The December 16 meeting of the Mattapoisett Planning Board included an in-depth report from Gabrielle Belfit of Tighe and Bond, an engineering and environmental consulting firm who has assisted the town with a number of technically challenging projects over the years. On this night, the topic was the recently completed Hazard Mitigation Plan update. She urged the public to review the draft now available on the town’s website to voice their comments, concerns, or ideas during the 30-day public comment period which has now begun.
Belfit explained that after receiving public comments, which must be received by January 9, 2025, the draft will head for state review and then ultimately federal review before final acceptance is achieved.
Updating the existing mitigation plan required inter-departmental participation that included the Highway Department, Water and Sewer Department, Police and Fire Departments, and members of the municipal staff including the Board of Health, Council on Aging, Building Inspector’s office, Assessor’s office, and the Conservation Commission.
Belfit said that types of hazards were identified such as wind and rising sea levels along with the assets that would be impacted during severe weather. Included in the review of possible hazard damages were the associated monetary losses, private properties as well as losses in the business sectors, losses would be in the billions of dollars she suggested.
The updated draft now includes elements not previously required including expanded community outreach to target venerable populations, climate change, and what are termed as FEMA Community Lifelines (environmental, societal, economic, and infrastructure).
Addressing what might have been an unspoken question in the minds of some “…why do this planning…” the Tighe and Bond team noted the town needed to build on its existing emergency management capabilities, needed to plan for more frequent and intense weather events, engage multiple stakeholders in the planning process, and not to be forgotten, gain access to funding.
Water and Sewer Superintendent Henri Renault reminded the community that because the town had a hazard mitigation plan it received an MVP award, one of the first towns to receive such recognition. He said what followed were grant opportunities, opportunities that resulted in the town receiving $750,000 for water main replacements, new wells, and grants that helped both the fire department and police departments with grants funding. Renault said, “it’s important to move forward with this plan.”
The full draft is now available for public review on the town’s website.
In other business Ray Hanks chairman of the cemetery and monuments committee gave the board an overview of upcoming tree removal at Hammond Cemetery and stone wall repairs.
The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Planning Board is scheduled for January 6, 2025.
Mattapoisett Planning Board
By Marilou Newell