DALTON, Mass. — The Hazard Mitigation Planning Committee is seeking community input on the Hazard Mitigation Plan it has been working on updating over the last few months. 

 

The plan identifies and prioritizes strategies to mitigate the impacts of natural hazards and climate change on our community.

 

There will be an open comment period until Tuesday, May 7, during which residents can share their perspectives to inform the plan. 

 

The committee said public engagement lies at the core of the Hazard Mitigation Plan and that it is imperative it reflects the diverse perspectives and priorities of community members as the town moves to mitigate risks posed by natural hazards and climate change. 

 

The public can review and comment on the plan online and copies are available in person at the Town Hall. 

 

Town officials and local stakeholders developed this plan with funding support from the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency.

 

A number of town officials from various committees and departments have been working with the consultant to discuss the area's hazards and update the hazard mitigation plan to minimize the risk to people, property, and the environment. 

 

In addition, the goal of the plan is to increase the town's capacity and promote a hazard mitigation culture in the community through education, regulations, planning, and collaboration with neighboring regions.

 

Departments and committees, or commissions, involved in this process included the Water, Building and Ground departments; Police, Fire, and Health departments; Conservation Commission members, and other town officials.

 

Once implemented, the Hazard Mitigation Plan is designed to make the town more resilient to natural hazards such as flooding, snowstorms, high winds, and extreme temperatures. 

 

Once approved by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and adopted by the town, the plan will allow Dalton to apply for pre- and post-disaster hazard mitigation grant funds.