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Barre City: 28 city‑approved flood buyout applications; 17 cleared by FEMA
Summary
City manager presented a buyout status update: 67 applications were received, 28 were approved by the city to pursue, FEMA has approved 17 of those and the city expects some closings this spring. The program is intended to remove high‑risk properties from floodplains and support larger river projects.
Barre City officials on Jan. 28 updated the City Council on the multi‑year effort to buy flood‑impacted properties, saying the program is advancing but still dependent on federal review.
City Manager Nicholas said the city received 67 buyout applications and “28 have been approved by the city to move forward.” He added that 17 of those 28 have been approved by FEMA and are in appraisal and verification stages. The city estimates the 28 city‑approved buys would represent about $124,500 in lost property tax revenue if every transaction closes.
Why it matters: removing high‑risk homes from floodplains is a central part of the city’s flood resiliency plan and supports river‑stabilization work. Managers and planners said buyouts are prioritized where they provide the greatest mitigation value and where parcels can be used to store floodwater, protect bridges and improve river corridors.
What officials told the council - The city is working with Vermont Emergency Management (VEM) under a memorandum of understanding; VEM is processing applications on the city’s behalf. - FEMA’s review includes appraisals and checks for duplication of benefits; FEMA removes from any buyout payment sums already paid for prior repairs. - For several clusters and individual parcels the city identified as high‑value mitigation, FEMA approval is in hand or expected soon. Manager Nicholas said he expects some closings this spring and that owners generally receive roughly a three‑month notice before a closing. - Landslide‑related buyouts were among the first applications processed and have FEMA approvals, the manager said.
Geographic highlights from the manager’s slides included: - North‑end parcels adjacent to the river and to Woody/Willie Street Bridge work were prioritized; one parcel on the slide carries an estimated $9,000 annual tax impact if bought out. - Harrington Avenue and Gunner’s Brook areas contain several properties already through FEMA review; the city is evaluating expanded “trash rack” work that would trap debris while keeping flow in the channel. - Granite Street and Stevens Branch areas include parcels the city has approved for FEMA review; some intakes are still labeled 2024 and are being processed.
Funding and next steps Officials noted the program’s dependence on external funding pathways. FEMA funds the buyouts but federal appropriations and program timing create uncertainty. The council discussed additional funding sources, including recently announced federal allocations for flood‑impacted communities, and a $68 million appropriation referenced by the manager (noted as obligated funding in a separate discussion). The manager asked the council to keep communicating with state and federal partners as guidelines and application windows are defined.
The city reiterated that buyouts are intentionally selective: properties were advanced when the parcel provided significant mitigation value, when clustered buys enabled larger river work, or when a parcel could store floodwater. Other applicants were not pursued when the parcel’s buyout would not materially improve flood resilience or when redevelopment or elevation remained a viable alternative.
The manager closed by saying the process is lengthy: “This is a years‑long process,” and that while no transactions have closed yet, the approval progress at FEMA marked a tangible step toward the program’s goals.
Ending: Council members asked staff to continue outreach to affected property owners and to return with timing and implementation updates; staff said they will provide notice to owners as closings approach.
