject to any tree planting requirements detailed in the town deemed stormwater regulations and any town tree preservation bylaw as applicable," the presenter read from the revised draft regulations when describing the changes. The presenter said feedback at a public meeting had been "generally positive," with questions focusing on the tree provisions.

After limited discussion, Finance Committee member Mary Smallton moved the committee's recommendation that the article be adopted; the motion carried unanimously.

The presenter said the draft regulations will require tree plantings tied to drainage units and that the bylaw package is intended to be a stormwater bylaw rather than a separate tree bylaw, with trees handled in the implementing regulations. Committee members sought confirmation that the building commissioner had been consulted on applicability in residential contexts; the presenter said the office had been involved.

The finance committee's recommendation forwards the proposed bylaw and draft regulations for consideration at town meeting.