[Adopted 7-14-2008 by Ord. No. 2008-04 (Ch. 145 of the 2007 Code)]
The following definitions describe the meanings of the terms
used in this article:
ADVERSE IMPACT
Any effect on waters or wetlands, including their quality,
quantity, surface area, species composition, aesthetics or usefulness
for human or natural uses, which is or may potentially be harmful
or injurious to human health, welfare, safety or property, to biological
productivity, diversity, or stability or which unreasonably interferes
with the enjoyment of life or property, including outdoor recreation.
BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES (BMPs)
Structural or biological devices that retain, temporarily
store, and/or treat stormwater runoff to reduce the quantity and/or
improve the quality of stormwater runoff. BMPs, as recognized by both
the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the Massachusetts
Department of Environmental Management, can also be nonstructural
practices, such as a maintenance procedure, that reduce pollutants
at their source. BMPs are further described in a stormwater design
manual, Stormwater Management Handbook, Volume 2: Stormwater Technical
Handbook (March, 1997, Mass. Department of Environmental Protection,
as may from time to time be updated or amended) or by any similar
descriptions for such practices as may be adopted by the Massachusetts
Department of Environmental Protection to replace or supplement this
guide.
CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY
Disturbance of the ground by removal or moving of vegetative
surface cover or topsoil, grading, excavation, clearing or filling.
DESIGN STORM
A rainfall event of specified size and return frequency that
is used to calculate the runoff volume and peak discharge rate to
a BMP.
DETENTION
The temporary storage of storm runoff in a BMP, which is
used to control the peak discharge rates, and which provides gravity
settling of pollutants.
DISTURBANCE
Any land clearing, grading, bulldozing, digging or similar
activities.
DRAINAGE AREA
That area contributing runoff to a single point measured
in a horizontal plane, which is enclosed by a ridgeline.
DRY WELL
Similar to an infiltration trench but smaller, with inflow
from a pipe; commonly covered with soil and used for drainage areas
of less than one acre, such as roadside inlets and rooftop runoff.
EASEMENT
A grant or reservation by the owner of land for the use of
such land by others for a specific purpose or purposes, and which
must be included in the conveyance of land affected by such easement.
FLOW ATTENUATION
Prolonging the flow time of runoff to reduce the peak discharge.
HYDROLOGY MODEL
May include one of the following:
A.
TR-20, a watershed hydrology model developed by the Natural
Resources Conservation Service Act that is used to route a design
storm hydrograph through a pond;
B.
TR 55, or Technical Release 55, Urban Hydrology for Small Watersheds,
is a publication developed by the Natural Resources Conservation Service
to calculate stormwater runoff and an aid in designing detention basins;
IMPERVIOUS SURFACES
Developed areas, such as pavement or rooftops, that prevent
the infiltration of water into the soil.
INFILTRATION
The downward movement of water from the surface to the subsoil.
INFILTRATION TRENCH
A stormwater management excavation filled with aggregate
that removes both soluble and particulate pollutants. Trenches are
not intended to trap coarse sediments.
OUTFALL
The terminus of a storm drain or other stormwater structure
where the contents are released.
PEAK DISCHARGE
The maximum instantaneous rate of flow during a storm, usually
in reference to a specific design storm event.
PERMEABLE SOILS
Soil materials with a sufficiently rapid infiltration rate
so as to greatly reduce or eliminate surface and stormwater runoff.
These soils are generally classified as NRCS hydrologic soil types
A and B.
PERMIT GRANTING AUTHORITY
The Town of Palmer Planning Board for all land or building
uses, and additions that result in greater than a 25% increase in
floor area, vehicle traffic, parking, number of tenants, and/or number
of employees or when a project requires site plan approval. The authorized
administrative agency can include the Department of Public Works,
Planning Board, or its employees or agents.
PERSON
Any individual, association, partnership, corporation, company,
business, organization, trust, estate, administrative agency, public
or quasi-public corporation or body, the commonwealth or a political
subdivision thereof.
RETENTION
The holding of runoff in a basin without release except by
means of evaporation, infiltration, or emergency bypass.
START OF CONSTRUCTION
The first land-disturbing activity associated with a development,
including land preparation such as: clearing and grubbing, grading
and filling; installation of streets and walkways; excavation for
basements; footings, piers or foundations; erection of temporary forms;
and installation of accessory buildings such as garages.
SWALE
A natural depression or wide, shallow ditch used to temporarily
store, route, or filter runoff.
The invalidity of any section or provision of this article shall
not invalidate any other section or provision thereof.
[Adopted 2-9-2009 by Ord.
No. 2009-02 (Ch. 144 of the 2007 Code)]
The following definitions describe the meanings of the terms
used in this article:
ADVERSE IMPACT
Any effect on waters or wetlands, including their quality,
quantity, surface area, species composition, aesthetics or usefulness
for human or natural uses, which is or may potentially be harmful
or injurious to human health, welfare, safety or property, to biological
productivity, diversity, or stability or which unreasonably interferes
with the enjoyment of life or property, including outdoor recreation.
BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES (BMPs)
Structural or biological devices that retain, temporarily
store, and/or treat stormwater runoff to reduce the quantity and/or
improve the quality of stormwater runoff. BMPs, as recognized by both
the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the Massachusetts
Department of Environmental Management, can also be nonstructural
practices, such as a maintenance procedure, that reduce pollutants
at their source. BMPs are further described in a stormwater design
manual, Stormwater Management Handbook, Volume 2: Stormwater Technical
Handbook (March 1997, Mass. Department of Environmental Protection,
as may from time to time be updated or amended) or by any similar
descriptions for such practices as may be adopted by the Massachusetts
Department of Environmental Protection to replace or supplement this
guide.
CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY
Disturbance of the ground by removal or moving of vegetative
surface cover or topsoil, grading, excavation, clearing or filling.
DESIGN STORM
A rainfall event of specified size and return frequency that
is used to calculate the runoff volume and peak discharge rate to
a BMP.
DETENTION
The temporary storage of storm runoff in a BMP, which is
used to control the peak discharge rates, and which provides gravity
settling of pollutants.
DISTURBANCE
Any land clearing, grading, bulldozing, digging or similar
activities.
DRAINAGE AREA
That area contributing runoff to a single point measured
in a horizontal plane, which is enclosed by a ridgeline.
DRY WELL
Similar to an infiltration trench but smaller, with inflow
from a pipe; commonly covered with soil and used for drainage areas
of less than one acre, such as roadside inlets and rooftop runoff.
EASEMENT
A grant or reservation by the owner of land for the use of
such land by others for a specific purpose or purposes, and which
must be included in the conveyance of land affected by such easement.
FLOW ATTENUATION
Prolonging the flow time of runoff to reduce the peak discharge.
HYDROLOGY MODEL
May include one of the following:
A.
TR-20, a watershed hydrology model developed by the Natural
Resources Conservation Service Act that is used to route a design
storm hydrograph through a pond;
B.
TR 55, or Technical Release 55, Urban Hydrology for Small Watersheds,
a publication developed by the Natural Resources Conservation Service
to calculate stormwater runoff and an aid in designing detention basins;
IMPERVIOUS SURFACES
Developed areas, such as pavement or rooftops, that prevent
the infiltration of water into the soil.
INFILTRATION
The downward movement of water from the surface to the subsoil.
INFILTRATION TRENCH
A stormwater management excavation filled with aggregate
that removes both soluble and particulate pollutants. Trenches are
not intended to trap coarse sediments.
OUTFALL
The terminus of a storm drain or other stormwater structure
where the contents are released.
PEAK DISCHARGE
The maximum instantaneous rate of flow during a storm, usually
in reference to a specific design storm event.
PERMEABLE SOILS
Soil materials with a sufficiently rapid infiltration rate
so as to greatly reduce or eliminate surface and stormwater runoff.
These soils are generally classified as NRCS hydrologic soil types
A and B.
PERMIT GRANTING AUTHORITY
The Department of Public Works for all development projects
involving single- or two-family dwellings, any additions that result
in a less-than-or-equal-to 25% increase in floor area, vehicle traffic,
parking, number of tenants, and/or number of employees. The Department
of Public Works shall also administer this article for any land disturbance
of one acre or more that does not fall under the Planning Board's
purview. "Permit granting authority" can include the Department of
Public Works or its employees or agents.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General
Provisions, Art. I)]
PERSON
Any individual, association, partnership, corporation, company,
business, organization, trust, estate, administrative agency, public
or quasi-public corporation or body, the commonwealth or a political
subdivision thereof.
RETENTION
The holding of runoff in a basin without release except by
means of evaporation, infiltration, or emergency bypass.
START OF CONSTRUCTION
The first land-disturbing activity associated with a development,
including land preparation such as: clearing and grubbing, grading
and filling; installation of streets and walkways; excavation for
basements; footings, piers or foundations; erection of temporary forms;
and installation of accessory buildings such as garages.
SWALE
A natural depression or wide, shallow ditch used to temporarily
store, route, or filter runoff.
The invalidity of any section or provision of this article shall
not invalidate any other section or provision thereof.