Guilford adopts hazard mitigation plan
GUILFORD — GUILFORD - At the Aug. 24 regular Selectboard meeting, board members adopted the town's Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP).
The vote was unanimous, minus the absent Gabrielle Ciufredda.
The plan analyzes damages from past natural disasters, develops strategies for mitigating those that may occur, and delineates who is responsible for what during potential future events. The LHMP is meant to provide long-term risk-reduction and increase community resiliency.
Towns need to adopt a LHMP to receive federal funding through the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
After developing the plan with the Windham Regional Commission, town officials submitted the plan to Vermont's Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security for approval.
Board Chair Anne Rider noted, “ours was the first one that's been recommended [by the state] for adoption... with no changes [or] amendments.”
Rider thanked everyone involved in creating Guilford's LHMP, including former Emergency Management Director Herb Meyer.
Guilford resident Steven Lembke said thanks should also go to Windham Regional Commission (WRC) Planner Alyssa Sabetto, who was very helpful in the flood plain portion of the LHMP.
Rider returned compliments to Lembke, noting he was also instrumental in developing training in flood plain administration with Sabetto and the WRC.
Guilford opts to post policies online
GUILFORD - After some discussion at the last few Selectboard meetings, the Guilford board decided it will post the town's policies on its website, www.guilfordvt.net.
“It could be confusing or controversial” to have the town's policies on the website, said Board member Dick Clark at the Aug. 24 regular meeting, but he said he was not opposed to it.
Troy Revis responded to Clark's concerns, noting if someone is confused, “they can still pick up the phone and call the Town Clerk.”
“I don't think there's any reason not to put them up,” Board Member Sheila Morse said, adding, “there's nothing that we do that's secret.” Morse made a motion to “post all policies on the town website,” which was passed unanimously, minus the absent Gabrielle Ciufredda.
Morse said Guilford's website should be the locus of information about how the town works, including policies and ordinances, “so people can refer to them easily.”
Guilford's official website currently lists the town's ordinances.
Town Administrator Rebecca Stone expressed concern about the website including the town's procedures, because those are “more for internal use,” she said.
“That's a good distinction,” said Board Chair Anne Rider, and suggested compiling an inventory of the town's policies to ensure they are clear before posting them online.