Regional planners outline priority hazards in Sharon raft Local Hazard Mitigation Plan

Ari Lattanzi, planner with the Two Rivers-Ottauquechee Regional Commission (TRORC), reviewed the draft Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP) for the town of Sharon at the Planning Commission meeting on May 12, 2026. Lattanzi said the plan—uilds on a community survey of 24 respondents that identified five priority hazards: flooding/erosion and dam failures; drought and wildfires; extreme heat; wind/ice/snow events; and invasive species. TRORC will identify at least one mitigation action for each hazard across four categories: local planning/regulations, structure/infrastructure projects, natural systems protection, and education/awareness programs.

Lattanzi outlined the near-term schedule for the plan: TRORC will attend the Sharon Health Initiative lunch on June 10; the town Selectboard will review the LHMP on July 6; state emergency planners at the Vermont Emergency Management (VEM) will review the plan; the Selectboard and VEM will approve the LHMP administratively before it is submitted to FEMA for final approval. Commission members discussed localized priorities including improving town culverts and ditches, slowing erosion and runoff, and incentives for private landowners to maintain swales and wetlands. Those interested in participating were asked to contact Town Administrator Nicola Shipman.

The presentation did not include regulatory changes or funding commitments; it was a status update and planning step that moves the town closer to a FEMA-reviewed mitigation plan. The next formal local review is the Selectboard meeting on July 6.