From Ingrid Schroffner Newton Centre - Chapin Rd dilemma
1 view
Skip to first unread message
Janet Sterman
Aug 12, 2025, 8:17:05 AM8/12/25
to
Hi Folks - Calling all fellow Newton Residents:
I am asking for your support in signing the attached Petition intended to improve municipal review of certain projects that could impact every neighborhood in Newton. So far, over 40 folks in my neighborhood (including me) have signed a similar petition. The background is below, and the Petition is attached. If you support and would be willing to sign, please respond to this and/or message or reach out to me at Ischr...@verizon.net or 617.710.7118. Your support would be greatly appreciated. This matter will be before the Newton City Council on 9/15/25.
A real estate investor is asking the Newton City Council to approve a drain extension project that would allow stormwater runoff to flow from her subdivision into the municipal drainage system. The broader development plan would require re-grading the site so as to cause stormwater runoff to flow onto an adjacent public road and into neighboring yards as well.
In short, the plan would divert runoff from a private development into the municipal roadway and drainage system and onto private property.
The public road has a long history of surface flooding. The neighborhood has a long history of basement flooding. Funneling more water into the problem areas is a bad idea. The City Council should not allow it to happen.
The subdivision is located at 132 Homer Street (60 Chapin Rd, 61 Chapin Rd.) It consists of two undeveloped lots that are accessible only by creating an access road at the end of a cul-de-sac on Chapin Road. The lots are currentl
y undevelopable. They sit less than two feet above the water table. They cannot infiltrate enough water to allow development in compliance with local laws. One of the lots is even known as a seasonal pond.
In essence, this project seeks an exception to local laws that prohibit developers from increasing the flow of stormwater runoff to neighboring properties and into the municipal drainage system. Water that flowed beyond the lot perimeter prior to development can continue to do so. But development may not increase it.
If the City Council approves the new drainage system, it would set a horrible precedent. It would mean the same thing could happen anywhere in Newton.
This subdivision has been under review since September 2023. Flooding concerns were raised early by residents and by members of the City Council. However, city engineers supported the waivers, even allowing reduced sidewalk construction to limit runoff. Despite warnings that extreme rainfall could overwhelm any design, the subdivision was approved with the drain extension requirement. The property has since changed hands, with the current owner—who claims no intent to build—seeking approval for the drain extension solely to sell the lots.
In 2025, the petitioner brought drain extension requests to the Public Facilities Committee three times, and both times independent engineering reviews identified serious errors, missing data, and flawed assumptions. Building here would require raising the grade by at least five feet in places, still failing to ensure proper water infiltration and increasing flood risks for surrounding homes. Despite these warnings, the most recent request advanced by a single vote and now sits before the full City Council. The plans remain incomplete and inaccurate, and approval appears driven by the desire to unload a bad investment. More than 20 of our neighbors have spoken at public hearings, retained legal and engineering experts at personal cost, and repeatedly put the City of Newton on notice of the risks—urging the Council not to repeat the earlier mistake of deferring critical review to a later stage.
______________________________________________________
Kindly support Ingrid and her neighbors on Chapin Road in Newton Centre by signing this petition.
Please feel free to contact me if you would like to sign this petition.
Janet
Janet Sterman
Aug 12, 2025, 3:39:52 PM8/12/25
to
This project, located at 132 Homer Street (61 and 62 Chapin Rd), seeks an exception to local laws that prohibit developers from increasing the flow of stormwater runoff to neighboring properties and into the municipal drainage system. Water that flowed beyond the lot perimeter prior to development can continue to do so. But development may not increase it.
If the City Council approves the new drainage system, it would set a horrible precedent. It would mean the same thing could happen anywhere in Newton.
Reply all
Reply to author
Forward
0 new messages