Town of Montague Invites Public Input on Hazard Mitigation Plan Update

Virtual Public Meeting and Draft Plan Review Offer Opportunities to Participate

The Town of Montague is inviting residents, business owners, and community members to help shape its updated Hazard Mitigation Plan—a critical document that identifies local risks from natural hazards and outlines strategies to reduce damage to people, property, infrastructure, and the environment.

Hazard examples include: flooding and precipiation; severe winter storms; average and extreme temperatures; wildfire/brushfires; hurricans/tropical storms; droughts; flooding from dam failure; tornadoes; hazmat; invasive species; landslides; and earthquakes

Proposed Mitigation Actions for Each Hazard found on pages 305-328 in draft Plan.

Community input is essential to ensuring the plan reflects local priorities and strengthens Montague’s long-term resilience. The Town is offering two opportunities for the public to get involved:

1. Attend the Virtual Public Meeting - Residents are encouraged to participate in an upcoming virtual public meeting to share their experiences, identify local hazard concerns, and suggest mitigation strategies.

Meeting Details:

• Date: Wednesday, April 29, 2026 (Past)
• Time: 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
• presentation slides, meeting posting

Participants will discuss risks such as flooding, severe storms, high winds, and other natural hazards, and help guide the Town’s future mitigation efforts.

2. Review the Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan - The draft Hazard Mitigation Plan Update will be available for public review and comment.

• Public Review Period: May 12, 2026 – May 26, 2026
• Access the Draft Plan:
  • Online: Click HERE to access the full draft Plan. Click HERE to access the Executive Summary
  • In Person: Hard copies available at the Planning Department Office and all Montague public libraries during regular hours

Community feedback will be incorporated before the plan is finalized.

The Hazard Mitigation Plan is being developed by the Town’s Hazard Mitigation Planning Committee (HMPC) and must be approved by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and formally adopted by the Town. FEMA approval ensures continued eligibility for important pre- and post-disaster hazard mitigation grant funding.

“Public input is a vital part of this process,” said Maureen Pollock, Director of Planning & Conservation. “We encourage all residents to participate and help us build a safer, more resilient Montague.”

Whether attending the meeting or reviewing the draft plan, community members play an important role in shaping a plan that addresses current and future risks, including those related to climate change.

For more information about the Hazard Mitigation Plan Update, the public meeting, or the draft plan review, please contact Planning Director Maureen Pollock at 413-863-3200 x112 or mpollock@montague-ma.gov.

Posted: to Planning Department on Tue, Apr 21, 2026
Updated: Mon, May 11, 2026