Jason Stanton of LSSE presented the borough's annual elected-officials briefing required by the MS4 (municipal separate storm sewer) permit, describing past and upcoming work and answering council questions.

Stanton said the borough's 2018 pollution-reduction plan included two rain gardens and a stream-restoration program; the state issued the stream-restoration permit on Oct. 30, and the project has been advertised for bidding in December with an anticipated award in January. He told the council the costs are expected to be covered largely by grant funds secured through the local share account and the Small Water and Sewer Program, and that additional general-fund contributions are not anticipated based on current grant coverage.

Stanton also previewed a major shift in the next five-year permit cycle: the focus will move from pollution reduction to volume-management metrics aimed at handling 1-inch storm events. He said the new permit application will be due in 2028 and that construction completion for any required improvements is anticipated by 2031.

Council members asked about project efficacy and cost — one questioned whether stream restoration would remove vegetation only to replant it, and others pressed Stanton for projected borough investment. Stanton described the work as guided by state technical guidance and reiterated that municipal actions are required to meet MS4 compliance.

Council directed staff and the planning/engineering teams to continue public outreach and prepare materials that describe how the work is funded and how it would affect local neighborhoods.