TOWN OF LEICESTER MASSACHUSETTS

BY-LAW COMMITTEE

 
 

 

Marjorie A. Cooper, Chairman

 

Justina R. Lachapelle

John Kachadorian
Ruth White Kaminski, Clerk

 

MEETING OF STORM WATER EXPANDED BYLAW COMMITTEE 2/28/07

 

The meeting of the bylaw committee in conjunction with the Storm water Bylaw Sub Group began at 7 p.m. on February 28, 2007 in the Police Station meeting room with the following persons present:  Marjorie Cooper, Justine Lachapelle, Ruth Kaminski, Michelle Buck, Town Planner, Darlene O’Connor, Town Health Agent, Ed Himlan, MWC, Glenda Williamson , Conservation Commission.  Rob McNeil arrived at 8 p.m. 

 

Not present: James Coughlin, Highway Superintendent.

 

A discussion of bylaws throughout the state took place.  Highlights of that discussion included:

  • Some towns as part of their compliance with storm water regulations only do public relations campaigns
  • Others have very simple 2 page bylaws that refer to authority as either DPW Director,  Town Engineers, Town Planners, or Conservation Commission such as Sturbridge or Walpole.
  • Broad end of spectrum would be towns like Arlington or Franklin which have extensive all inclusive bylaws that are up to as much as 80 to 100 pages.
  • Consensus was that the Cohasset bylaw sent by Ed Himlan and the suggested Leicester bylaw first draft was over the 50% mark and on the side of the scale toward the Arlington example.  Rob McNeil, Michelle Buck, Bob Reed (verbally through Ruth Kaminski) and Ruth felt that a bylaw with less expression was better suited for Leicester.  The Sturbridge and/or Walpole type example would be compared to the Leicester Draft for discussion at the next meeting.
  • In conjunction with reviewing said examples for comparison would be the production of a list of existing regulations that reference the storm water regulations.  This will be created by Ed, Michelle, Darlene, Rob and Glenda for review by all.
  • Some wonder if the existing regulations upgraded to better meet the storm water regulations would be suitable.
  • Ruth distributed literature from: Dedham, Topsfield, Templeton, Sturbridge, Arlington, Franklin, Brookline, Hampden, Hamilton, Townsend, Walpole, Wakefield, Wilmington, Southborough, Albemarle County, Virginia and some towns in Vermont as well as Grand Traverse County Missouri.
  • The need for operation and maintenance plans for BMP’s was discussed and all towns contacted by Ruth stressed how important this was to consider in preparing the regulations.
  • Justina will be preparing a comparison of “exemptions” in the bylaws distributed to enable the group to review for purposes of inclusion in the bylaw being created.

 

Ruth presented a public relations campaign, which included local cable access, schools, speaking at local business meetings, handouts at town meetings-library-other places, use of town web site and more.  Ruth will work with Jim Coughlin and start the “SW Campaign” to educate and alert people to storm water management and the need for such.

 

Ruth distributed samples of public relations literature to those in attendance.  Videos, PowerPoint slide shows, and printed material will be used.  Much is available from a number of sources including but not limited to EPA, DEP, Watershed groups, other communities etc.

 

Rob gave an explanation of the need for operation and maintenance and storm water BMP’s in general primarily for those new to the group.

 

Ed presented a slide show explaining SW bylaws in general and what they contained.

 

Ruth will provide the group by email a copy of the town of Leicester’s Storm Water Management Plans submitted to EPA along with a couple from other communities to review.

 

Next meeting scheduled for March 28th at 7 p.m. at the Police Station.

 

The General Bylaw committee then briefly discussed the January 8th letter from the Board of Selectmen regarding items for town meeting.

A meeting was scheduled for March 15th at 7 p.m. at the Police Station for the general bylaw committee to discuss:

  • Alarm bylaw
  • Those appointed to committees – Abandonment clause
  • Fees for certain licenses

 

It was mentioned that the general bylaw group needed one more member to fill a vacancy.  Ruth said she would look to try and find someone to fill that vacancy to assist in quorum and general business operations of the group.

 

Ruth also asked that the Town Planner consider looking into portable container placement in residential neighborhoods and possibly the need for a bylaw pertaining to such.

 

Meeting adjourned at 9 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Ruth Kaminski

Ruth Kaminski, member/clerk

 

Cc:       SWM sub group

Bylaw committee

            Town Administrator