Natural watercourses cannot be altered or obstructed by subdivisions Subdivision Regulations An adequate system of stormwater drainage shall be provided, and no natural watercourse shall be altered or obstructed in such a way as to reduce the natural run-off capacity, unless substitute means of run-off are provided. The Board may require culverts and other stormwater drainage installations where it deems necessary to connect with one or more natural watercourses. All necessary easements for drainage shall be provided, whether on or off the site. (Subdivision Regulations, 6.3. Storm Water Drainage) Floods Effective Responsibility for drainage improvements falls on developers for subdivision projects Subdivision Regulations The responsibility for ade3quate drainage shall rest with the developer. This shall include the risk involved in connecting with existing drainage facilities (if any) provided by the Town. (Subdivision Regulations, 7.3.0 Responsibility) Floods Effective Water supply requirements Subdivision Regulations Board of Health Regulations and Department of Environmental Protection Standards for private and public water supplies shall be met or exceeded (Subdivision Regulations, 6.4 Water Supply). Drought Effective Utilities required to be buried in subdivisions Subdivision Regulations All lines or wires used for the transmission of electricity or intelligence shall be placed underground within the subdivision in a location approved by the Superintendent of Streets (Subdivision Regulations, 7.5. Utilities Other than Drainage Structures). Severe thunderstorms / wind / tornadoes / hurricanes / severe snow storms / ice storms Effective Environmental impact assessment required as part of subdivisions Subdivision Regulations Environmental impact of all new developments must be considered as part of subdivision applications, including the impact to groundwater (Subdivision Regulations 8.5. Environmental Impact). Drought Wildfire / brushfire Effective Conformance with State Building Code State Regulation Adoption of the Massachusetts State Building Code, which promotes construction of buildings that can withstand hazards to a certain degree. All hazards Effective
Drainage improvements to Union Road Municipal Operations Drainage improvements to Union Road are currently in process to resolve chronic flooding issues. The cost of these improvements will be approximately $90,000. Floods Effective Woodland Heights drainage improvements Municipal Operations The Town has secured Community Development Block Grant funding for drainage improvements in the Woodland Heights area. The cost of these improvements will be approximately $600,000. Floods Effective Reverse 911 system Municipal Operations Reverse 911 system, known as Code Red, is currently linked to New Braintree, MA emergency dispatch. All hazards Effective Beaver management strategy Municipal operations Town DPW monitors waterways and culverts for impediments from beavers and hires private company to remove beaver dams. Beaver traps are also installed at areas known for beaver activity. Floods Effective Wildfire Prevention Municipal Operations State and local conservation land cleaned annually to eliminate fuel source for potential wildfire Wildfire / brushfire Effective
Prioritized List of Mitigation Strategies for Wales Action Name Action Type Description Hazards Mitigated Agency Priority Cost Funding Source Timeframe Install Emergency Generators Structure and Infrastructure Projects Secure funding and install emergency generator at Wales Senior Center. All Hazards Selectboard, DPW, Council on Aging High Medium HMPG 5 years Install Detention Basins Structure and Infrastructure Projects Install new detention basins t locations that flood. Grant application submitted to fund installation. Flooding Selectboard, DPW High High HMPG 2 years Replace Culverts Structure and Infrastructure Projects Address approximately 30 underperforming culverts that are scheduled to be repaired or replaced. Flooding DPW, Fire Department, Police Department High Medium DPW / MassWorks / HMPG 4 years Monson Road improvements Structure and Infrastructure Projects Implement funding for Monson Road drainage and paving improvements. Flooding DPW High Medium HMPG 2 years Extreme Cold Weather Education Education and Outreach Educate property owners in how to protect plumbing, including letting the faucet drip during extreme cold weather. Materials will be included at Senior Center and published in Town newsletter. Severe snow storms / ice storms Fire Department, Police Department, DPW, Council on Aging Medium Low DPW, Council on Aging 2 years Tree pruning Municipal operations Inspect and prune trees annually, to reduce risk of fallen branches felling power lines, as a collaboration between Tree Warden and National Grid. Severe thunderstorms / wind / tornadoes / hurricanes / severe snow storms / ice storms Tree Warden, DPW, Fire Department Medium Low Town 2 years
Flood Risk Education Education and Outreach Appoint emergency services member to conduct outreach to homeowners to educate them about flood risks and encourage purchasing of flood insurance. Materials will be included at Senior Center and published in Town newsletter. Flooding Fire Department, Police Department, DPW, Council on Aging Medium Low Police / Fire Department 2 years Monitor at-risk culverts Municipal operations Annually inspect at-risk culverts that could be impacted during flooding. Flooding DPW, Fire Department, Police Department, Planning Board, Selectboard Medium Low DPW 1 Outreach to vulnerable populations about shelter Education and Outreach Conduct outreach to senior citizens and other vulnerable populations about Senior Center being an accessible emergency shelter with heating. All hazards Council on Aging Medium Low Council on Aging 2 years CEM Plan Update Local planning and regulation Update CEM Plan as per the State of Massachusetts requirement that plan is revised every 5 years. All hazards Select Board, DPW, Fire Department, Police Department Medium Low Town 2 years