Planning board to meet Select Board Jan. 6 to review FEMA/code changes affecting local ordinances
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Summary
Board members discussed recent FEMA guidance changes affecting the 50%/substantial‑improvement rule and agreed to schedule a joint workshop with the Select Board on Jan. 6 to consider ordinance and code adoption issues.
Board member Steve alerted colleagues to recent FEMA rule changes and said some updates—particularly guidance on individual assistance and the 50% rule—could change how local ordinances are written and applied. He said the FEMA materials appeared intended for major catastrophe scenarios and flagged possible confusion about when FEMA guidance applies to local projects.
Board members and staff discussed whether to adopt individual FEMA amendments now or to rely on the state adoption date; one member suggested picking a code adoption date as the baseline so future FEMA updates would only apply if the state adopts them. The board directed staff to arrange a joint workshop with the Select Board on Jan. 6 to begin revising ordinance and code choices in light of FEMA changes; the motion to schedule the workshop passed unanimously.
Shannon will pass FEMA materials to staff and the town manager and follow up with the Select Board to set a time for the Jan. 6 workshop.