Town says Downtown Stormwater Project pre-applications scored highly with NHDES; loans possible

Town Administrator Ellen Smith told the board that both pre-applications for the Downtown Stormwater Project — the Upper Bypass Construction effort — submitted to the Clean Water State Revolving Fund and the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund had "scored very high on the project priority lists issued by the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES)." Smith said NHDES will hold a public hearing at the beginning of August and that the final funding/prioritization list will be released afterward; if the project remains on the final list the town can proceed to apply for loans.

Smith also updated the board on a field review for a related project submitted for inclusion in the NHDOT 10-year Transportation Plan that would address stormwater problems from the Hill Street/Bixby Street/Route 124 intersection to the base of the library property. That project was not initially included in the 10-year plan but was added back into a version the Governor vetoed; Smith said there has been discussion in the legislature about trying to override the veto. The town will monitor developments and await the final lists before taking funding actions.