Westborough Pre-Flood Mitigation
The Westborough Department of Public Works (DPW) developed Pre-Flood Mitigation procedures to minimize the impacts of flooding events in their community. The DPW divided the community into 10 sectors based on the sub-watersheds of Westborough. All stormwater related assets and vulnerable flooding locations were then mapped for each sector. Teams were assigned to each sector and deployed ahead of a known flood event and through other triggers as defined within our SOP’s. The teams will correct any imminent deficiencies during their deployment that include: removing any natural/unnatural obstruction within 100’ upstream/downstream of a culvert with the inclusion of inspecting inside the culvert asset, identifying and if time permits or is immediately warranted, correcting headwall deficiencies, clearing debris from all catchbasin outfalls/grates, reporting beaver activity, and ensuring that all Town-owned detention basins are functioning.
The DPW also created several Standard Operation Procedures (SOPs) including: Pre-Cleaning Catchbasin SOP, Critical Waterway Flow Restoration SOP, and the Public Infrastructure Resiliency Week SOP. Learn how Conservation Commissions and related staff can work closely with DPWs to minimize the impacts of flooding in your community. The development of a community-wide pre-flood mitigation program can seem overwhelming at first, but the methods employed in Westborough will be explained so that every community can tailor a similar resiliency procedure. Lastly, a clear delineation can be made between developing SOP’s and the relationship those procedures have in protecting the Interests of the Wetlands Protection Act.
Speakers
Kyle Grendell is a skilled municipal arborist with extensive experience in environmental operations, how they integrate with resiliency preparation, and storm response protocols. With a deep passion for urban forestry, Kyle has managed tree care, preservation, and planting programs, ensuring the health and safety of public green spaces. His background includes overseeing tree inventories, pest management, and maintenance projects while collaborating with planners and local communities to enhance the urban environment. Kyle’s expertise extends to managing budgets, coordinating staff, and implementing sustainable practices that contribute to the long-term ecological health of municipal landscapes. Dedicated to promoting environmental stewardship, he works to improve green infrastructure, reduce urban heat islands, and increase biodiversity in public spaces. With a practical understanding of regulatory compliance and risk management, Kyle is committed to creating and maintaining safe, thriving urban ecosystems, while balancing the safety of local residents & critical infrastructure.
Derek Saari is the Assistant Director of the Westborough Department of Public Works, where he has worked since October 2019. Prior to this position, Derek served as the Westborough Conservation Director and the Assistant Town Planner since 2001. In addition, Derek was the Conservation Director for the Town of North Attleborough. Derek earned a Master’s Degree in Regional Planning with a concentration in Environmental Law & Policy, Bachelor’s Degree in Urban Forestry, and an Associate’s Degree of Science in Arboriculture and Park Management, from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Derek also has an Associate’s Degree in Applied Science with a concentration in Building Construction Technology from New Hampshire Technical College at Manchester.
