Committee, FEMA rep present long-term recovery plan to address recurring flooding

The long-term recovery committee presented a FEMA-facilitated plan focused on addressing recurring flood impacts across the town. Committee members and FEMA representative Mark Lee outlined five project categories: relocating a flood‑vulnerable fire station and creating alternate water supplies; amending the community emergency preparedness plan and building communication tools; conducting mitigation and scoping studies for the North Village and river corridors; advancing townwide community development concepts for housing and commercial areas out of floodplains; and creating a regional watershed study and management task force.

Committee members described project champions, partners and early action steps, and said some pieces (a rivers-related study) are already prioritized for funding consideration. Board members urged the committee to continue public outreach, keep the plan a living document, and make display materials and storyboards more visible to attract champions and grant readiness. The Select Board agreed to review the plan again at a future meeting.