Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree Announces Rain Barrel Giveaway as Part of Continued Town-Wide Effort to Promote Water Conservation, Sustainability
(Saugus, MA) March 8, 2019 – Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree and the Planning and Development Department are excited to announce that the Town of Saugus, in conjunction with the Great American Rain Barrel Company, will offer free rain barrels to 25 Saugus households in order to promote water conservation and sustainability within the community.
This giveaway is part of the Town’s “Saugus Saves the Rain” initiative, which launched two years ago as an effort to reduce water consumption and reduce the amount of storm water entering the Town’s sewer system.
Rain barrels are an excellent way to accomplish these goals, as well as to help lower water bills and curb water usage during droughts. Each rain barrel captures up to 60 gallons of rain, filling quickly with just an eighth-inch of rain. Rain barrels can individually capture thousands of gallons of water each year that residents can use for lawns and gardens instead of having it flow into the Town’s sewer system.
The Town began providing residents with an opportunity to benefit from free or discounted rain barrels in the spring of 2017. This event drew such a great deal of interest that the Town has extended the initiative to continue to offer free and discounted rain barrels for residents.
“We are thrilled to once again offer residents an easy way to collect and save water, and to help manage their water costs,” said Town Manager Scott Crabtree. “If every home in Saugus has just one rain barrel, our community could potentially eliminate 660,000 gallons of runoff for every eighth-inch of rain.”
The installation of rain barrels requires minimum work and little maintenance. Each barrel is 39 inches tall and 24 inches in diameter, and weighs 20 pounds when empty. Barrels come with an overflow elbow and spigot, and residents simply connect a hose in the spigot of the rain barrel for use watering lawns and gardens.
“Rain barrels collect a significant source of water that residents can use for free, and the widespread use of the barrels could help reduce the Town’s long-term sewer management costs,” continued Town Manager Crabtree. “Rain barrels can help reduce pollution from entering the Saugus River and can help address systemic stormwater infrastructure challenges, in turn resulting in the reduction of taxpayers’ expenses.”
Rain barrels can also be an excellent resource to use for conserving water during periods of drought.
The rain barrels, which have a retail value of $119, will be awarded to 25 residents for free through a Town giveaway. Interested residents can fill out a giveaway form in the Planning and Development Department, located in the lower level of Saugus Town Hall, 298 Central Street. Residents may also fill out a giveaway form in the Town Manager’s office, located in the main level of Saugus Town Hall, 298 Central Street. Residents have until Monday, April 1, 2019 to enter. Winners will be selected on Friday, April 5, 2019. This giveaway is only available to Saugus residents, so proof of address at the time of entry is required.
Residents who enter the giveaway will be selected at random. Residents who are not selected to win a free rain barrel will have the opportunity to purchase a discounted rain barrel. Residents who have previously won a free rain barrel through the Town of Saugus will not be eligible for the giveaway; however they may purchase a discounted rain barrel.
Interested residents should click here, and select “Massachusetts” as the state and “Saugus” as the community. Barrels must be ordered before Saturday, April 20, 2019 for the discount to apply.
Barrels will be available for pick up on Saturday, April 27, 2019, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Saugus Town Hall Parking Lot, located at 298 Central St. and Taylor Street.
For more information, contact the Planning and Development Department at 781-231-4044, or the Town Manager's office at 781-231-4111.
For more information on the Great American Rain Barrel Company, visit www.GreatAmericanRainBarrel.com.
About The Town of Saugus
The Town of Saugus, Massachusetts, is a family-friendly, historic neighborhood Town located along the north shore, ten miles north of Boston. First settled in 1629, Saugus is home to historic sites, top-tier public services, and a thriving business community. Strong community support, a forward-thinking approach to town government, rich recreational opportunities, affordable choices, and easy access to all the amenities that Boston has to offer – they all contribute to make Saugus a Town where businesses flourish and families make their home.
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