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Council gives first reading to updated floodplain ordinance to maintain FEMA eligibility
Summary
The council held a first reading of General Ordinance No. 1, 2026, replacing Section 153 of the town code with a 35-page floodplain management template recommended after a DNR audit; members said adoption will maintain compliance and help residents' insurance eligibility.
The North Manchester Town Council gave a first reading on March 4 to General Ordinance No. 1, 2026, an update to the town’s floodplain-management code.
A council member explained that the Department of Natural Resources provided a roughly 35-page ordinance template after an audit of the town’s floodplain permitting and compliance practices. The template is intended to bring the town up to current state standards and address identified deficiencies. "Presently we have about a four page ordinance ... what they gave us was a template about 35 pages of every single word of that," the council member said.
Council members said adopting the updated ordinance is important for maintaining community eligibility for federal disaster aid and for keeping flood-insurance costs down for residents. One council member noted the DNR and FEMA mapping changes nationally have expanded flood-prone designations and said compliance affects insurance requirements and mortgage conditions.
Staff read the ordinance title and the text replacing section 153 of the town code. The council moved and seconded consideration and approved first reading by voice vote; the ordinance will return for subsequent readings and formal adoption procedures.
The discussion focused on meeting the technical requirements of the DNR audit and ensuring the town’s ordinance is consistent with federal and state expectations; no final adoption occurred on March 4.
