General Purpose
Use the highest levels of science, innovation, conservation, and customer service to collect and monitor stormwater, maintain stormwater infrastructure, educate the public, and treat stormwater as required by State and Federal permits.
Core Functions
● Catch Basins (5,700+)
○ Continue to monitor and clean catch basins to maintain a level of <50% full.
● Drain Pipe (128 miles)
○ Continue to monitor, maintain and repair all drain pipes to ensure proper passage of stormwater and prevent localized flooding.
● Outfalls (502)
○ Continue to monitor, maintain and repair all outfalls to prevent flooding and identify and remove possible illicit discharges.
● Catchments (499)
○ Continue to monitor and investigate stormwater catchments to ensure appropriate functionality of the drainage system and prevent illicit discharges into the MS4.
● Stormwater Control Measures (307)
○ Continue to monitor and maintain all stormwater control measures (SCMs), including rain gardens, dry detention basins, infiltration basins, tree wells, stormceptors and other subsurface drainage structures. Franklin’s SCMs play a critical role in removing pollutants from stormwater and encouraging infiltration, making their maintenance and continued functionality crucial to the success of the drainage system.
● Public Education
○ Continue to educate and engage with the public on stormwater pollutants, stormwater treatment and how residents can keep Franklin’s stormwater clean and free from debris.
● Support Supplies & Equipment
○ Ensure the department has trucks, equipment, and a proper inventory of supplies for day-to-day operations and emergencies after hours.
Staffing
The salary costs for the Director, Managers and Administrative Staff are shared between the DPW General Fund and the various Enterprise funds.
The Stormwater Enterprise fund pays for 4.83 FTEs (the breakdown):
● Management & Administration: 1.23
● Engineering/GIS Staff: 0.55
● Administrative Support: 0.35
● Stormwater Division Laborers: 2.7
Strategic Initiatives & Accomplishments
● Increased MassDEP and EPA regulatory activities and how they may impact the current MS4 permit.
● The continued implementation of the Phosphorus Control Plan (PCP), specifically SCM retrofits and new construction to meet our phosphorus reduction goals.
● Continue to lead in organizing municipalities to coordinate efforts to meet regulatory compliance as possible cost saving measures.
● Continue to foster a “keep stormwater clean” attitude and understanding throughout Town with education, outreach and enforcement.
● Continue to perform public outreach regarding stormwater education and build upon past initiatives of story map and mailer information.
● Continue impervious area feature class updates to ensure accurate stormwater billing.
● Major Concerns:
○ As weather patterns continue to change, additional stresses will be placed upon the drainage system and its ability to function. Therefore, the Stormwater Division must be creative in managing future stormwater threats to Franklin. Through grant funding and collaboration with local non-profit groups, the Stormwater Division will continue to keep up-to-date on the latest innovative solutions and green infrastructure options to maintain and improve the drainage infrastructure.
FY27 Requested Budget Highlights
● Stormwater Expense Total Increase: $13,000
○ Street Sweeping - $50,000
○ Catch Basin Cleaning - Decrease ($35,000)
○ Asset Essentials Software - $2,000
○ Consulting Services - $11,000
○ Materials (Asphalt, Loam, Stone) - Decrease ($16,000)
○ Training - $1,000
FY27 Requested Budget Summary
Enterprise funds are accounted for separately from the General Operating Budget and are designed to be self-supporting through user fees and charges. As such, their revenues and expenditures do not impact the Town’s Operating Budget, as all costs are recovered within the enterprise fund rather than supported by general taxation.
This budget reflects reprioritization due to shifting obligations regarding the MS4 permit. Each line item uniquely addresses the administrative, construction, and planning aspects of the Program. The established Stormwater Utility, along with the passage of the proposed FY27 budget; will enable the Town of Franklin to be poised to address the most pressing & pertinent aspects of the MS4 permit.
