Westborough moves forward on Lyman Street drainage license as stormwater utility bills reach residents

The Select Board on Monday authorized the chair to execute a long‑form license that will let the town, developer Pulte and cooperating partners install a consolidated drainage system near the Lyman Street town line.

Chris Payant, Westborough’s director of public works, told the board the work resolves an 18‑month coordination effort after the state withdrew a prior agreement. Payant said the new system will consolidate two separate outfalls into a single, modernized drainage route and ultimately discharge to an existing wetland, including infrastructure in neighboring Northborough.

Payant said the town began issuing the first stormwater utility bills (first quarter mailed in July) and has fielded resident questions about the new fee. “We’ve had some hiccups,” he said, “but we’ve corrected them.” He described the utility as a long‑term investment that will fund stormwater projects and improvements over many years.

Board members asked whether the license would change costs to the town (Payant said no), whether traffic would be disrupted (minimal impact expected) and when work would begin (as soon as the license is executed; likely this fall). The board also requested a clearer exhibit/diagram be included in project materials; Payant confirmed the work sits at the town line and will cross the road where new pipes will be installed.

A board motion to approve the license carried on a roll‑call vote. The license gives the town the right to place drainage work on state‑owned land under negotiated, nonexclusive terms and authorizes the chair to sign the agreement on the board’s behalf.