The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Town seeks input on Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan
OLD SAYBROOK — The town of Old Saybrook and borough of Fenwick, in the process of updating their Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan, are hoping to hear feedback and suggestions from the public during a hearing early next month.
The purpose is to update the hazards risk assessment, mitigation strategies, and actions to reduce the loss of life and property resulting from natural and climate-related hazards, according to a news release. A key part of this initiative is to document the progress made in implementing actions outlined in the 2014 NHMP.
As a part of the planning process, the town and borough created a local planning team made up of local, state and regional officials to assist in leading the development of the plan. The town has retained GZA GeoEnvironmental to assist the planning team in the preparation of the NHMP Update. Funding for this activity is being provided by the town of Old Saybrook, the release said.
A critical component of the planning process is open public involvement where the town and the borough will provide the public with the opportunity to provide input and comments at two public meetings, it continued.
The first public meeting will be held Dec. 5 at 6:30 p.m. in the first-floor conference room of Town Hall, 302 Main St. The focus is to present the planning framework, critical assets identified, and natural and climate-related hazard characterizations.
A second public meeting will be held Feb. 6 at 6:30 p.m. in the same location. It will present the updated natural hazard mitigation strategy and actions for Old Saybrook and Fenwick. These will be designed to reduce the loss of life and property from natural and climate-related hazards, including but not limited to, coastal flooding, sea-levelrise, severe wind resulting from hurricanes and severe winter weather the release said.
For information, visit the Town Initiatives page at oldsaybrookct.gov.