LID bylaw proposed, to be voted on at town meeting
By Karen Mann JOURNAL CORRESPONDENT

If adopted, a new bylaw would require developers in Ashburnham to instill Low Impact Development practices into their projects.

The LID practices would help to prevent damage that occurs from storm water runoff, a common problem when a plot of land is developed, say many town officials supporting the proposal.

"The roadways itself don't have a lot of drainage, so it comes right off of the site, hits the pavement, and hits the lake with no treatment whatsoever," said Conservation Agent Lori Capone.

According to the LID Bylaw Committee, the purpose of the bylaw is "to protect and preserve the surface and groundwater resources of the town and region from any use of land or buildings, which may reduce the quality and quantity of its water resources, and further to conserve the natural resources of Ashburnham."

A town or city puts in its own rules and regulations specific to its community after adopting the bylaw.

Under the LID bylaw, the amount and quality of storm water runoff would have to be equal or better than pre-development conditions.

Not only would these LID regulations protect water sources in town, it would save taxpayers money, by not having to pay after for damage caused.

According to the committee, it is cheaper to prevent damages than to restore or treat polluted waters.

"They are common sense techniques that will reduce costs in the end," said Capone.

Some of the LID practices include reducing impervious cover and preserving green and space and other natural areas, by using smaller retension basins and swales to carry storm water away, according to Town Planner Eric Smith.

Smith does not think LID regulations would discourage development in town and it would keep neighbors happy.

"The biggest complaints we get are clearing of Approval Not Required lots," Smith said.

With ANR lots, work can be done without receiving the go-ahead from the planning board.

Smith said the LID bylaw would give them some control over the ANR lots.

For Capone, it would help to regulate a lot of activity that falls outside the jurisdiction

of the conservation commission.

"Anything that ends 100 feet away from wetlands, they can clear," said Capone. "With steep slopes in town, a lot of activity falls out of the jurisdiction, but in reality impacts the areas."

Complying with LID regulations would be one more thing developers have to submit proof of when they submit their checklist of other compliances with the planning board.

Since the planning board would be the regulating authority of LID, this could be reviewed at the same time.

Two LID permits, a regular one and a simplified one, for smaller projects, would be offered.

Smith said the simplified permit, most likely for single-family residences, involve engineering work already required under Title V, so there is minimal additional cost and work.

For the larger developments, Smith said, most of this planning and work is done anyways.

The LID bylaw is similar to storm water bylaws that many other communities have in place. Ashburnham does not.

"It is just plugging a hole that is missing right now," said Smith.

The bylaw was put on the warrant for a special town meeting to be held on Thursday, Nov. 15. Prior to that, a public hearing will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 24, at 7 p.m. at Overlook Middle School to discuss the LID bylaw and answer any questions the public may have.

"Education is a big part of the process," said Smith.