A new hazard mitigation plan could pave the way for new funding avenues to improve city infrastructure.
The City Council recently adopted a new, non-binding regional hazard mitigation plan with nine other communities which aims to reduce long-term risk to residents and property from future disasters. The plan, which was given the green light from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency, outlines a road map to mitigate future risks, such as identifying infrastructure upgrades and existing community resources.
“The plan serves as a non-binding guidance document for the community outlining compressive strategies to minimize risk and vulnerabilities from natural hazards over the next five years,” Haverhill Police Chief Robert P. Pistone told councilors.
Pistone said public safety officials from Haverhill and the Merrimack Valley Planning Commission spent nearly two years drafting the plan.
“It’s necessary that we have an active and update hazard mitigation plan which enables to apply for federal and state funding for emergencies as well as to apply for grants for upgrading infrastructure that obviously is a hazard to the city,” he said.
Hanna Mogensen, coastal resource coordinator at the commission noted an active plan opens the door for officials to apply for flood mitigation, hazard mitigation and building resilience grants.
Councilors unanimously voted to adopt the plan, active through the next five years.