The Select Board will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, September 24, 2025 at 7:15 pm in the Select Board Chambers in Town Hall and via Zoom to consider the draft language for Article 7 of the Town's By-laws as they pertain to stormwater.
The Town’s Stormwater By-Law, originally adopted in 2018, has undergone review and revisions by the Stormwater By-Law Working Group (SBLWG) to ensure consistency with the current National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES). The Town must meet the requirements for an MS4 Permit (Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System) as outlined in the Clean Water Act. The by-law revisions will incorporate updates to applicable state and federal laws, and expand the by-law’s scope to address community water quantity concerns in addition to water quality protection.
Since July 2024, the SBLWG has reviewed the existing by-law and developed a draft revision to be included in the warrant for Needham’s Special Town Meeting in October. Key milestones in this process include:
July 22, 2025: Select Board Information Session
August 5, 2025: Public Listening Session
July 22- August 30, 2025: Collection of public questions and comments
In parallel, the SBLWG is preparing draft Stormwater Regulations to serve as a companion document to the revised by-law. The regulations will provide the framework for implementation following the anticipated adoption of Article 7 at Special Town Meeting.
The proposed changes to Article 7 can be found on the Town's website.
How to Participate in a Public Hearing
There are 3 ways to share feedback at a public hearing:
1. Attend the meeting in person to speak
2. Attend the meeting by Zoom and raise your virtual hand to ask to speak.
3. Send written comments in advance of the hearing to selectboard@needhamma.gov or by postal mail to: Select Board, Needham Town Hall, 1471 Highland Avenue, Needham, MA 02492.
