Frequently Asked Questions

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.

Yes. They are subject to the stormwater utility, just as they are subject to paying for water, sewer, trash and recycling.

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)

Visit the Impervious Area Map. Scroll through the map, or enter your property in the Search Bar.

You are not. This is a utility, not a tax. As a Utility, it applies to all parcels in Town. There are no exemptions. Therefore, commercial and industrial properties will be billed accordingly. The utility also applies to educational institutions and religious organizations, which would have not been billed if this were a tax.

The bills for condominiums will be sent to the owner of the land associated with the condominium. The land-owner will collect the funds as they see fit.

The Stormwater Credit manual (PDF) is posted online. Overall, residents and businesses are eligible for up to 50% credit off of their Stormwater Utility Bill. There is a 25% credit for stormwater "treatment" and 25% for stormwater "storage." Details of such can be found in the Credit Manual.

The stormwater utility fee will appear on your regular utility bill, which is sent out quarterly.

Please complete an Impervious Area Abatement application online and the DPW will be in contact with you. Contact the DPW Administration Building. A site-visit will be conducted. "Do we have your permission to enter your property to conduct the site-visit?"

No, it does not. 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. While these funds traditionally were 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. Street sweeping and catch basin cleaning must be enhanced. There are many other tasks that must be accomplished to abide by the permit: Catchment investigations, outfall testing, installation of infrastructure, detention basin maintenance, lining of drain pipes, repairs of existing infrastructure, etc. This is a community-based solution to a community-based problem.