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Planning director outlines grants for dam removals, zoning cleanup and hazard mitigation
Summary
Planning Director Josh Farity told the Finance Committee the department is pursuing multiple grants — including funding to update zoning bylaws, a $50,000 hazard mitigation plan application, an MVP 2.0 award and design grants to remove two local dams — and proposed modest fee increases to align with peer towns.
Josh Farity, director of planning, told the Finance Committee his office is pursuing several state and federal grants to pay for zoning bylaw updates, hazard-mitigation planning and two dam-removal projects.
Farity said the town was awarded an MVP 2.0 grant for resilience planning and has applied for a 100% design grant for the Parker Mills Dam removal (approximately $642,000 award) and a smaller feasibility/design award for another dam. He said dam removal would restore riverine habitat and fish migration and could create recreational and economic opportunities if managed alongside downstream channel work.
The director also discussed permitting fees and described Wareham’s use of state statute 53G to rely on applicant-funded consultants, which keeps town fees comparatively low while still funding engineering reviews.
Committee members asked about ownership complications around parcels adjacent to the dams and potential downstream and MassDOT studies; Farity said the grant funding and federal/state processes require studies but said the town has identified paths to move projects forward without relying on private owners to sell land in advance.
The committee will review the planning department’s budget and potential fee schedule adjustments.
