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Millis adopts Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan and Hazard Mitigation Plan to maintain FEMA/MEMA grant eligibility
Summary
The Select Board voted unanimously to adopt the town’s updated Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (CEMP) and a five-year Local Hazard Mitigation Plan reviewed by MEMA and FEMA. Officials said formal adoption preserves eligibility for federal mitigation grants and guides preparedness and mitigation actions.
Millis Select Board members voted unanimously on Oct. 20 to adopt an updated Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (CEMP) and a Local Hazard Mitigation Plan that had been developed with the Local Emergency Planning Committee, regional planners and state reviewers. Town officials said the CEMP updates responsibilities and contact backups for incident response, and the hazard mitigation plan establishes pre-disaster projects and priorities covering flooding, winter storms, wildfire risk and other natural hazards.
Chief representatives of the Local Emergency Planning Committee and Martin from the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) briefed the board. Martin said the hazard mitigation plan replaces the town’s 2018 plan and has been reviewed by MEMA and FEMA; formal local adoption is required so FEMA will issue an official approval letter and keep the town eligible for FEMA mitigation grants for five years.
Chiefs and committee members described recommended measures including culvert and drainage projects, roadside mitigation, building hardening, and planning actions to reduce long-term vulnerability. The board was told adoption will support the town’s ability to apply for FEMA funding for mitigation projects in coming grant cycles.
The board voted to adopt the CEMP and the Hazard Mitigation Plan at the meeting (motions carried unanimously). Officials said the next step will be tabletop testing with MEMA to evaluate the CEMP and to update the plans annually or as needed.
