Stormwater Enterprise

What Is the Stormwater Enterprise?

On October 1, 2019 during Special Town Meeting, the Town accepted the provisions of Chapter 44, section 53F 1 / 2 of the Massachusetts General Laws establishing a Stormwater Management Operations Enterprise Fund effective July 1, 2020 (Fiscal Year 2021). This article authorized the Town to create an Enterprise Fund to account for the revenues and expenditures associated with stormwater management.

What Is the Stormwater Enterprise Fee Used for?

The stormwater fee is deposited into an enterprise fund. This fund is used to support the operation, maintenance, upgrades, and expansion of the existing stormwater system and also to meet compliance with the 2016 Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4) Permit, which became effective on July 1, 2018. The Town will incur significant costs in order to meet the mandates within the permit. Learn about the Town's Stormwater Management Program at the Stormwater Management page.

How Is the Stormwater Enterprise Fee Calculated?

The stormwater fee is billed based on two Land Use Categories. The first category is Small Residential, which is defined as properties with three or fewer residential units. Examples of these are single-family homes, duplexes, and triplexes. The second category is Commercial / Large Residential. Large Residential is defined as properties with four or more residential units. Examples of Commercial / Large Residential properties include retail, industrial, large condo complexes, and mixed-use developments.

Small Residential properties are billed a flat fee of $75 per year in three installments. Commercial / Large Residential properties are billed based on an Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU) factor. The Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU) was determined by calculating the median impervious area of a Small Residential property which is 4,443 square feet. The ERU factor for Commercial / Large Residential properties is calculated by dividing the parcel's total impervious area by 4,443 square feet. The fee is calculated by multiplying the ERU factor by $75 to get the annual rate.

ERU Factor Calculation Example

Total Impervious Area ÷ ERU = ERU Factor x Rate = Fee
5,678 square feet ÷ 4,443 square feet = 1.28 x $75 = $96

Impervious surface areas were measured using aerial photography / imagery. Stormwater Enterprise fees are billed in three installments, which are included on water-sewer bills.