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Richmond approves FEMA/USDA grant steps, purchase orders for flood work and several small reserve‑fund disbursements
Summary
The board moved to apply for FEMA buyouts on two properties, accepted USDA EWP grant funds contingent on homeowner matches, approved several purchase orders for flood‑mitigation engineering and police coverage, and authorized modest reserve fund uses for conservation and library repairs.
The Richmond Select Board acted on multiple grant, purchase‑order and small reserve‑fund requests at its March 17 meeting. Key actions included applying for FEMA Hazard Mitigation buyout assistance for 44 Old Brooklyn Court and 2468 Cochran Road, accepting USDA Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) grant assistance for eight private parcels (with a 25% homeowner match), approving engineering and police‑coverage purchase orders, and authorizing modest reserve‑fund expenditures for conservation and library needs.
On FEMA buyouts, staff explained that if a buyout is completed the town would own the lots, which would be maintained as undeveloped green space and subject to FEMA deed restrictions. The board voted to apply for buyouts for the two properties under discussion and discussed later decisions about how buyout parcels might be used (benches, gardens or limited recreational structures consistent with FEMA and town flood ordinances).
The board voted to accept USDA EWP grant funding for multiple properties and named Town Manager Josh Arneson as the authorized representative; staff noted homeowners must provide a 25% match and may withdraw before contractor selection. The board also approved a purchase order to NE Consulting Engineers (PO 5233) for EWP engineering (not to exceed $222,000) and two POs to Hinesburg Police (PO 5235 and PO 5237) covering past and upcoming police coverage (amounts listed in the meeting packet and recorded in the votes).
Separately the board approved use of $600 from the Conservation Reserve Fund for additional safety and collection gear for the Richmond Save Our Salamanders Network pilot and authorized $500 from the Town Center & Library Reserve to fill foundation holes at the library to reduce rodent entry. The board also approved $2,141.31 to add two Wi‑Fi access points on the Town Center third floor (MMCTV’s board president abstained).
Members said the grant work and engineering purchases are time‑sensitive and that staff will return to the board with contract details and homeowner agreements as work progresses.
