Town adding stormwater runoff fees
Bills are based on the amount of “impervious surfaces” on properties that favor runoff over absorption, such as driveways and roofs.
New stormwater fees are appearing on utility bills this month.
As backers tout their benefits, property owners can expect to pay bills based on the amount of “impervious surfaces” on their land that favor runoff over absorption, such as driveways and roofs.
Public works staff say money will help maintain Acton’s aging drainage infrastructure, prevent flooding, and protect waterways from runoff pollution. However, some residents are sounding alarms about a new fee and the town’s cost of living.
For most small-property owners, this will add up to a few dollars per month. “It’s small, but it’s significant,” Public Works Director Alan Cathcart told The Acton Bridge of the revenue the town will reap from the program.
Monthly charges will range from $3.44 for small residential properties to nearly $1,950 for certain larger developments.
Stormwater money will flow into a new enterprise fund. Town Meeting approved the billing last year.
Finance Committee member John Garofalo recently told colleagues that he often hears concerns about affordability. In addition to taxes, he said Acton’s “rapidly increasing” enterprise funds are part of the problem.
Town Engineer Steve Dookran told The Bridge last year that “things don’t get better,” and better maintenance could save the town from more expensive emergency repairs.
Acton has a system for property owners to challenge potential errors in impervious surface calculations. People who maintain stormwater management systems and low-income residents can apply for a fee reduction.
Cathcart previously told the Public Works Commission that “there aren’t a lot” of stormwater utility programs like this. One town map showed only 34 cities and towns with similar utilities across New England.
“It’s new, and because it’s new, people are going to be asking questions,” he told The Bridge, “but ultimately the questions aren’t bad.”
The town has a searchable database where residents can find their projected fee. It’s at concordma.gov/4069/Stormwater-Utility-Fee.
