FY2027 DCR Watershed System Salt Reduction Grant

The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Water Supply Protection, is soliciting grant applications for the FY2027 Watershed System Salt Reduction Grant program, with proposals due October 2, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. through COMMBUYS. Eligibility is restricted to 18 specified municipalities containing more than ten miles of town roads within the Wachusett Reservoir, Quabbin Reservoir, or Ware River watershed boundaries: Barre, Boylston, Holden, Hubbardston, New Salem, Oakham, Orange, Paxton, Petersham, Phillipston, Princeton, Rutland, Shutesbury, Sterling, Templeton, Wendell, West Boylston, and Westminster.

Up to $100,000 in total funding is available for distribution. Individual applicants may request up to $20,000 per community; multiple municipalities may submit joint applications. All grants require a minimum 50% cash match from the applicant, documented through invoices or acceptable records after contract execution. Eligible projects include pavement temperature sensors, calibrated salt application equipment, brine production materials, vehicle retrofit materials, flexible plow blades, and salt pile containment infrastructure. Equipment purchases must have a useful life of at least five years and per-unit costs of $1,000 or greater, with title remaining with the grantee for the five-year reporting period.

Applicants must provide baseline salt application data for the 2025–2026 season and the three previous winters, and commit to reporting salt application amounts for the 2026–2027 season and three following winters to measure project impact. Grantees must pay all project costs upfront and submit invoices for reimbursement of approved expenses only. All contracts must be completed and 100% of costs expended by June 30, 2027. Award announcements are expected approximately 14 days after the application deadline, with an estimated contract start date of October 16, 2026. No information session, site visit, or bidder conference is scheduled. Funding is authorized through the Water Supply Protection Trust.