The Town of South Hadley’s Planning and Conservation Department will host a second listening session on Wednesday, Jan. 15 at 6:30 p.m. in the Selectboard Meeting Room of town hall to discuss municipal vulnerabilities and preparedness related to climate change. This forum will focus on the condition of rivers and ponds in South Hadley, including Titus Pond, Black Stevens Pond, Newton Smith Brook, Buttery Brook, Judd Brook, and Stony Brook. The department is particularly interested in hearing about issues residents experience associated with these water resources (flooding, odors, unpleasant aesthetics, etc.). Many of these issues may be exacerbated due to the effects of climate change. Information gathered at this workshop may assist the town in seeking future grants to address some of these issues.
The listening session will feature a presentation on the findings from the Community Resilience Building Workshop, held on Sept. 19. The workshop focused on identifying the potential natural hazards that could occur in South Hadley due to climate change, and prioritizing actions South Hadley can take to prepare for the identified hazards. The workshop was attended by a core team of local stakeholders including representatives from emergency response agencies, utilities, educational institutions, municipal staff, the regional planning agency, and the Town’s project consultant Fuss & O’Neill, Inc.
The Summary of Findings from the Sept. 19 Community Resilience Building Workshop can be viewed here.
For more information about the listening session contact Anne Capra, Conservation Administrator/Planner, at acapra@southhadleyma.gov or (413) 538-5017 x208.
This event is being funded by a Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) Grant from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs to the Town of South Hadley.