The ordinance is similar to a model from the county with a few exceptions for Stockton’s proximity to the Delaware and Raritan Canal and the Delaware River.
By: Linda Seida
STOCKTON The Borough Council will hold a public hearing Oct. 30 to discuss a proposed stormwater management ordinance.
The ordinance was introduced Monday on the recommendation of the Planning Board.
Bill Lowry, a member of the board, said the proposed ordinance closely resembles a boilerplate ordinance from the county with a few notable exceptions that pertain to Stockton specifically, such as the borough’s proximity to the Delaware and Raritan Canal and the Delaware River.
The state requires each municipality to have a stormwater ordinance in place by the end of 2006. If there isn’t one in place, the borough could be subject to a fine, according to Mayor Gregg Rackin.
He said, "It’s something that we have to do. It’s something that we need to do. The state requires it."
If the ordinance is not in place by the end of the year, "we’re going to feel the wrath of the county and state governments on our backs," he added.
The state passed new stormwater regulations in 2004 to govern non-source point pollution, which includes runoff from houses, lawns, streets and construction that is not related to an industrial source.
Among the primary goals of the regulations is the protection of sources of drinking water, the reduction of soil erosion and the reduction of flood damage.
The ordinance would govern new construction. It concentrates on the disturbance of 7,500 square feet of ground or the introduction of one-eighth of an acre of impervious surface, according to Tom Manning, a member of the board.
The terms of the borough’s ordinance required some compromise.
As originally proposed by the board, a disturbance of 5,000 square feet of land, equal to the minimum lot size, would have triggered a review by officials.
After "considerable resistance" from the council, the board increased the amount of disturbance that would trigger a review to 7,500 square feet, Mr. Manning said.
The higher figure could equal "a couple of houses together" or "a big home on a big lot, like McMansions," Mr. Manning said.
If the borough adopts the ordinance, it will be forward to the county for review.

