Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Stormwater Management topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Southborough warned of large stormwater upgrades as proposed EPA permit increases local obligations
Summary
Town staff briefed the Select Board May 20 on proposed changes to the EPA/MassDEP municipal stormwater permit that would require catch-basin upgrades, more street sweeping and other measures; staff estimated multi-million-dollar, multi-year costs and recommended further study, including use of a stormwater enterprise fund.
Town staff updated the Select Board May 20 on proposed changes to the federal/state municipal stormwater permit (MassDEP/EPA) and the local implications if the draft 2025 permit is finalized.
Bill (Town staff) told the board the permit program dates to the Clean Water Act requirement and that a new draft permit proposes stricter engineering and maintenance obligations for communities. Highlights presented by Bill included a requirement to identify and prioritize catch basins that do not meet the Massachusetts Stormwater Handbook standard (4-foot sump below the invert), to replace 20 percent of deficient catch basins within five years, and expanded street sweeping expectations (twice yearly, with attention to leaf disposal).
"We have well over 3,000 catch basins in town," Bill said. "Using MassDOT weighted average bid prices, we're looking probably 7 to $10,000 per structure for replacement." When asked whether replacing 100 percent of the town’s catch basins would be $21 million to $30 million, Bill responded, "That's correct." He cautioned those estimates are preliminary and that a consultant (Fuss & O’Neill) prepared an initial impact worksheet for the town.
Board members asked whether these obligations would apply to municipal projects and were told they would: construction or projects exceeding certain size thresholds (commonly 0.5 acres) trigger the standards, and municipal projects must comply.
Bill and town staff advised the Select Board that this is primarily an informational briefing and urged the town to consider options such as establishing a stormwater enterprise fund to segregate costs and provide a funding mechanism for the long-term work. The board asked staff to provide more detailed cost estimates and a plan for next steps in the coming months.
Select Board members said they would discuss the issue at a future meeting and look to advisory and capital committees for options that could be incorporated into multi-year capital planning.
