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Stormwater Division
Have you ever wondered where all the water goes when it rains or after the snow melts? Some of it seeps into the ground or evaporates, but much of it runs off over the land or through storm drains and then flows into our streams and ponds. This runoff water is called "stormwater."
Stormwater picks up litter, sand, bacteria, oil and other chemicals as it flows over the land, and carries these pollutants to our streams, ponds, and wetlands. Runoff from paved surfaces, such as roads, parking lots, and rooftops, may contribute large amounts of polluted stormwater.
Simply by putting fewer pollutants on the land, stormwater will be cleaner as it flows into our lakes and rivers. Cleaning up stormwater not only benefits your neighborhood and community, it benefits the entire network of water bodies and land that make up our watershed. We all need clean water for drinking, swimming, fishing, boating, and for protecting wildlife.
Keeping stormwater clean is in our best interest.
The Town of Franklin is working hard to protect water quality by keeping pollutants out of stormwater. We're also trying to prevent flooding and erosion by managing stormwater flow. Our community must comply with federal and state stormwater requirements, and we need your help.
Related Documents
- Credit Manual (PDF)
- Stormwater Utility - Information Packet (PDF)
- Franklin Stormwater Outfall Map (PDF)
- Franklin Stormwater Division Utility Discussion Presentation (PDF)
- Franklin Rain Garden Tour Brochure (PDF)
- 2014 Draft MA Small MS4 General Permit - Comments from Franklin (PDF)
- Upper Charles River Stormwater Feasibility Study - Public Forum Presentation (PDF)
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Derek Adams
Stormwater and Environmental Affairs Superintendent
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Stormwater Division
Physical Address
257 Fisher Street
Franklin, MA 02038
Phone: 508-553-5500Fax: 508-520-4939
Stormwater Hotline: 508-553-5500
- All of the water on my property stays on my property. Can I be exempt from paying the stormwater utility?
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No. The utility applies to every property in Town. Whether or not all of the rainwater that falls on your property stays on your property - the Town of Franklin is still required to abide by the MS4 permit. The Municipal Small Separate Sewer System Permit is an unfunded Federal Mandate. While funds for this effort were traditionally allocated to the Highway Department from the General Fund, the costs associated with the requirements are increasing exponentially. This is why the Town adopted a stormwater utility. It is no longer feasible and is not sustainable to draw these funds from the General Fund. Street sweeping and catch basin cleaning must be enhanced - additional tasks include:
- Catchment investigations
- Outfall testing
- Installation of infrastructure
- Detention basin maintenance
- Lining of drain pipes
- Retrofits of existing infrastructure
- Etc.
This is a community-based solution to a community-based problem.
- Are Town facilities subject to the stormwater utility?
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Yes. They are subject to the stormwater utility, just as they are subject to paying for water, sewer, trash and recycling.
- Are universities and other educational institutions exempt from the utility?
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No. The stormwater utility applies to all parcels in town. There are no exemptions. Separately, there are:
- Credits (eligible infrastructure for stormwater storage and treatment)
- Abatements (corrections for improperly calculated Impervious Area)