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National Grid and Foxborough DPW outline upgrades, warn stormwater and water treatment costs are rising
Summary
National Grid and the town DPW reported recent substation upgrades, planned recloser installations and significant tree removal; DPW officials said stormwater spending (budget $100,000) and new water‑treatment rules will require new funding approaches and capital work including the Walnut/Route 140 project and a DPW garage upgrade.
National Grid and Foxborough’s Department of Public Works provided a detailed infrastructure update at the Select Board’s June 4 meeting, describing electrical system upgrades, ongoing road and water projects, and looming compliance costs for stormwater and water treatment.
Robert Maran, National Grid’s community manager, said the utility has rebuilt or upgraded multiple substations serving Foxborough (Foxborough No. 1 and Foxborough No. 2) and installed or planned several advanced reclosers that create a "self‑healing" distribution network to reduce outage scope and duration. He noted additional reclosers planned for East Foxborough and ongoing tree pruning and hazard tree removals around town.
DPW Director Chris Gallagher summarized town projects and staffing changes, including creating an assistant director and an office manager role. He said a staff engineer will focus on sewer inflow and infiltration — DPW estimates that addressing infiltration could save about $120,000 annually in sewer treatment charges. Gallagher also flagged the stormwater budget: "stormwater budget for this fiscal year is $100,000," he said, adding that required catch basin cleaning alone approaches that figure.
Water Superintendent Bob Woodley warned the board about evolving federal treatment requirements for trace contaminants that will force construction of treatment plants. He said current monitoring and federal targets are tightening and that partial federal grants will not cover total costs for the plants the town will need to build; those projects could divert funds from other pipeline or road work.
Other highlights: the Walnut/Route 140 intersection and related Housing Authority sewer work are underway with a projected 8–12 month construction window and temporary closures of Walnut Street during construction hours. The DPW garage project (vehicle maintenance bays, interior wash bay tied to stormwater permit compliance and removal of underground fuel tanks) is moving toward contract award following a bid protest hearing with the AG’s office.
What comes next: DPW will continue to seek grant funding, pursue in‑house repairs where possible, and return to the board with scheduling details and any recommended financing actions (including potential consideration of a stormwater utility fee as a long‑term funding tool).
