Southampton adopts 2025 Hazard Mitigation Plan, clears path to state and federal grants

The Southampton Select Board voted on May 12 to adopt the town's 2025 Hazard Mitigation Plan update, a procedural step officials said will let the town apply for state and federal hazard-mitigation grants.

The resolution adopted by the board affirms that the town established a hazards-mitigation planning committee, held public hearings on the draft plan, and updated potential future projects intended to reduce the town's vulnerability to natural hazards. The board recorded that the plan has been reviewed by the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and directed staff to post the final document on the town website.

Board members said the adoption follows a public process that included consultant presentations and two public meetings by the hazards mitigation planning committee. The resolution cites the town's adoption authority under the applicable municipal procedures and confirms that responsible departments and agencies are authorized to carry out projects identified in the plan.

Adoption does not, by itself, authorize specific projects or expenditures; rather, it preserves the town's eligibility for grant funding from state and federal hazard-mitigation programs, board members said. Officials also noted that some projects identified in the plan would require separate design, permitting and funding steps.

The board stated the adopted plan will be posted on the town website for public review. No formal vote tallies with individual member votes were recorded in the meeting transcript; the board announced the motion as adopted and the plan will be posted following the meeting.