Sixty People Will Gather Friday in the MWRA Meeting Room to Contemplate, Plan and Discuss Resiliency

Given previous and ongoing events like the January and March coastal storm events, like many other Massachusetts communities, Winthrop now finds itself in a new era of more unpredictable and severe weather that can potentially cause more damage to our community. Town officials are working on a planning project that is designed to help identify the strengths and vulnerabilities and list projects or programs that could the Town of Winthrop more resilient to natural hazards including coastal flooding and other weather related threats.

In addition to completed plans and assessments for hazard mitigation and critical infrastructure vulnerability, the town is currently working on a Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness project with assistance from the state and our engineering consultant. This will involve an eight-hour workshop, which must include input from community members like yourself.  This eight-hour workshop is required by the state.

The workshop objectives are as follows:

• Understand connections between natural hazards and local planning/mitigation efforts.
• Evaluate strengths and vulnerabilities of residents, infrastructure and natural resources.
• Develop and prioritize resilient actions for the municipality, local organizations, institutions, businesses, private citizens, neighborhoods and community groups.
• Identify immediate opportunities to advance actions that reduce the impact of hazards and increase resilience in Winthrop.

The workshop will be held on Friday, April 6, at the MWRA Training Room on Deer Island from 8 a.m. to about 4 or 4:30 p.m.. We will be providing breakfast and lunch to those who participate.  If you are interested Please contact the town manager’s office at (617) 846-1705 ortownmanageroffice@town.winthrop.ma.us to pre-register or to receive more information on this program.  Space is limited for this workshop.