SAUGUS — Town Meeting members will consider a $350,000 analysis to address an ongoing stormwater runoff problem on Monday.
The review would determine a course of action for completing stormwater projects across town over the next two decades and would eventually lead to the design and construction of a new stormwater system.
“This would be getting an allocation of money so we can start that project, as far as doing the analysis and putting a master plan together for stormwater, which is, as everybody knows, a major issue in the town of Saugus, as well as most communities,” said Town Manager Scott Crabtree, who proposed the article.
Approving the article would allow the Board of Selectmen to borrow the $350,000, and authorize Crabtree to apply for federal and state aid available for the projects.
In the meantime, the town is offering discounted rain barrels to residents through Great American Rain Barrel Company to promote water conservation and sustainability.
By promoting the use of rain barrels, the town hopes to reduce water consumption and the amount of stormwater entering the sewer system. Each barrel can hold up to 60 gallons of water, according Crabtree. The cost of the barrels range from $40 to $50.
“If every home in Saugus has just one rain barrel, our community could potentially eliminate 660,000 gallons of runoff for every eighth-inch of rain,” he said. “It’s a significant source of water that residents can be using for free, and the widespread use of rain barrels could help reduce the town’s long-term sewer management costs.”
