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Richmond discusses 3-acre stormwater permit boundaries and advances three FEMA buyout applications
Summary
Selectboard sought clarification from the state on which South View parcels fall under a 3-acre stormwater permit, described grant funding and potential homeowner cost-sharing, and approved applications for three FEMA buyouts to remove repeatedly flooded properties.
At its Nov. 4 meeting the Richmond Selectboard reviewed state-determined stormwater permitting obligations for parts of South View, Hidden Pines and Mary Drive, and voted to apply for three FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) buyouts.
Stormwater permitting: Staff described a state 3-acre permit that the state has applied to a set of parcels in South View (the packet references 44 parcels; town staff will confirm the exact parcel list with state officials). The town has received a grant to cover up to $199,999 in permit fees and up to $30,000 in initial engineering; Watershed Consulting was contracted for $32,500 for 30% design and notice of intent work (slightly over the stated $30,000 engineering allowance). Staff said if the town’s legal interpretation of covenants changes, the town may require individual homeowners to pay their share or pursue a stormwater system improvement agreement; as a fallback the town could consider a special assessment district to allocate costs.
Residents and committee members urged clearer state mapping and emphasized equity concerns if some property types (for example, mobile home parks) receive different funding treatment. Board members asked staff to confirm the state parcel list and to adjust the draft resident letter with a map and corrected parcel count before mailing.
FEMA buyouts: The board authorized applying for three homeowner-initiated HMGP buyouts (36 Jones Mill Road, 84 Esplanade Street, and 242 Bridge Street). Staff explained buyouts pay the appraised pre-flood value, fund demolition and site conversion to permanent open space, and typically require the town to keep the parcel as green space in perpetuity; the state and FEMA handle appraisals, procurement and most administrative tasks if a buyout is approved. The board moved and recorded an affirmative vote to submit the buyout applications.
Why it matters: the 3-acre permitting determination influences who must pay for engineering and compliance; buyouts remove structures from repetitive flood risk but raise housing and equity considerations for displaced homeowners.
Next steps: staff will confirm the state parcel list for the 3-acre permit, revise the resident mailing and map accordingly, and proceed with the state/FEMA application process for the three buyout candidates.
