Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Stormwater Discharge topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Town approves bylaw to curb private discharges onto public roads amid homeowner flooding complaints
Summary
Article 20 passed narrowly (94–91). The Streets and Sidewalks code was amended to prohibit certain private liquid discharges onto public ways; Public Works said the measure is aimed at public‑safety and infrastructure protection but agreed to work with homeowners reporting sewer‑related basement flooding.
Town Meeting narrowly approved Article 20, which adds a prohibition on permitting liquid discharges that create public‑safety hazards or damage public roadways and storm infrastructure.
Peter McCanny, director of public works, said the bylaw is intended to address persistent discharges that can ice over or cause hydroplaning, accelerate pavement deterioration, and carry pollutants into storm drains and water bodies. He showed examples in Surf Drive and Alleian Avenue and described large remedial projects the department has completed to manage chronic flow problems. McCanny said most of the dozen or so problem locations public works is actively managing involve water that originates on private property and that the bylaw will give the town clearer enforcement authority for deliberate or unreasonable discharges.
Several residents testified that their basements began flooding after recent sewer installations. Jacqueline Jurga said she had spent tens of thousands of dollars and received limited responses from the town; other speakers asked that the article include protections or assistance for homeowners whose flooding is clearly linked to municipal sewer work. Richard Latimer urged postponement until the town develops a plan to help affected owners; others warned that a strict prohibition could punish residents who have no practical alternative to pumping basement water during storms.
McCanny and other proponents said the article includes exceptions and an administrative path allowing DPW to work with homeowners on remediation; they emphasized the article is designed to address recurring, unreasonable discharges, not ordinary stormwater runoff or short‑term emergency pumping. After extended discussion, Town Meeting approved Article 20 by a counted vote of 94 in favor and 91 opposed.
Public works told the meeting it will continue case‑by‑case cooperation with impacted households and use the exceptions in the bylaw when the town is actively investigating or remediating a drainage issue.
