The Needham Stormwater Bylaw Working Group set a public meeting for Aug. 5 and finalized the slide deck and outreach approach for the town presentation.

The working group said the slide deck used for the Select Board presentation will be the primary public presentation, with an added housekeeping slide and optional example plot plans and photos of recent flooding to help frame the issue for residents. Members discussed showing local storm photos at the start of the meeting to explain why the bylaw update is being proposed and to make clear that the change is one component — not a cure-all — for flood risk.

Why it matters: the Aug. 5 event is being used both to satisfy the public hearing requirement and to educate residents about technical changes (for example, an increased infiltration minimum and regulatory detail that will sit in the accompanying regulations). The group emphasized that clear framing — national/regional context plus local images — will be important to avoid giving the impression the bylaw is being sold as a sole solution for flooding.

Most of the agreed logistics are procedural: the panel will sit together at the front table for the in-person hearing, a Zoom option will remain available for remote attendees, and planners will encourage written comments and use of the town’s reporting tools for follow-up. The working group also discussed options for post‑hearing outreach such as a short online questionnaire or postcard to reach residents without internet access.

The meeting was treated as a formal hearing step in the bylaw process: the group intends to publish both the draft bylaw and the as-yet-incomplete regulations before or alongside the Select Board meeting sequence so the public can review the detailed technical requirements (for example, what must appear on a plot plan or when a professional engineer is required).

What to expect at the Aug. 5 session: a short framing presentation (including photos of recent storms), an overview of the draft bylaw’s key changes, the regulatory approach that will be developed after the bylaw is adopted, and a public comment period. The group also discussed offering printed materials and a short FAQ describing how residents can report suspected permit noncompliance (for example, via DPW, the town’s online “click‑fix” form, or, when applicable, civil court for private disputes).

At the close of the meeting the working group confirmed the presentation plan and encouraged members to be prepared to explain both the town-level rationale and how residents can seek remedy for construction‑related impacts.

Ending: The working group confirmed the Aug. 5 public hearing and said it will continue to draft the regulations and outreach materials in the coming weeks so residents have supporting documentation to review before any Select Board votes.