Stormwater Information
Stormwater Management Bylaw:
We are proposing to amend the General By-laws by revising Article XXIV, entitled “Stormwater Management Bylaw" and Article XIX, entitled "Non Criminal DIsposition of Violation of Town Bylawm, etc." at the May 17, 2021 Town Meeting with the updated Bylaw, see link below. Please provide comments to Isabel McCauley at imccauley@holdenma.gov.
Proposed Revisions to Article XXIV
Proposed Revisions to Article XIX
Stormwater Management Rules and Regulations
Central Massachusetts Regional Stormwater Coalition (CMRSC)
The Town of Holden is an active participant in the Central Massachusetts Regional Stormwater Coalition (the Coalition). The Coalition was officially formed in FY2012 with 13 members, expanding to 30 in FY2013. The Coalition was created as a result of a Community Innovation Challenge (CIC) grant from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Administration and Finance. Currently, the Coalition includes 28 towns: Auburn, Boylston, Charlton, Dudley, Grafton, Hardwick, Holden, Hopkinton, Leicester, Millbury, Monson, Northbridge, Northborough, Oxford, Palmer, Paxton, Rutland, Shrewsbury, Southbridge, Spencer, Sturbridge, Upton, Uxbridge, Ware, Webster, West Boylston, Westborough, and Wilbraham. Specific information for homeowners, educators, kids and others is available in the Coalition's website.
- The Central Massachusetts Regional Stormwater Coalition was honored April 1 as a recipient of the first Annual “Best Stormwater Idea in New England," also known as a STORMY Award. This honor was bestowed by the New England Stormwater Collaborative, a joint effort of the New England Water Environment Association (NEWEA), the New England Chapter of the American Public Works Association (APWA), and the New England Water Works Association (NEWWA). To read about the award ceremony, please check out the Stormwater Report, published by the Water Environment Federation.
2016 Massachusetts Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4)
Under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) General Permit, the Town has obtained coverage under the 2016 Massachusetts Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4), which will replace the Town’s 2003 permit. Below is a copy of the completed Notice of Intent (NOI) to continue coverage under the MS4 General Permit and a copy of the Annual Report.
The Notice of Intent is available here.
Stormwater Management Program (SWMP)
The Town has developed a SWMP under the requirements of the 2016 EPA's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) General Permit.
Click Here to submit a comment on the SWMP.
Board of Selectmen Presentation 10/5/2020
Public Education and Outreach
As part of the NOI, the DPW is conducting public education and outreach. The purpose of the outreach is to help educate all types of audiences about how we can, as a community, improve our stormwater management and decrease pollution. The following is a link to educational brochures that we have made available to the public.
Massachusetts Think Blue Campaign
The Town of Holden is involved with the Massachusetts Think Blue campaign to help residents and businesses reduce pollution and improve our streams and lakes. It is a coalition made up of ten regional stormwater groups, including Holden. The communities have joined forces in 2016 to help towns and cities meet their stormwater permit requirements. All together, the coalition consists of 130 communities across the state. The following is a link to the Think Blue website, which also has more information about stormwater and what you can do to help reduce pollution.
Click here to watch a video on the Think Blue Massachusetts Campaign.
http://www.thinkbluemassachusetts.org
