Town Meeting approved Article 24, amending the town's stormwater bylaws to align with the federal Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) MS4 requirements. Town Planner Karen Joseph explained that the updates are a matter of legal necessity, as the town must comply with the new federal standards by December 31, 2025, or face potential fines. We don't want the town to be fined... much is housekeeping and it's really just adding a bunch of stuff that the EPA required us to have, Joseph said.

The changes include a 25% impervious surface threshold and new permitting requirements for certain types of site work. Some residents questioned the potential costs of these permits and the impact on private property, but the majority of voters agreed that the risk of federal penalties made the update necessary. The measure passed with a vote of 87 in favor and 29 opposed.

Motion: To update the General Bylaw regarding Stormwater.

Vote: Passed by Majority