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Planning board discusses $500,000 no‑interest septic loans and hazard‑mitigation acquisition options
Summary
Staff briefed the board on a Division of Water Infrastructure $500,000 grant to fund a no‑interest loan program targeting high‑risk septic systems, and Deputy Director Joe Costello described state-managed hazard mitigation acquisition options for repetitive‑loss flood properties.
The Planning Board reviewed details of a Division of Water Infrastructure grant the town received to seed a no‑interest loan program for septic upgrades and discussed how the town might use hazard‑mitigation grant funds to elevate or acquire repeatedly damaged properties.
Staff explained the $500,000 program will be distributed through a no‑interest loan program and that the advisory committee is prioritizing high‑risk properties: those adjacent to water bodies or properties that have not had recent septic maintenance. Staff credited Joe for a GIS analysis used to identify at‑risk parcels.
Deputy Director Joe Costello explained how hazard mitigation acquisitions would work under the state program: "The state would be sort of managing the grant, doing the procurement, managing the actual demolition and removal of the home. We just kind of hold the deed as it in um into perpetuity and put a deed restriction on that parcel and keep it as open space." He said acquisitions would focus on voluntary sellers or parcels meeting repetitive‑loss or substantial‑damage thresholds.
Board members asked whether insurance would cover acquisition or demolition; staff noted insurers may pay for repair or replacement when policy thresholds are met, but insurance carriers would not typically acquire and demolish a property and keep it as open space — that is the role the hazard mitigation program can play, with the town acting as the local steward of the deed restriction.
The board discussed process details and upcoming advisory‑committee review of the GIS analysis; staff said the advisory committee would meet to finalize the prioritization list and that public outreach and committee reporting would follow. The Planning Board also nominated and approved Basil to serve on the Septic Health Advisory Committee.
The program timeline, household eligibility criteria, and award amounts were discussed in general terms; specific loan award amounts and individual homeowner eligibility were not specified in the meeting transcript.
