The Memphremagog Watershed Association is pleased to announce the upcoming ground breaking of the Glover Town Office Rain Garden project. This project aims to treat stormwater runoff by installing multiple best management practices throughout the property. The suite of improvements will include rain gardens, infiltration steps, grassed swales, stone lined ditches, drainage culverts, and native riparian buffer plantings. Collectively, the improvements will treat stormwater runoff from rooftops, parking lots, lawns, and sections of Bean Hill Rd. Each practice is specially designed to capture, convey, and infiltrate runoff while reducing erosion and sediment and nutrient loading to the Barton River and Lake Memphremagog. In addition to the water quality benefits, this project will: beautify the property, add educational signage, provide enhanced access, boost pollinator habitat, and greatly improve site drainage. 

The Glover Town Office was identified as a potential site for green stormwater infrastructure in the 2016 Memphremagog Stormwater Master Plan. Part of the reason this property was selected is its proximity to the Barton River and the high percentage of paved and impermeable surface cover. 

In 2022, MWA obtained a grant to design stormwater practices and work with community stakeholders to develop a comprehensive plan for the site. This included working with the Selectboard, Planning Commission, Library & Clerk’s Office staff, consultants, State agencies, and others to navigate the many uses and sensitive natural resources on the public lot. 

In Spring 2025, MWA obtained $41,000 of grant funding from Watersheds United Vermont to implement the practices through the Department of Environmental Conservation’s Water Quality Enhancement Grant program. The project was designed by Greenleaf Designs, LLC of Huntington and will be constructed by NorthWoods Stewardship Center of East Charleston and Auger Heights Excavating of West Glover. MWA would like to thank the Glover Selectboard and the Town Clerk’s Office for their enthusiastic support!

Please contact Patrick Hurley, MWA Project Manager (phurley@mwavt.org), with any questions or inquiries.