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Council authorizes submission of FEMA hazard mitigation grant applications for flood-related projects
Summary
Montpelier authorized the city manager to submit multiple FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP DR-4720) applications for flood-related projects including work at the wastewater treatment facility, a new Dickey Dam, culvert replacements, a floodplain restoration site, and dam removals.
The Montpelier City Council voted to authorize the city manager to submit multiple hazard mitigation grant applications to Vermont Emergency Management under FEMA’s HMGP (DR-4720) program related to the July 2023 floods.
Josh Jerome (community and economic development specialist) told the council five categories of applications were ready for submission and that the April 30 submission deadline made prompt action urgent. The projects include: work at the wastewater treatment facility (including road elevation and berms to reduce inundation), a full replacement of the Dickey Dam to maintain the city’s water-supply elevation, culvert replacements on North Street and Finch Road, a floodplain restoration project at 5 Home Farm Way (a partnership with the Preservation Trust of Vermont and regional partners), and feasibility/design work tied to removing the Bailey/Main Street dam and Pioneer Street dam.
Why it matters: Grant-funded mitigation would reduce flood risk to city-owned infrastructure, lower long-term operation and maintenance costs (the Dickey Dam replacement was framed as a longer-term solution with lower upkeep than repeated repairs), and fund improvements to stream channels and culverts that have repeatedly washed out.
Details and context: Jerome said the city previously received advanced assistance funding to scope projects and that the state would cover the local match for these HMGP applications. Consultants including SLR Consulting and others performed hydraulics and feasibility work; staff said some consultants were not available at the meeting but noted the technical work had been completed. A member of the public urged a special meeting so councilors could review full application packages before they were submitted; staff replied that the council had previously approved the projects and that the applications reflected that earlier direction.
What the council did: By voice vote the council authorized the city manager to execute and submit the HMGP applications. Councilors asked for clarity on which dam names were being used (the Bailey/Main Street dam was discussed) and a resident speaker confirmed the memo described the Bailey/Main Street and Pioneer Street dam removals.
Ending: Staff will proceed to finalize and submit the applications to the state by the stated deadline; consultants and project leads will follow up with technical questions the council raised.
