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Rutland City begins public review of 2025 local hazard mitigation plan
Summary
Rutland Regional Planning Commission presented a draft local hazard mitigation plan and the Board of Aldermen voted to refer the draft to the Public Safety Committee for review and a public information session on April 21.
Maggie O’Brien, emergency management planner for the Rutland Regional Planning Commission, told the Board of Aldermen on March 17 that the city’s 2025 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan is ready for a second public comment period and local committee review.
O’Brien said the final portion of the draft — the mitigation strategy — lists prioritized actions, lead parties and potential funding sources. “Right now, the city has a 7.5% ERAF rate. And with the adoption and approval of a local hazard mitigation plan, that rate will jump up to 12.5,” O’Brien said, describing a potential reduction in the municipal match for state-administered emergency relief assistance funding following adoption and state review.
The plan, which includes the hazard identification and risk assessment O’Brien presented in October and November, groups proposed actions into plans and regulations, infrastructure, natural systems and outreach. O’Brien emphasized the document is guidance, not a binding commitment: the team labeled many actions as work the city already conducts or has identified in its capital improvement plan.
The board voted to refer the draft plan to the Public Safety Committee for scheduled review and requested the committee present a recommendation at the April 21 meeting and to hold an in-person public information session that night. O’Brien opened a public comment period that runs March 17–April 21 and provided a physical copy at city hall and an online link for review. She said once Vermont Emergency Management (VEM) reviews the draft it normally returns comments within 30–45 days, though VEM’s current backlog could delay that timeline.
If public comments are editorial only, the board may vote on April 21 to authorize submission to VEM; if the comments are substantive, the planning team will reconvene to address them and present changes back to the board. O’Brien asked the board to complete Appendix A to document municipal adoption before final submission to FEMA if VEM signs off on the draft. She provided an email (maggie@rutlandrpc.org) for public comments and directed residents to tinyURL.com/rutlandlhmp205 for the draft.
The referral motion passed on a voice vote.
