Metro Boston SouthWest Regional MultiHazard Mitigation Plan Medfield

Metro Boston South/West Regional Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan Medfield Annex Board of Selectmen Public Meeting April 7, 2008 Joseph Domelowicz Jr. Martin Pilsbury Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC)

Why is Medfield doing this plan? n Federal Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 requires that a community must adopt a local plan in order to apply for certain grants: n Pre-Disaster Mitigation Competitive (PDM-C) n Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) n Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) n This plan fulfills that requirement and helps the Town make good use of its resources TRIC SWAP n MAPC grant to develop a regional plan and 18 local plans

Plan for Preventing Damages from Natural Hazards n Natural hazards only n n n Flooding High winds, hurricanes, tornadoes Winter storms Brush fires Earthquakes, landslides n Not an Emergency Response Plan

How the Plan Was Developed n Regional committee with neighboring communities n Local committee for Local Plan (“annex”): Fire, Planning, Emergency Management, Public Works, Conservation n Content of the Plan: n Critical Facilities Mapping n Hazard Risk Assessment n Existing Mitigation n Proposed Mitigation n Plan Maintenance

What Is Hazard Mitigation? To permanently reduce or prevent losses of life, injuries and property following natural hazards by using long-term strategies What preventive actions are being taken NOW to reduce future risks and damages? What actions can be taken in the FUTURE?

Critical Facilities and Sites § Developed database and maps of critical facilities, infrastructure, and natural hazard areas n 53 sites identified in Medfield n Sites important for disaster response n n such as fire and police stations Sites requiring additional assistance such as elderly housing Places of assembly (churches, schools, etc. ) Dams, Communications Facilities Sites that might pose a risk such as a chemical plant or other facilities with hazardous materials

Risk Identification & Assessment n MAPC used statewide data sources to map floodplains, average snowfall, wind speeds, hurricanes, earthquake risk areas, etc. n Reviewed statewide hazard mitigation plan n Met with Town staff to get information on hazard areas n Met with Town staff to get information on potential development

Locally-Identified Hazard Areas of Concern n Minor Flooding Areas – mainly due to: n n n Proximity to floodplain Clogged catch basins & pipes, old infrastructure Topography n Locations include: n n n Causeway Street/ Sewell Brook State Hospital property Elm Street/ Mill Brook Main Street/ Charles River Colonial Rd. south to Hospital Rd.

Locally-Identified Hazard Areas of Concern n Wind Hazards n Historical hurricane and Tropical Storm tracking n Potential Fire Risk: n n n Noon Hill Railroad tracks Hunt club

Locally-Identified Areas of Development n Categorized on map as: Current Development or Future Development, includes: n n n Hospital property Hunt Club property Wood Ridge and Erik Road Maple Street Medfield Woods

Now to the Meat of the Plan…

Example Existing Mitigation Measures n Flood-Related n Development Controls: Flood Hazard District, Wetlands Bylaw and Regulations, Site Plan/Subdivision Controls n Ongoing drainage system maintenance and upgrades n Protected Open Space and Wetland areas provide buffers and flood storage n Beaver Mitigation on a case-by-case basis n Public Education through Stormwater NPDES Program

Existing Mitigation Measures n Wind-Related n Tree-trimming and removal by Tree Department and National Grid n Winter-Related n Standard snow removal and sanding operations n Fire-Related n Open burning permits required

Potential Future Mitigation Measures High Priority n Flood & Fire Mitigation n n Upgrade/ Replace culvert at Causeway and Orchard St. Replace culvert on Elm Street at Mill Brook Maintain RR culvert at Frairy and Upham streets Include additional mitigation as needed as part of hospital redevelopment plan

Potential Future Mitigation Measures Medium Priority Flood & Fire Mitigation n n n Replace/ Upgrade existing bridge and roadway on Main Street at Charles River Expand/ replace culvert on South Street near RR tracks Continue Open Space preservation Update Hazardous Material Response Plan Assessment of historic structure natural hazard vulnerability Public Education on Brush Fire Prevention

Plan Adoption & Approval n The plan must be adopted by a vote of the Board of Selectmen. The vote must state that the Board has adopted the plan, not approved or accepted. n Plans submitted to State Hazard Mitigation Officer (SHMO) for initial review. n SHMO forwards to FEMA Region I for final review and approval.

What happens after the plan is adopted and approved? n Individual municipalities decide whether to pursue grants for projects identified in the plan. n n n FEMA requires a benefit/cost analysis Grant programs are competitive nationwide Some projects may need more work before a grant application can be submitted

Questions and Comments