Hazard mitigation
On Monday September 9, 2015 the Halifax Selectmen signed a 15-town hazard mitigation plan submitted by the Old Colony Planning Council. Erik Arbeene, a planner with the Council and Fire Chief Jason Viveiros presented the plan. It is intended prevent natural hazards that might occur.
Everything from earthquakes, to tornadoes to tsunamis are planned for in the nearly 1,500 page document. The plan takes a regional perspective, for example, there is no chapter for how Halifax should deal with mitigating flooding, but a chapter on how the region can mitigate flooding.
Signing a hazard mitigation plan such as the one signed by the board provides not only historical and demographic data used to mitigate such disasters, but allows towns and cities to apply for MEMA and FEMA grants to make improvements to prevent natural disasters from being so destructive to people and communities.
Chief Viveiros added that the information in the document might very well be helpful to apply for other grants, as well.
Monponsett Pond news
Selectmen noted that Health Agent Cathy Drinan is looking to improve signage on both the Monponsett Ponds warning those who seek to boat, swim, or fish in the ponds of the potential health risks. Any ideas from the public are welcome.
A letter will also be drafted by Town Administrator Charlie Seelig to the Brockton City Council at the direction of the board.
The letter will “strongly encourage” Brockton not to divert water from the East Pond until algae counts in the West Pond are below 70,000 ppm, despite the fact that Brockton can legally divert from October 1st until May 31st. This is for the health of both the bodies of water.
In other news:
- Three recycling abatements were approved while another four need clarifying documents to be properly adjudicated.
- Halifax Girls Basketball was approved a permit for the use of town property to hold a yard sale on the Town Hall green on Saturday, Sept. 12th.
- The temporary cellphone tower that will be used while the Water Tower is being repainted has been erected in the Town Hall parking lot and is nearly operational.
- Theresa Levenson was appointed to the Halifax in Lights committee.
- Two new full-time police officers were welcomed by the board, Officer Patrick DeRoo and Officer Brian Simpson, both of Halifax.