One of the foremost topics was the proposed stormwater management fee, estimated to be around $60 per household, with larger commercial properties like Walmart expected to contribute more due to their substantial impervious surfaces. The task force emphasized the need for a structured plan to present to the public and other boards. The discussion revealed concerns about the nebulous nature of current projects, making it challenging to estimate costs accurately. A civil engineer’s expertise was noted as necessary to provide the required design work for a concrete budget.

The task force recognized the importance of public outreach and education to prepare residents for the proposed fee. A member recalled a conversation with Carter, who humorously suggested that educating the public about the fee could take a year or more. There was a comparison of the proposed $60 annual fee to an increase in taxes, with some participants expressing that a half percent increase might be more acceptable than one percent.

Timing for implementing the stormwater fee was debated, particularly concerning upcoming town meetings. It was suggested that a presentation might be feasible for the next town meeting in May, but concerns were raised about the need for adequate preparation, including having a solid proposal and public education strategy in place. The task force considered a potential timeline: first, pin down numbers with Nick, then present to the finance committee or select board, followed by public outreach to inform and engage the community before any formal proposals were made.

The presence of Chris Riley, the new LUSE director with a background in stormwater management, was seen as a positive addition to the task force. His expertise was expected to assist with outreach efforts. The need for collaboration with the conservation commission was mentioned, although their agenda was currently full.

The meeting also focused on updates for specific projects. Issues on Page Street were highlighted, where a damaged drainage pipe had been repaired after the initial investigations revealed a significant hole. The effectiveness of these interventions would be assessed after rainfall. Additionally, a project involving a detention basin on Flat Hill was discussed, with reports indicating that the town had allocated funds, and after clearing and repairing, the drainage structure had been replaced. The group expressed satisfaction that the project was completed on budget, reflecting financial oversight and efficiency.

Ongoing maintenance of stormwater infrastructure, particularly regarding compliance with MS4 certification requirements, was another key topic. The task force acknowledged that they were behind on cleaning catch basins and sweeping roads, attributing this to a lack of manpower. The importance of having adequate equipment was emphasized, and there was a call to compile a list of unmet project needs to include in their presentation, particularly as non-compliance could result in fines.

The necessity of a public hearing to gauge community sentiment regarding the proposed utility was discussed. Members considered whether they were prepared to present at the next meeting or if they should first consult other relevant boards such as the select board and finance committee. The potential for a coordinated presentation was discussed, with an emphasis on conveying the necessity of the proposed utility in light of ongoing infrastructure needs.

The conversation about establishing a utility was sensitive, given recent overrides, and there was uncertainty about how the public might react to an additional fee. A member referenced past discussions regarding financial implications for residents, drawing a comparison to senior tax relief efforts which had limited appeal. The ongoing inflationary pressures faced by the town were acknowledged, with a sense that the government needed to adapt to these economic changes. Despite potential pushback from the community, the task force believed in the importance of moving forward with their initiatives.

Additionally, there was a focus on scheduling and the challenges of upcoming public hearings, emphasizing the busy budget season ahead. Participants noted the intensity of previous year’s budget meetings, often occurring back-to-back over long durations. The task force acknowledged the strain that such commitments impose on volunteers.

The meeting also shed light on administrative challenges, such as the significant absence of documentation for various meetings over the past three years. Participants identified that they could only retrieve limited minutes from specific dates and discussed the importance of accurately documenting and approving minutes from meetings. There was a directive to consolidate documentation into a more organized system, utilizing OneDrive and SharePoint for stormwater-related documents.