The Town of Hampden is gearing up for significant changes in stormwater management as discussions around the new MS4 general permit continue to unfold. During the recent Selectboard meeting on May 19, 2025, officials highlighted that the current permit, which has been administratively continued since 2016, will remain in effect until June 30, 2028. However, the anticipated new permit is expected to introduce several key updates.

One of the most notable changes involves public education and outreach requirements. The proposed permit emphasizes the need for municipalities to engage residents through interactive messaging, fostering a two-way flow of information. This shift aims to inspire immediate community action and participation in stormwater management efforts. Additionally, towns will be required to identify the top three non-English languages spoken in their areas, with Hampden needing to provide outreach materials in both English and Spanish, reflecting the 1.4% of the population that speaks Spanish.

While the current stormwater system monitoring areas will remain unchanged, the meeting underscored the importance of ongoing compliance with existing permit requirements, including annual reporting and maintenance activities. The Selectboard also discussed the implications of new benchmarks for ammonia levels in water quality assessments, which have been tightened from 0.5 to 0.1.

As the town prepares for these changes, officials are committed to staying informed and adapting to the evolving regulatory landscape. The final draft of the new permit is still pending, and community members are encouraged to stay engaged as updates are released.