SOUTH DEERFIELD — The Baker-Polito administration has awarded the town a $15,000 state Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness grant to prepare for climate change and future extreme weather events.
“We as a town are wholly vested in long term sustainable solutions to the increase of frequent large storm events from chaotic weather patterns induced by climate change,” reads an application for the grant, given by the state’s Energy and Environmental Affairs.
Town Administrator Wendy Foxmyn noted towns that sign onto the program, with the grant money, agree to integrate the state’s broader action plan using statewide climate change data.
“We look forward to integrating the data from the statewide climate and projections data into our 2014 Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan, our 2014 Open Space and Recreation Plan, our Master Plan upon update, and other plans and policies, as appropriate,” the application continues.
According to the state’s website, the money is awarded for towns to “complete vulnerability assessments and develop action-oriented resiliency plans.”
Along with Deerfield, a few other Franklin County towns also received funding. Ashfield and Conway received $20,000 through a regional partnership application; Buckland received $15,000; Charlemont, $15,000; Colrain, $15,000; and Montague, $17,000.
Elsewhere in the state, the office of Energy and Environmental Affairs awarded nearly 60 cities and towns more than $1.1 million in Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness grants for the same purpose.