Sherborn moves to town‑wide stormwater bylaw to curb phosphorus runoff; supporters urge prompt action

At a March 21 joint hearing, the Planning Board and Town Planner urged adoption of a town‑wide Stormwater and Land Disturbance Management Bylaw to extend stormwater controls beyond the existing MS4 area and to help the town prepare for EPA and state phosphorus reduction requirements.

Planning Board Chair Stephanie Harrison described a three‑tier permitting approach: major permits for projects over one acre or new dwelling units, minor permits for projects around a half‑acre, and exemptions for smaller disturbances. She cited recent runoff into Farm Pond on Lake Street as an example of the problems the bylaw seeks to prevent. Town Planner Heidi Doyle said the proposal is in the mid‑range of neighboring communities’ requirements and that a regulatory consultant and Town Counsel have reviewed an audit and recommended updates.

Conservation Commission member Michael Lesser and other supporters said the measures align with existing conservation practices and would not be unduly burdensome. A former Advisory member urged caution, calling the change potentially premature; Planning Board Chair Harrison responded that several neighboring towns already have similar bylaws and delaying adoption increases risk of future problems. The Advisory Committee voted unanimously to recommend favorable action (8–0); the Select Board had previously voted 5–0 to support the article.