Stormwater Utility Update scheduled for Town Council meeting Jan 18, 2023

Perhaps you noticed the green info sheet on the forth coming storm water fee being implemented in July 2023 in the quarterly real estate mailer. The Town Council has an info session on the long awaited credits for rain barrels, etc. that were discussed during the run up to the approval of the storm water fee.

From the Council agenda for Jan 18, 2023

b. Discussion: Stormwater Utility Update

i. Update Memo & Draft Stormwater Credit Manual   

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/8b._stormwater.pdf

ii. Stormwater property specific impervious surface website portal   

https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/e45452a3047e4c83b27170a8f4f79aa5

 

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From the Franklin Matters archive originally shared in April 2021:

One of the key items in all of the budget discussions is going to be the stormwater utility question. This has been a topic that has developed since 2007 when the initial storm water bylaw was passed. The EPA and Mass DEP have continued to add requirements to how storm water should be managed. The costs for such mitigations have grown over the years. The introduction of the storm water utility fee would allow the Town to better manage the impact on the Town budget.

Why must we manage storm water?

We are part of the area feeding into the Charles River and hence are under the provisions as outlined in the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4) permit. We have an extensive outflow system to catch and manage storm water. Check out the map here -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/outfall_map.pdf 

Did the Town of Franklin sue the EPA?

Yes, and while we ultimately ‘lost’ the case, we did gain concessions on the implementation timeline that benefit all under the MS4 permit requirements.

When did the storm water bylaw pass?

The Storm water bylaw originally passed in 2007. Check out the bylaw language here -> https://ecode360.com/10434264

What is the storm water utility fee?

Article IV - storm water utility was added in Jan 2020. Bylaw #19-846 approved 9-0 vote. Check out the language here -> https://ecode360.com/FR1096/laws/LF1135684.pdf 

What is the MS4? 

Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems or by the shorter name MS4. The current storm water mitigation plan - updated in 2020 ->  Stormwater Management Plan (revised 2020)

Can I find out what my impervious coverage is?

Check out the impervious coverage map for your property -> https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/e45452a3047e4c83b27170a8f4f79aa5

If you need more info on the background and information around the storm water fee follow this link -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/04/the-stormwater-story-summary-for.html

The stormwater story summary for Franklin