Craftsbury, News

Select Board Discusses CCCC Budget, Hazard Mitigation Plan

by Gazette Staff

CRAFTSBURY – At its February 28 regular meeting, the Craftsbury Select Board agenda included a review of the revised CCCC budget, local hazard mitigation, and a proposed flood plain buyout.

Craftsbury Community Care Center (CCCC) board members Penelope Doherty and Steve Pitkin presented an overview of the revised CCCC budget, which reflected a $500K enhancement to the existing Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) award of $500,000. They also submitted a draft letter of support prepared for the select board to the Agency of Commerce and Community Development – Vermont Community Development Program. The CDBG $500,000 Implementation Grant had been awarded in November 2021 as a subgrant to renovate the air handling system at the 24-unit senior living facility. The CDBG awards committee approached the CCCC board to advise that it had arranged for an increase of $500,000 for the HVAC project to increase the grant amount to $1 million. The board voted to endorse the letter of support.

The next agenda item was a proposal that the board meet with the Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP) review group by March 1, 2023, and charge them with: contacting individuals and entities tasked with carrying out mitigation actions to review progress and needs; meeting with the Local Emergency Management Plan (LEMP) review team to review their findings and consider adjustments to strategies; and setting a date to discuss results with the select board at a warned meeting prior to May 1, the LEMP due date. After discussion, the board voted to task the LMHP review group with the listed tasks.

Another agenda item came from local resident Devin Small, who raised the issue of a flood plain buyout. Small is concerned about the floodplain situation near his home (built in the 1860s) and the huge increase in their flood insurance cost. Small asked the board to consider taking part in the Vermont Flood Resilient Communities Fund (FRCF), which is funded through the American Rescue Plan Act to buy the property. Established by the Vermont Legislature under Act 74, the FRCF, a voluntary program, focuses on improving landscape and community resilience and reducing the future public safety and water quality impacts of climate-related flood hazards in Vermont through buyouts of flood-vulnerable properties. After discussion, the board asked Mr. Small to provide more details before a decision is made.

The next topic for discussion considered a memorial contribution for Nancy Rooney. Rooney was the Craftsbury Select Board clerk for many years. After discussion, the board voted to make a $50 memorial contribution to the Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence (which was noted in the obituary) in honor of her many years as select board clerk.

The board then voted to approve spending $15,000 in American Recovery Plan Act (ARPA) funds to support the school’s purchase of a generator.

Under Committee Reports, Craftsbury Planning Commission Chair Farley Brown said the group was thrilled that more than 50 people were in attendance at the Craftsbury Village Visioning public meeting. The commission received a lot of feedback and continues to receive citizen comments via letters.

Consultants DuBois & King will draft a report for the March meeting and submit a final report in April. D&K concepts will be narrowed to the one that is most viable and a cost estimate for that option will be generated. Ongoing commission work includes completing the Village Master Plan and focusing on Act 171 Forest Block work.

The Conservation Commission needs more members.

The Energy Committee reported that there has been a harvest in the Academy woodlot. Part of that wood that has been harvested has been given to the Academy trustees and will be given to the Energy Committee for the firewood project.

The Antiques & Uniques Committee has sent applications to past vendors and, so far, 24 have committed to participate.

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