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Hubbardston to seek FEMA funding, explore agreements with Team Rubicon and local transport providers
Summary
Committee members discussed drafting a FEMA letter of interest to update the town's hazard‑mitigation plan, pursuing formal LEPC bylaws to improve grant eligibility, and negotiating MOUs with Team Rubicon and local bus companies for disaster assistance.
S1 reported a recent notice and said she will meet with Ray Farren to draft a letter of interest for FEMA funding to bring the town's mitigation plan up to FEMA standards so the town would be eligible for assistance. "We're gonna come meet with me and see what we can do about putting together a letter of interest," S1 said.
S1 also described a notice tied to the Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act that recommends formalizing the local LEPC and developing bylaws; she said formalization would help in future FEMA grant efforts. The committee discussed leveraging regional partners and existing volunteer organizations to supplement town resources.
Team Rubicon — a volunteer disaster response organization — attended a regional meeting and indicated it would be willing to enter agreements to provide assistance. "They would be willing to, sign agreements," S1 said, noting Team Rubicon volunteers often work alongside CERT and MRC. The group also discussed preparing an MOU template for local bus companies (McCarthy, Ron Burton, Mark Bus) so vehicles could be used or hired in a disaster response.
There were open questions about liability and insurance coverage; S1 said the town should clarify whether outside volunteers would be treated as temporary or special employees and confirm coverage under the town's insurance policies. The committee agreed to review insurance language and draft proposed MOUs before the next meeting.
