Coastal Resiliency Task Force

Charge:   The purpose of the Coastal Resiliency Task Force is to make recommendations to the Selectboard regarding coastal resiliency goals and actions including priorities. The Task Force is to serve as the primary advisory body regarding coastal sustainability, risks and hazards to coastal infrastructure, relevant properties at the coast and nearby, businesses and residents, and the natural environment, and shall seek input from a range of stakeholders to supplement their own expertise and experience. Furthermore, their scope should include but not necessarily be limited to:

1. Review, analyze, and summarize previous plans and reports undertaken by the Town related to climate change;

2. Develop recommendations for the development of short-term and long-term action plans and policies for submission to the Selectboard to address coastal resiliency and sustainability efforts;

3. Engage and communicate with stakeholders who may hold specific expertise, interest, and experience with coastal resiliency issues;

4. Conduct public outreach and education related to coastal risks, hazards, and resiliency;

5. Coordinate with other municipal and non-municipal groups, committees, and organizations to enhance capacity and avoid overlap in the name of efficiency; and

6. Identify and recommend grants and other funding to supplement staff and volunteer time and resources as may contribute, through outside expertise and other means, to advancing understanding, developing plans, and executing action items including capital improvements.

Membership:  Task Force membership shall be comprised of following: 

• One (1) Conservation Commission member;
• One (1) One Planning Board member;
• One (1) Selectboard member; 
• Two (2) members at-large appointed by the Selectboard based upon qualifications to advance coastal resiliency planning and implementation.  Examples of relevant knowledge or expertise may include:

1. Environmental sciences related to wetlands, coastal systems, climate change, etc.
2. Engineering fields related to erosion control, coastal infrastructure, etc.
3. Knowledge of state and federal grant opportunities, grant writing, etc. 

Staffing:  The Planning Director shall be responsible for convening the initial meeting of the task force and thereafter the Task Force shall deliberate in regard to their needed short- and long-term resources to support their work.

Reporting Timeline:  The group shall provide quarterly reports to the Selectboard and other reporting as may be necessary.

Establishment:  The Selectboard voted to create the Coastal Resiliency Task Force at their meeting on October 24, 2022; and the Selectboard voted on the above updated charge on February 13, 2023.