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Residents urge stormwater and engineering review before pavilion work proceeds
Summary
Multiple residents told the Tinmouth Select Board on Sept. 3 that rerouting runoff and adding site drainage for a proposed pavilion could trigger state stormwater review and add substantial costs; the board asked for an engineer or permitting official to attend an October informational meeting.
Several citizens urged the Select Board to secure expert review before any ground-disturbing work for the proposed pavilion begins, saying a ditch to capture and reroute runoff could create a regulated discharge.
One participant stated bluntly: "Rainwater is water to the state," summarizing the view that altering runoff could require state permitting and hydrogeologic review. Town volunteers and proponents acknowledged the long-standing waterlogging issue on the school field, but multiple neighbors and board members cautioned that capturing and channeling that water could increase flow velocities to downstream properties and trigger permit, engineering and mitigation costs.
Board members agreed to invite a stormwater or drainage expert to an October informational meeting to provide a site assessment and an initial scope of required permits. The Select Board framed the grant application as conditional — they will not start construction or accept the pavilion without clearer technical guidance and confirmed funding to address any required mitigation costs.
