Select Board backs stormwater enterprise fund budget; Public Works to finalize fee schedule at rate hearing

The Select Board voted May 5 to recommend Town Meeting take affirmative action on the proposed stormwater enterprise fund authorization, which will allow the town to spend stormwater-fee revenues for maintenance and stormwater management work.

Public Works staff told the board the article authorizes the enterprise fund expenditures; the fee schedule that determines how much a property owner will pay will be decided at a separate Public Works rate hearing. Staff explained that the enterprise-fund authorization lets the department draw on fees collected (estimated at about $1 million for a full year of fees) to fund stormwater operations and assessments, and that the detailed rate structure (credits, per-impervious-area charges, residential vs. commercial rates) will be finalized at the rate hearing.

Select Board members said they expected Public Works to present clear examples for residents at the rate hearing and to explain credits, impervious-area calculations and how the charges apply to typical single-family households and commercial properties. The Finance Committee recommended the article by vote following its public hearing.

The board moved and passed a motion recommending affirmative action on the stormwater enterprise fund article so Town Meeting can authorize the enterprise expenditures; staff said the fee schedule hearing will provide concrete numbers for property owners.