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Danvers Select Board adopts updated hazard mitigation plan to preserve FEMA funding eligibility
Summary
The Select Board voted to adopt the Town of Danvers Hazard Mitigation Plan update (May 2025), a FEMA-reviewed document identifying flood, storm, extreme heat and dam-safety risks and prioritized actions to reduce long-term community risk.
The Town of Danvers Select Board voted Jan. 7 to adopt the town's updated Hazard Mitigation Plan, a FEMA-reviewed document the town must have on file to remain eligible for federal hazard mitigation grants.
Fire Chief and emergency management director Brian Barry told the board the May 2025 plan was developed over nearly a year with federal hazard-mitigation grant funding and technical assistance from Kaplan Consulting and a committee that included public safety, public works, utilities, planning, schools and town administration. "I respectfully ask the select board's adoption of the hazard mitigation plan update," Barry said.
The plan identifies the natural hazards that pose the greatest risks to Danvers' residents and infrastructure, including flooding, severe storms, extreme heat and dam safety, and it lists practical, prioritized actions the town can take to reduce long-term risk. Barry said adoption by the board is the final local step after FEMA review and that without local adoption Danvers would be ineligible to apply for FEMA mitigation grants.
Board members praised the report as "very comprehensive" and noted it is lengthy (more than 400 pages). Select members asked clarifying questions about scope: Barry said the hazard mitigation plan focuses on hazard identification and prioritized mitigation projects, while sheltering and operational response are addressed in a separate comprehensive emergency management plan.
After the clerk read a resolution adopting the plan and citing federal authorities including the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, the board moved, seconded and approved the resolution by voice vote. After the vote Chief Barry thanked the board and said the town will revisit the plan in the next update cycle.
The board emphasized that adoption is intended to keep Danvers eligible for federal mitigation funds and to guide priority repairs such as culvert work in flood-prone areas.
Next steps include follow-up implementation planning and potential grant applications for priority mitigation projects.
