Council signs MOA to seek free consultant assistance for transfer station stormwater plan

Richmond — The Town Council authorized the town administrator to sign a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the New England Environmental Finance Center (NEEFC) so the town can receive consultant assistance to develop a nonpoint-source stormwater management plan for the transfer station and Department of Public Works site.

Talia, the town planner, described the program and the process: NEEFC will solicit proposals from its preapproved pool of consultants and, if the town selects a consultant, the New England Environmental Finance Center will sign the contract and deliver services to the town at no direct cost. The scope is to produce a plan for nature-based stormwater retrofits to address runoff and pollutant transport on the transfer station/DPW property.

Talia explained she volunteered to serve as the project lead and that the Conservation Commission and other local stakeholders participated in site visits and drafting a scope. She said the selected consultant will visit the site, prepare a conceptual design and identify implementation and funding options. The town's role will include participating in the selection workshop and reviewing proposals.

Councilors voted to authorize the town administrator to sign the MOA. One councilor asked whether the plan would obligate the town to implement recommendations; Talia said implementation would be discretionary and that part of the consultant's work would include identifying funding sources and ensuring proposed measures are maintainable by town crews.

Ending: The council approved the MOA; staff and conservation volunteers will continue with the RFP and selection process and report back when a consultant is selected.