DPW proposes new stormwater regulations

Date: 8/8/2011

Aug. 8, 2011

By Chris Maza

Reminder Assistant Editor

EAST LONGMEADOW — The East Longmeadow Department of Public Works (DPW) is making two proposals regarding stormwater at the Fall Special Town Meeting.

Aug. 5 was the last day to submit warrant articles for the meeting, which has been scheduled for Sept. 26 at 7 p.m. at the East Longmeadow High School auditorium.

The first proposal is a new by-law concerning the maintenance of the town’s stormwater basins.

“These stormwater basins and detention basins are part of the town plan and are important in protecting property,” Sean Kelley, DPW project manager, said. “When those basins aren’t maintained, it can create hazardous situations for residents. This by-law spells out the responsibilities regarding maintenance.”

A draft of the by-law provided to Reminder Publications proposes to make maintenance of detention basins the responsibility of the owner of the land upon which it is located, unless maintenance by a different entity is designated in the deed and approved by the Planning Board.

It also stipulates that DPW employees have the right to enter property containing a basin in order to perform inspections. Employees would be required to provide evidence of their employment by the town if it is requested by the property owner.

Under the by-law, if the basin is not maintained to the Board of Public Works’ specifications regarding detention basin maintenance, the property owner would receive written notice and would have 30 days to correct maintenance issues.

If those issues are not corrected within 30 days, the DPW would have the right to enter the area with any equipment necessary for the basin to be properly brought up to standards, with the cost of the repairs falling upon the land owner.

If the repairs are not paid for in 30 days, the town would place a lien against the property owner.

If the entity responsible for maintaining a basin is a homeowners’ association and the DPW is required to make repairs, each of the owners would be assessed an equal share of the debt, regardless of whether or not their lot contains the basin.

The second proposal is to delete section 8.070 of the general by-laws regarding stormwater management and replace it with a new section that includes updated definitions, permitting rules and prohibited practices.

Kelley also said there have been discussions regarding the expansion of the Redstone Rail Trail, but those are in the preliminary stages.

The discussions have mostly revolved around lengthening the trail to the north and to the south, he said, adding that if the trail is expanded, the new sections might have a different look to them.

“What I think would be nice is to keep as many trees as we can and maintain the canopy over the trail. With the current trail, we just clear-cut everything,” he said. “I think that area can remain the area where people go for a run, kids learn how to ride bikes and things like that and the new sections would be areas where you could take a nice stroll through the woods.”

Kelley also said there is the possibility of expanding west to connect the trail to Longmeadow.

“It would probably be more like a smaller sidewalk that would connect to their sidewalk system, which would make the trail more accessible to more people,” he said.