South View stormwater study continues after limited soil borings; state permits and funding remain unsettled

Town staff updated the Select Board on progress toward stormwater remediation on South View. Josh Harison said the state returned the project's Notice of Intent as incomplete because the engineering package was not finished; state reviewers typically extend the 60-day clock while engineers complete designs.

Engineers performed three borings as part of the soils investigation. Two borings encountered deep sand, while one near the stream found higher groundwater and much wetter soils. "Of the three borings they did they found really good deep sand in two boring locations ... and signs of higher groundwater and much wet soil near the intersection or near the stream," staff reported. Those findings will shape what stormwater practices are appropriate and how costly the engineering and construction will be.

The board heard that some engineering phases are planned as a two-stage process: initial 30% design for preferred alternatives (covered by the current contract) followed by final design and permitting; staff warned additional engineering funds may be needed depending on the preferred solution. The board also discussed related pending state-level attention, including a bill and potential legislative action that could affect funding pathways for orphan projects.

Next steps: engineers will finish desktop mapping and return to a future Select Board meeting (Feb. 18 or March 3) to review findings; fieldwork (house-by-house observations and soil checks) will follow after snowmelt. Staff will notify homeowners before field visits and continue to coordinate with the state on permitting and potential grant funding.