Town holds public information session on updated hazard mitigation plan to maintain FEMA eligibility

Henniker officials held a public information session on the town’s updated five-year hazard mitigation plan, saying the draft will be submitted to FEMA for approval to preserve eligibility for federal disaster assistance.

Town Administrator Diane described the planning process: a committee of department heads, staff and community stakeholders began work in April 2024 and compiled a 476-page draft. She said the town’s actions since the previous 2019 plan have reduced vulnerabilities and that the draft reflects inventorying infrastructure, evaluating hazards (flood, fire, ice, lightning), and updating the town’s capability assessment.

Diane said the Central New Hampshire Regional Planning Commission assisted with the plan and that funding for that assistance came from FEMA’s BRIC program, which has experienced interruptions at the federal level. She emphasized the plan addresses natural hazards and highlighted town adoption of the state building code and use of the capital improvement program as mitigation measures.

The town will publish the draft on the hazard mitigation committee page and host a public hearing before the selectmen formally consider the plan; Diane encouraged residents and stakeholders to review the draft and participate via a posted link and QR code.

Board members and staff noted the level of detail in the draft — demographics, land-use inventories, and facility vulnerability assessments — and asked residents to provide input ahead of the formal public hearing and FEMA review.