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Date: 10/18/2023
EAST LONGMEADOW — A hazard mitigation plan is required by the Federal Emergency Management Agency as a prerequisite to receive grant funding. While there is overlap between hazard mitigation and emergency preparedness, Mimi Kaplan, senior land use and environment planner at the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, explained to the Town Council at a hearing during its Oct. 10 meeting that hazard mitigation strategies encompass a broader spectrum and can help prevent emergencies from happening. She added that it can help municipalities use resources more efficiently and that preparation is generally less expensive than disaster cleanup.
Kaplan said a committee composed of herself, Fire Chief Paul Morrisette and other town departments has met four times over the past several months. The hazard mitigation planning process involves assessing vulnerabilities, identifying infrastructure, assessing existing strategies and identifying new ones.
The risk analysis performed by the committee showed various natural hazards, such as flooding, severe winter storms, wildfires, extreme temperatures and drought. Some, such as tornadoes and earthquakes, were “very low” probability, but would have a “critical” impact were they to happen. Extreme temperatures and flooding were identified as “moderate” risks with “minor” impact, while severe thunderstorms and winter weather events were determined to be a “high” and “very high” risk with “limited” impacts.
Morrisette said he has concerns about debris left by utilities cutting branches and trees. He said it may act as fuel for wildfires, especially in the town’s conservation land. So far, he said, the town has been “lucky.” Councilor Kathleen Hill suggested approaching the utilities to pay for the debris cleanup.
Turning to another hazard, Council President Ralph Page said that in some areas, stormwater infrastructure is not able to handle large storms and flooding occurs. Councilor Marilyn Richards commented that she once pulled her car into the parking lot of the former Coughlin’s Place “and watched the river flow” down North Main Street. Morrisette said DPW Director Bruce Fenney has explained to him that the stormwater pipes become blocked by debris and are cleared, but soon become blocked again.
The council discussed seeking funding from FEMA or the state’s Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness program to handle such issues.
The town already has several mitigation strategies in place to handle such hazards. They include a Resilient Master Plan, cooling/heating centers and emergency notifications through the CodeRed system, as well as zoning and permitting processes.
Kaplan said the next step is to gather public feedback on the work done so far, incorporate it into the plan and then seek the approval of the Town Council and FEMA.
Moving on to financial matters, the council approved the use of $41,193 from the Community Preservation Committee’s historical account to restore six large, 197-year-old windows at the First Congregational Church. Page explained that the original project called for replacement of the windows, however, such a use was not eligible for community preservation funding.
Hayward Restoration of Shelburne Falls will do the work in the spring of 2024. Community Preservation Commission Chair Anthony Zampiceni said there are few vendors in the area equipped to handle the project. The committee had voted to include a 10-year deed restriction in the funding agreement which would require the town to be reimbursed for the window expenses if the building is sold during that period.
Page said that he was pleased with the deed restriction. Richards agreed and referred to rumors that the building might be sold, however, Zampiceni said he was told by church leadership that a sale is not being considered.
Councilor Connor O’Shea said he did not support the use of town funds to restore a private structure used for religious purposes, as he felt it would violate the separation of church and state. Page opined that it would preserve a historical “centerpiece of our town,” adding that the building is prominently featured in postcards other images of the town.
The vote was 5-1 to approve the project with O’Shea voting against it. Councilor Jonathan Torcia, who served on the Community Preservation Committee until June, abstained.
The council also voted to rescind a bond authorization for $4.31 million to address several issues. Town Manager Tom Christensen said the price of most of the items changed after the initial approval, requiring a subsequent vote and the rescindment of the original one. Funding to cover a $32,389 shortfall for a sewer truck from the Sewer Vehicle Replacement Reserve was needed after the cost of the vehicle increased. A third project, the preservation of the town’s maps and plans, was not able to be completed and as a result, $4,750 was returned to the Community Preservation Commission’s historical account. There are plans to complete the project at a later date.
During the public comment period, Springfield resident Craig Jernstrom asked the council where the town sourced the money to purchase 382 N. Main St. He then referred to a council meeting on Dec. 13, 2022, in which the council voted to approve $2.4 million from free cash and a loan for $3.6 million for the purchase. Because the purchase was not called for in the fiscal year 2023 budget, Jernstrom said it was in opposition to the town charter. When Jernstrom wanted the councilors to answer his questions, Page explained that the public comment period is not structured for back-and-forth exchanges. However, he did say that the council does not make decisions that are against the charter. Beyond that, he said he could not comment because the issue was still under negotiation.
The last public forum ahead of the Nov. 7 vote on the proposed new high school and natatorium to house the pool is Oct. 19. Vote-by-mail is available and early voting on the ballot questions will be conducted in the East Longmeadow Public Library Conference Room beginning Saturday, Oct. 28 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and continue each day from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. until Nov. 3. Residents with questions should contact Town Clerk Jeanne Quaglietti at Jeanne.Quaglietti@eastlongmeadowma.gov or 413-525-5400, ext. 1001.