Town of Easton - Stormwater Utility Steering Committee

05/19/2026

Thank you to the residents of Easton for your engagement throughout this process and for the thoughtful discussion at Town Meeting last night!

Over the course of many public meetings and conversations, committee members and residents raised important questions and comments that helped strengthen the proposal and improve public understanding of the challenges facing our town’s stormwater infrastructure and regulatory obligations.

With the article’s passage, the Town will now move into the implementation phase of the utility. Billing is expected to begin during the coming fiscal year (aka after July 1, 2026), and additional information regarding rates, timelines, and program details will be communicated via the Select Board and DPW as implementation progresses. Should you have any further questions, please reach out at: [email protected]. This committee will officially be dissolved as of June 30, 2026.

Thanks again to everyone who participated in the process and took the time to stay informed on this important issue!

05/17/2026

Reminder: Annual Town Meeting is TOMORROW (Monday, May 18th) at 7PM! Learn more about the stormwater utility that voters will consider. Here's an info sheet and FAQs.

04/16/2026

Learn more about the stormwater utility that voters will consider at Annual Town Meeting on Monday, May 18, 2026 at 7PM! Here's an info sheet and FAQs.

You can also download this as a pdf here:
https://bit.ly/swusc-info

Questions?
Comment here or email us: [email protected]

04/15/2026

Hello! For those interested, here is a presentation on the final recommendation of the Stormwater Utility to the Selectboard during their April 6, 2026 meeting. The link should bring you right to that part.

Watch here: https://youtu.be/dGY0TVY4SDk?si=FBr_QaqYlNtdk8zC&t=4743

Please reach out via email at [email protected] with any questions.

1 like. "Select Board Meeting and Rent Control Board Meeting 4/06/26"

04/02/2026

Hello! There’s a remote meeting on Thursday, April 2nd at 5pm (with public comment) for anyone who wants to provide feedback to the committee. See link below for details on how to join the meeting on Zoom.

Final presentation to the Selectboard is Monday, April 6 during their meeting.

03/24/2026

Here are a couple more FAQs about the potential stormwater utility!

❓ I’ve never had drainage issues. Why should I pay?
💬 Why do I have to pay a fee if I take care of stormwater on my property? Fees collected from stormwater utility go into a dedicated fund to pay specifically for the work of operating, maintaining, and improving the Town’s public stormwater infrastructure. The impervious area calculation is the measurement tool used to determine the fee, similar to how a water meter is used to calculate a water bill. Everyone benefits from properly maintained stormwater infrastructure throughout the Town, including culverts, catch basins, and stormwater conveyance pipes, which help prevent flooding and ensure safe travel on roads. The stormwater utility ensures these systems are properly maintained and that all property owners contribute their fair share.

❓ How is total impervious area calculated?
💬 Impervious areas are measured using the Town’s mapping system (GIS). Impervious areas such as buildings, driveways, parking areas, and swimming pools are delineated in GIS utilizing aerial imaging software.

⭐ Have more questions?
➜ Email us: [email protected]

03/17/2026

Here's the next round of FAQs about the potential stormwater utility. Stay tuned for more!

❓ Why should Easton implement a Stormwater Utility?
💬 The Department of Public Works (DPW) has long been responsible for operating, maintaining, and improving the Town’s drainage system, which includes 5,135 drainage structures, 197 culverts, and 391,000 linear feet of drain lines. A well-functioning drainage system keeps roads passable and protects public health and private property. Funding stormwater management through a fee-based utility is a fair and equitable approach. A stormwater utility ensures that all properties, including tax-exempt ones, contribute to the system, with revenue dedicated exclusively to stormwater-related expenses.

❓ Is this a tax?
💬 No. Unlike a tax, these funds go directly and exclusively towards a specific service.

❓ Does this impact other enterprise funds?
💬 No, this is a separate fund and does not impact existing utilities.

03/10/2026

We'll be sharing FAQs about the potential stormwater utility over the next couple weeks. Here's the first few – stay tuned for more!

❓ Why do we need to maintain our stormwater system?
💬 Maintenance is essential because it prevents flooding by keeping drains and pipes clear. It also protects water quality by ensuring treatment structures (like catch basins) work properly and extends infrastructure life and avoids costly emergency repairs. Lastly, it helps municipalities meet federal obligations for water quality and infrastructure.

❓ How is stormwater maintenance currently funded?
💬 Stormwater items are currently funded through general tax revenues (property taxes, municipal budgets) and grants from state or federal programs.

❓ Why is the Town implementing this utility now?
💬 The Town is facing increasing costs to maintain aging infrastructure, meet state and federal requirements, and manage flooding and pollution. A stormwater utility provides a fair and sustainable way to fund these efforts. Establishing this utility will allow for proactive planning, budgeting, and investment in long-term stormwater improvements, reducing costly emergency responses.

02/13/2026

Thanks to those who attended our first informational meeting earlier this week! We value your input. We're planning on scheduling another community meeting soon.

Stay tuned for FAQs that we'll be posting here on our page!

02/09/2026

WHO WE ARE
The Stormwater Utility Steering Committee was established by the Select Board in response to the critical importance of sustainable stormwater management, state and federal regulatory requirements, and a lack of funding to address these requirements and related infrastructure needs for our town. We’re working in partnership with the Director of Public Works to assess the feasibility of creating a stormwater utility enterprise fund. There will be a presentation in March to the Select Board on the findings/recommendations, which will inform the fee structure and associated bylaws that voters will consider at the Annual Town Meeting.

WHAT'S A STORMWATER UTILITY?
It’s a fee that all properties pay to support the proper maintenance and operation of our stormwater drainage system. This fee creates a dedicated funding source for essential work, such as flood prevention, catch basin restoration, culvert repairs, and mandated permit requirements.

LEARN MORE!
Join us at an informational community meeting on February 11th.
Meeting Details: https://www.facebook.com/share/1FDKDUrVn9/
More Info About the Committee: https://bit.ly/easton-swusc