Stormwater Asset Management Program

Barrington Washout

Barrington was awarded a $30,000 forgivable loan through the NHDES Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) for stormwater asset management.  These funds will be used in the pursuit of enhanced asset management for Barrington’s roads and related infrastructure.  This program will also help jumpstart the broader GIS-based asset management program within the Highway Department.  Voters approved the pursuit of this funding in March of 2020 and the Select Board chose Hoyle, Tanner, and Associates as the engineering consultant.

April 5 through April 9, 2021 (Field Work)

Data collection is a fundamental aspect of the CWSRF program.  During the week of April 5th, Aiden Short from Hoyle, Tanner and Associates will be in the field with Highway Department staff performing GIS-based data collection of Barrington's stormwater assets (culverts, catch basins, retention ponds, drainage ditches, etc.).  This data collection will include driving throughout Town making observations and collecting data points.  

March 3, 2021 (Governor and Executive Council Meeting)

Final approval of the Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan agreement required action by the Governor and Executive Council.

#46 Authorized a Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan agreement with the Town of Barrington in an amount not to exceed $30,000 to finance the Stormwater System Asset Management Program. Effective upon G&C approval. 100% CWSRF Repayment Funds. VOTE:5-0

November 9, 2020 (Select Board Meeting)

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The Select Board voted to authorize the Select Board Chair or Town Administrator to sign the necessary paperwork.

Selectperson Knapp requested confirmation the Town will have no budget impact from this grant. TA MacIver confirmed there will be no financial liability until the grant is approved.
Motion to allow the Select Board Chair or Town Administrator to act as signatory on Asset Management Grant paperwork with the condition that there be no financial liability to the Town by Selectperson Bailey, seconded by Selectperson Ayer. Roll call vote: Ayer – Aye, Bailey – Aye, Knapp- Aye, Saccoccia – Aye, Hardekopf - Aye. The motion passed.

June 8, 2020 (Select Board Meeting)

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  1. Bid Award – Asset Management Grant Engineering Consultant – Vote
    1. On March 31, 2020 the Town advertised the Asset Management Grant Engineering Consultant Request for Proposals.
    2. The Town received four responses:
      1. See attached, Dubois & King, Inc.
      2. See attached, Hoyle, Tanner, & Associates, Inc.
      3. See attached, VHB
      4. See attached, Weston & Sampson
    3. Staff followed the Qualifications Based Selection (QBS) process required by the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF).  Each firm demonstrated unique qualifications and experiences.  Based on familiarity with this grant program, experience with GIS-based asset management software, and strong references, staff recommends selecting Hoyle, Tanner, & Associates, Inc. as the engineering consultant for the Asset Management Grant Program.
    4. Experience with the grant program is crucial to maximize the value of the $30,000 grant; paying an engineering consultant to familiarize themselves with the grant program would be inefficient.  The primary purpose of pursuing this grant opportunity was to develop a GIS-based asset management program for our highway infrastructure.  Selecting a firm which has experience implementing many programs will promote the most appropriate software selection for the Town of Barrington.  Finally, being able to hear positive experiences from other communities which have completed this grant program with Hoyle, Tanner, and Associates, Inc. as a partner reinforced our perspective after reviewing the submitted materials.

Motion to award the Asset Management Grant Engineering Consultant project to Hoyle, Tanner, and Associates, Inc. on the condition Town Administrator MacIver discuss concerns regarding previous projects by Selectperson Bailey, seconded by Selectperson Knapp. Roll call vote: Ayer – No, Bailey – Aye, Knapp -Aye, Saccoccia – Aye, Hardekopf - Aye. The motion passed.

March 31, 2020 (Town Website)

The Request for Qualifications is available on the Town’s website.

Responses are due on May 6th with a recommendation to be prepared for the June 8th Select Board meeting.

March 23, 2020 (Select Board Meeting)

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At Town Meeting in 2020, voters authorized the pursuit of a $30,000 stormwater asset management grant.  The next step towards receiving this grant is to engage the services of a qualified consultant to develop a project scope for the grant.  NHDES requires a qualifications-based selection process for the engineering consultant.  The Town will work with NHDES to advertise a request for qualifications pursuant to their process requirements. 

Motion to authorize Administrator MacIver to write the RFQ seeking a qualified consultant related to the stormwater asset management grant by Selectperson Knapp, seconded by Selectperson Ayer. Ayer – Aye, Bailey – Aye, Saccoccia – Aye, Knapp – Aye, Hardekopf - Aye. The motion passed.

March 10, 2020 (Town Meeting Ballot Session)

By a vote of 1,605 to 637 (71.5%) voters approved Article 4, the for Stormwater Asset Management.

January 6, 2020 (Warrant Public Hearing)

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  1. Stormwater Asset Management Grant Bond - $30,000
    1. Bond Public Hearing pursuant to RSA 33:8-a, I; RSA 40:13, II-a (c)
    2. Warrant Article Language:
      1. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $30,000 (gross budget) to defray the cost of planning for public facilities for development and implementation of an asset management plan for the Town’s stormwater collection and conveyance systems and, to authorize the issuance of not more than $30,000 of bonds or notes in accordance with the provisions of the Municipal Finance Act (RSA 33); and, further, to authorize the Select Board to apply for a Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) loan. Repayment of the loan funds will include up to 100% forgiveness of loan principal in an amount up to $30,000. Further, to authorize the Select Board to take all other actions necessary to carry out and complete this project.
    3. Passage of this warrant article will allow the Town to pursue a $30,000 grant for asset management.  If the Town is not awarded the grant, no funds will be borrowed or expended.

December 2, 2019 (Select Board Meeting)

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  1. In pursuit of enhanced asset management for Barrington’s roads, staff identified a grant opportunity worth pursuing.  If awarded, this grant would fund $30,000 toward stormwater asset management (culverts, drainage structures, and supporting infrastructure).  This funding would help jumpstart the GIS-based asset management program within the Highway Department.
  2. The Federal Environmental Protection Agency regulates municipal stormwater systems (MS4s) with the assistance of state agencies (NHDES).  The requirements to track and monitor stormwater and its environmental impact are increasingly impactful to municipal budgets.  To assist with MS4 compliance, state-administered, federal money is available through various grants and loans with principal forgiveness. 
  3. Based on population density, Barrington currently has a waiver for the MS4 requirements.  Waiver communities are encouraged to be proactive with their MS4 compliance in order to avoid significant costs to come into compliance (if the waiver were to be rescinded).  Communities holding an MS4 waiver are especially encouraged to pursue the grant funds available.
  4. Specifically, there is Asset Management funding available through the NHDES Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF).  This funding is structured as a low-interest loan which is eligible for 100% forgiveness up to $30,000.  The proposal would be to pursue $30,000 in funding contingent on approval of 100% loan forgiveness.  Authorization to borrow requires the approval of the legislative body (voters).
  5. I propose the following warrant article which, if approved, would allow us to pursue up to $30,000 in funding from the CWSRF for asset management.
  6. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $30,000 (gross budget) to defray the cost of planning for public facilities for development and implementation of an asset management plan for the Town’s stormwater collection and conveyance systems and, to authorize the issuance of not more than $30,000 of bonds or notes in accordance with the provisions of the Municipal Finance Act (RSA 33); and, further, to authorize the Select Board to apply for a Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) loan.  Repayment of the loan funds will include up to 100% forgiveness of loan principal in an amount up to $30,000.  Further, to authorize the Select Board to take all other actions necessary to carry out and complete this project.

Motion to authorize the NHDES warrant article for a $30,000 asset management grant by Chairperson Knapp, seconded by Selectperson Ayer. Ayer – Aye, Bailey – Aye, Knapp – Aye. The motion passed.