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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018 MVP Final Report1 Town of Cohasset Community Resilience Building Workshop Summary of Findings June 2018 2 Town of Cohasset Community Resilience Building Workshop Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Program Summary of Findings OVERVIEW Recent years have seen notable weather extremes in Cohasset. The winter of 2015 brought record-breaking snow, resulting in delays and shutdowns in MBTA service. The following year, Cohasset was under a drought warning from July to November 2016. The winter of 2018 once again brought severe winter storms; the January nor’easter coastal storm surge exceeded the Blizzard of ’78; in March a succession of four nor’easters pummeled the town. In March/April 2010 rainfall was so significant that a federal disaster was declared for eastern Massachusetts, resulting in $59 million in assistance to individual households and $26 million in reimbursements to the state and municipalities. Globally, the years 2012 through 2017 all rank among the ten hottest on record. In 2017, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts inaugurated the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) program to assist municipalities in planning for and implementing strategies to adapt to predicted changes in our warming climate. The predicted changes include both increased flooding from large rain events and a greater likelihood of drought, increased extreme heat days and heat waves, and increased flooding from sea level rise. The Town of Cohasset, seeking to be proactive in addressing future climate threats, applied for a state grant to complete the Community Resilience Building (CRB) Workshop under the MVP program. Upon completion of the MVP program the Town will be eligible to apply for state grants to address identified climate risks. The Town of Cohasset partnered with the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) to complete the MVP program. The MVP Core Planning Team identified and recruited community stakeholders to participate in the CRB Workshop. Forty-six people representing Cohasset town staff, members of Cohasset Boards and Commissions, and representatives of Cohasset community organizations gathered on the evenings of June 4th and 5th (see Workshop Participants page 8). The Workshop’s central objectives were to: • Define top local natural and climate-related hazards of concern; • Identify existing and future strengthen and vulnerabilities; • Develop prioritized actions for the Community; • Identify immediate opportunities to collaboratively advance actions to increase resilience. 3 Materials provided for the workshop included local and regional data for changes in temperature, precipitation, and sea level recorded to date, as well as future projections to the end of the century. Posters provided data and mapping specific to Cohasset infrastructure, demographics, and natural resources (see Appendix). The participants considered Cohasset’s strengths and vulnerabilities focusing on infrastructure, society, and the environment. Working in small groups and then together as a large group they prioritized actions designed to increase Cohasset’s resilience to future extreme weather events. TOP HAZARDS AND VULNERABLE AREAS The Core Planning Team identified the top natural hazards. Based the review of workshop materials and recent experience, the team identified flooding (coastal and inland), heat waves, severe storms (wind, snow, ice) and drought as the climate hazards of greatest concern facing Cohasset. Flooding, drought, and severe storms have all affected Cohasset in recent years. Considering town demographics, the team also included extreme heat as a top hazard. Top Hazards  Flooding (inland and coastal)  Severe Storms (wind, snow, ice)  Drought  Extreme Heat CURRENT CONCERNS AND CHALLENGES PRESENTED BY HAZARDS Participants and town officials noted the increasing frequency and intensity of storms, including nor’easters that brought damaging winds, snowfall, and coastal flooding; as well as the recent period of drought. The principal challenges of the nor’easters included extended power outages, transportation impacts, and flooding along coastal roads and properties. During the drought of 4 2016 mandatory water restrictions were implemented and the water level in Lily Pond was so low that no flow was entering Bound Brook. As these issues are not new, the Town of Cohasset through its emergency management activities and hazard mitigation planning, has taken many steps to prepare for extreme weather and prevent harm to people and property. Workshop participants shared concerns that climate projections will heighten current challenges, particularly damage to infrastructure and natural resources along the coast, and power outages. AREAS OF CONCERN Geographic: Participants highlighted the vulnerability of harbor area businesses and infrastructure to damage from coastal storm surge as a critical concern. Other geographic concerns noted included the need for a replacement Police and Fire facility centrally located on Route 3A near Pond Street to improve town-wide emergency response time, and the need to improve cell service in areas of town so that emergency communications are maintained. Societal: Populations identified included: Seniors, people with medical needs, and low-income residents. While Cohasset’s public health and senior services were noted as a town strength, participants were concerned with barriers to emergency communication, and suggested options to increase knowledge of specific needs and improve social connections. Participants also noted that some residents will have fewer resources to prepare for, endure, and recover from, severe weather events. Suggestions included identifying financial resources and social services. Environmental: Protecting water quality and quantity was a top concern. Stormwater management and wetlands protection were highlighted as management strategies. Protecting and restoring salt marsh areas 5 was also a key concern. Tree management was also a priority – relating primarily to power outages, but also to fire hazards. Infrastructure: The need to address power failures was a top concern. Participants focused on the need for backup power, and for investing in microgrids, managing tree canopy, and generally increasing energy resilience. The Elm Street sewage treatment plant was highlighted for vulnerability to flooding, as well as for failures due to stormwater infiltration. As noted above, harbor area seawalls and other infrastructure are a top priority. CURRENT STRENGTHS AND ASSETS Workshop participants identified numerous Cohasset strengths and assets that will support resilience to future climate impacts. As shown below town strengths identified include its natural resources, civic engagement, strong communications and elder services, as well as community resources and infrastructure.  Salt marshes provide flood protection  The rocky elevated coast is a natural flood buffer (600 million years of stability)  Ample water supply  Healthy tree canopy  Limited amount of coastal hardening (sea walls)  Small community with good civic engagement and communication  Close knit community that is volunteer oriented  Well-educated community  Cohasset Cares, Willcutt Commons, and public health, provide important services  Cohasset/Scituate agency cooperation  Town communication: police, cable television, Facebook, town website, and Reverse 911  Pre-storm town planning; good connection between the Weymouth Shelter and Willcutt Commons  Meals on Wheels and elder outreach  Generators at the schools  Emergency Planning Center  Recycling Transfer Facility and solar array  Greenbush Commuter Rail  Community resources: Cohasset Center for Student Research, Garden Club TOP RECOMMENDATIONS TO IMPROVE RESILIENCE Each of the five workshop groups identified vulnerabilities and suggested solutions. The solutions were prioritized as High, Medium, or Low. Each group then identified their three highest priorities. There was overlap in the top priorities of the five groups. The fifteen identified highest priorities resulted in eleven distinct items. The participants each then voted for their top three 6 priorities (see Appendix). The issues identified as highest priorities below reflect the eleven top issues listed in order of the number of votes they received. Highest Priorities Reliable Power: Work with other towns to build resilience and redundancy. Have generators for critical facilities. Develop multi-modal power sources utilizing new technologies for resilience. Develop microgrids. Consider underground lines. Have an aggressive tree management plan. Gain answers from utilities regarding power failures. Coastal Flooding Protection: Ensure harbor structures provide improved protection. Enhance salt marshes for flood protection. Enhance marshes with dredged material. Map salt marsh migration potential. Sea Level Rise planning: Account for future sea level rise in town permits and planning. Emergency Response: Improve emergency response time with a new facility on Route 3A between Stop & Shop and Pond Street. Protect Water Quality: Manage sewage, septic, and fertilizer contamination of water resources. Emergency Communication and Assistance: Assure that communication, transportation, and shelter assistance is reaching vulnerable populations. Develop a more comprehensive contact list. Make sure the high school has an alternative energy source. Manage tide gates, stormwater, and wastewater systems: Identify points of vulnerability and develop plans. Protect Lily Pond: Protect water quality and water supply. Ensure protection from runoff and potential contaminants from Route 3A. Elm Street sewage treatment plant: Address infiltration through manhole covers. Consider the need for a wall or other protection for the plant. Cell phone service: Study solutions for areas of town with poor service. Add leaky cable or repeater. Improve cell towers. Work with Comcast and Verizon. Sea walls and drainage: Seek grants for improved drainage and sea wall repairs. High Priorities  Protect fish stocks from storm surge impacts.  Seeks grants to protect Jacob’s Meadow from flooding. Investigate new technology options; seawall.  Promote affordable housing in-house. Protect green space.  Enforce bylaws for wetlands and marsh protection. Restrict fertilizers. Have strong stormwater management for new construction. 7  Consider moving wastewater treatment plan to higher ground. Repair pipes to reduce infiltration. Pursue regionalization.  Need a plan for a local shelter. Modify Cohasset Middle-High School for solar and a microgrid.  Utilize EMTs to assist police with emergency response.  Develop a transportation/evacuation plan for elders and others. Work with MEMA and the town.  Study whether storms and rising seas will increase the frequency of needed dredging. Medium Priorities  Address displacement of people with pets. Consider shelter needs.  Maintain fire roads. Work with Trustees, State, and private landowners to address fire risk.  Assure that pollutants at Wompatuck have been remediated. Utilize waste consuming vegetation solutions.  For Sandy Cove and other low-lying areas: research and install appropriate drainage systems.  Check zoning laws to make sure they discourage new development in flood zones.  Study option of using treated water to replenish supply.  Encourage use of rain gardens to treat stormwater from Route 3A and protect the water supply. Consider working with the Garden Club.  Promote wetland protection through strong bylaws and enforcement.  Analyze the vulnerability of the sewer pump stations.  Look for opportunities to expand wetland water storage to improve capacity of Aaron River Dam Reservoir  Be sure that at least one gas station has a generator for fuel supplies during power outages.  Have a plan for regular surveys to remove damaged trees.  All schools should have backup power. Consider updates to the Middle-High School.  Utilize town volunteers to supplement efforts of town staff. Be proactive and forward thinking.  Consider those who may need financial assistance during emergencies. Coordinate social services. Consider the Rotary Club.  Provide public service safety messaging for owners of generators. Low Priorities  Study roads and bridges subject to flooding.  Ensure Beechwood Dam has a backup generator.  Town Hall does not have backup power – emergency command central is needed. No priority listed  Maintain or remove Fort Pond Brook Dam.  Provide education about ticks and invasive plants.  Do more public education regarding stormwater and sewage overflow. 8  Address unhealthy trees and dead undergrowth. Harvest firewood, develop a management plan.  Address contamination of Musquashicut Pond due to failed septic systems. Focus on South Main Street, Briggs Harbor, and Gulf River. Ensure septic systems are functioning.  Rain gardens need a maintenance plan.  Encourage water conservation and fixture replacement.  Address excessive water use. Utilize public education and irrigation permits.  Inventory critical facilities to ensure they have generators.  For sewer and grinder pumps consider microgrids, education, and access to generators.  Railroad crossing gates stay closed when power is out: MTBA issue.  Develop heat advisory plan for high school (as it is in a heat zone).  Investigate possibility of municipal power plant and battery storage.  Raise all seawalls; raise and extend jetty; have an on-going dredge plan.  Make sure all tide gates will be functional in extreme conditions.  Encourage white roofs, shade landscaping to address heat, permeable parking for stormwater, and solar energy.  Create a plan to use the Music Circus as a staging area.  Organize neighbor to neighbor connections. Identify community needs.  Assure that elder housing has backup generators. CRB WORKSHOP INVITED PARTICIPANTS * = representative attended State Senator* State Representatives* Advisory Committee* Affordable Housing Committee Alternative Energy Commission* Capital Budget Committee* Board of Health* Board of Selectmen* Town Hall Building Committee Community Preservation Committee* Conservation Commission* Design Review Board* Elder Affairs* Government Island Advisory Committee* Harbor Committee* Historical Commission* Housing Authority* Long Range Planning Group Master Plan Committee* Open Space and Recreation* Planning Board* Recreation Commission 9 School Committee Sewer Commission* Stormwater Advisory Water Commission* Zoning Board of Appeals Building and Inspections* Conservation* Public Works* Elder Affairs Emergency Management* Fire Department* Harbormaster* Health* IT Planning* Police* Public Health Nurse* Procurement Schools Sewer* Town Manager* Veterans Water Safe Harbors Coalition* South Shore Sustainability Sotherby Real Estate Agency* South Shore Music Circus Gulf River Watershed Association Straits Pond Watershed Association Stop & Shop Shaw’s Cavanaro Consulting* South Shore Art Center Second Congregational Church* Cohasset Food Pantry Cohasset Conservation Land Trust Mass Coastal Zone Management* Mass Bays* Sandy Beach Association Cohasset Land Trust 10 CRB WORKSHOP PROJECT TEAM Cohasset Core Team Peter Matchak Planning Director, Project Lead Michelle Leary Sewer Department Jack Buckley Cohasset Student Coastal Research Center Facilitation Team Anne Herbst Metropolitan Area Planning Council (Lead Facilitator) Jack Buckley Cohasset Student Coastal Research Center Peter Afanasiw Cohasset Student Coastal Research Center Laura Humphrey Cohasset Student Coastal Research Center Susan Bryant Cohasset Student Coastal Research Center Russell Sears Cohasset Student Coastal Research Center CITATION Metropolitan Area Planning Council. 2018. Town of Cohasset Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Program. Community Resilience Building Workshop Summary of Findings. Cohasset, Massachusetts ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Thanks to the MVP Core Team members, CRB workshop participants, and to Peter Matchak from the Planning Board who served as local Project Coordinator. Thank you to the Cohasset Student Coastal Research Center facilitators, most of whom are also Cohasset High School teachers. Thank you to Fire Chief Quigley addressing the workshop. Funding for the CRB Workshop was provided by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts through a grant from the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness program. 11 APPENDIX –ACTION PRIORITIZATION, BASE MAP, AND WORKSHOP MATERIALS 12 Actions Prioritization 13 Base Map 14 PowerPoint Our Warming Planet 15 16 17 18 19 POSTERS 20 21 22