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Marlborough delays part of downtown stormwater design after engineering review; officials eye SRF loan
Summary
Town staff said engineering consultants found the originally proposed lower-bypass solution would not meet objectives; the project scope will be narrowed to a technical memo while the effects of the upper bypass are monitored, and the town may seek a Clean Water State Revolving Fund planning loan in the future.
Town Administrator Ellen Smith told the selectmen July 22 that the Phase II downtown stormwater project — divided into upper and lower bypasses — will have its scope amended after consultants determined the chosen solution for the lower bypass "will not achieve the desired results." The engineering firm recommended producing a technical memo rather than completing a 30% design that NHDES might have to review and then request significant changes for.
Smith said the slower approach will allow the town to observe how the completed or advanced upper bypass affects flows and conditions around the lower bypass, potentially informing a different design approach. She also noted the town could apply later for a Clean Water State Revolving Fund planning loan to fund additional design work; according to the meeting record, similar planning loans have historically been offered with 100% principal forgiveness.
Smith also reported an email from Executive Councilor Karen Loit Hill arranging a July 23 site review with Donovan Fenton, James Gruber, and NHDOT Commissioner Rodrigue to inspect Route 124 stormwater work that had been omitted from the original NHDOT 10-year plan and later added back in; the group planned to review the town's project.
