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Williamstown planning commission backs grant application to renew local hazard mitigation plan
Summary
The commission voted to support applying for a Municipal Planning Grant to update the town's Local Hazard Mitigation Plan, which expires Nov. 12, 2025; the application requires Selectboard sign-off and has an ACCD deadline of Nov. 3, 2025.
Chair Rich Turner said Williamstown's Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP) will expire on Nov. 12, 2025, and urged the commission to seek funding to update it. Commissioners discussed that the usual federal funding stream for such plans is no longer reliable and that a Municipal Planning Grant would be a preferred funding route.
"Our local HMP will expire on Nov. 12, 2025," Chair Rich Turner said, noting the Agency of Commerce and Community Development (ACCD) must sign off on grant approvals and that the Municipal Planning Grant application requires the Selectboard's endorsement. Turner outlined two paths: apply for a second Municipal Planning Grant (deadline Nov. 3, 2025) or attempt a multi-town, regional application with neighboring towns whose plans are also expiring.
Commissioner Horace Duke moved and Commissioner Rama Schneider seconded a motion that the Planning Commission support and apply for a Municipal Planning Grant to update the expiring HMP; the motion was recorded as approved in the minutes. The commission agreed that Turner would coordinate with town staff (Jackie) and the Regional Planning Commission (RPC) to prepare materials for the Selectboard to review before their Oct. 13 meeting.
