Fitchburg Public Information Meeting on Bellmar and Tower Hill Water Main and Stormwater Improvements — May 14, 2026

On May 14, 2026, at 6 p.m., City of Fitchburg staff held a public information meeting to discuss upcoming stormwater improvements and water main replacements in the Bellmar and Tower Hill neighborhoods. Staff from Public Works presented the project scope, construction schedule, resident impacts, and notification procedures, then answered resident questions and invited attendees to review printed plan sets. No formal votes were taken.

Project Overview and Scope

• Stormwater improvements will be made at the Red Arrow Trail and Crescent Road intersection, removing existing inlets and storm sewer and installing larger inlets and storm sewer to increase capacity and reduce recurring flooding on Crescent Road, including flooding that has reached private property.
• Water main and water service replacements are planned in the Bellmar neighborhood on Crescent Road from Equity Lane to Red Arrow Trail and Sentinel Pass from Red Arrow Trail to Apache Drive.
• Similar replacements are planned in the Tower Hill neighborhood on Barber Drive (listed as from Richardson Street to Lyman Lane, though staff clarified the work will start about 200–300 feet east of Richardson Street), Lyman Lane from Barber Drive to Cheryl Drive, Floran Drive from Barber Drive to Cheryl Drive, and Tower Hill Drive from Lacey Road to Barber Drive.
• Staff explained that the existing water mains are nearing the end of their useful life and need replacement roughly every 50 to 100 years.

Construction Schedule

• Work is anticipated to begin May 26, 2026, the day after Memorial Day, in the Bellmar neighborhood, with water main work completed by early July, weather permitting. Water main work will be done first, followed by storm sewer work in that neighborhood.
• Tower Hill work is expected to begin in late June or early July 2026. The contractor’s initial plan is to start on Barber Drive, likely at the west end, then proceed to Lyman, Floran, and Tower Hill, subject to change. The water main contract completion date for this area is September 1, 2026.
• All utility work and street resurfacing are required to be completed by October 31, 2026. Paving will be performed under a separate city annual street resurfacing contract after utility work is finished.
• General work hours will be 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. The contractor may work until 7 p.m. under the city noise ordinance and may work on Saturdays if the project falls behind. No work will occur on June 19, July 3 (the observed July 4 holiday), or September 7 (Labor Day).

Resident Impacts and Notifications

• Roads will be closed to through traffic, but local resident access and driveway access generally will be maintained. When driveway work is required, the contractor will provide 48-hour notice, and driveway aprons will be replaced to match existing material and geometry.
• Affected properties can expect approximately three water shutoffs: two for connecting the new main to the old main and one for installing the new service. Shutoffs will be announced with orange door hangers and at least 48-hour notice, and each shutoff is anticipated to last from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Trash and recycling collection should continue as normal; the contractor is experienced in moving carts if needed. Mail delivery should also continue, with temporary mailboxes installed if necessary. Staff said they would follow up on resident concerns about mail delivery during last year’s Richardson Street project.
• The terrace area between the sidewalk and curb will be disturbed for water service work. Residents with landscaping within roughly 15 feet of their curb stop were advised to move it, and blue paint on the curb marks the water service location.
• Construction may be noisy, dusty, and create vibration; staff said the contractor can spray water to control dust.

Public Questions & Testimony

• One resident asked whether service lines to houses would be inspected for roots or other issues; staff said they would inspect what is exposed in the trench and notify homeowners if anything alarming is found.
• A resident asked whether storm sewer was considered for Barber Drive; staff replied that it was not part of this project.
• A resident questioned the extent of curb and gutter replacement markings on Barber Drive, noting some marks appeared to be for hairline cracks. Staff explained that Public Works staff mark curb sections in need of repair, including for reasons such as settling, cracking, or ponding water.
• A resident whose curb stop could not be closed during a past water meter replacement asked whether that would prevent the new work. Staff said all curb stops in the project area will be replaced, so the old curb stop will be removed rather than closed.
• A resident asked whether homeowners would face a special assessment. Staff said there will be no special assessment; water main replacements are funded through water rates, and storm sewer work is funded through stormwater utility fees and grant funding.

Key Outcomes

• No formal votes or council decisions occurred; the meeting was informational.
• Staff confirmed there will be no special assessment for homeowners.
• Project materials, updates, and the presentation will be available on the city’s project webpage, with a QR code and link provided at the meeting.
• Staff offered to answer individual questions and provided contact information, including Ben Schulte, Chelsea Wilson, Tracy Foss, and Zach Laundry for the paving portion.