Below is a press release from the Governor’s Office, with additional comments from Wilmington DPW Jamie Magaldi:
LEOMINSTER, MA — The Healey-Driscoll administration recently announced a landmark commitment of $52.4 million in grants dedicated to advancing climate resilience across Massachusetts. This significant investment is the largest in the history of the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) Program.
This year, the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) is providing an additional $7 million to help communities impacted by devastating inland flooding in 2023.
Wilmington received funding to complete the MVP action process. Specifically, Wilmington received a $321,560 grant to building the climate resilience of the Martins Brook floodway.
“Wilmington’s project is a regional approach to study a segment of Martins Brook encompassing both Wilmington and North Reading with the primary objectives of mitigating impact from flood events and reducing each community’s vulnerability to flood events that are occurring more frequently across the globe,” explains Wilmington DPW Director Jamie Magaldi. “This project is also a crucial step forward for replacement of a deteriorated culvert along Salem Street (Route 62) in Wilmington as it includes funding for design and permitting of this critical infrastructure facility.”
“This grant will provide a significant reduction in the Town’s 5-year capital plan as the current condition of the Salem Street culvert warrants action over this period for full replacement,” continued Magaldi. “Further, the regional approach of studying the Martins Brook Floodway upstream to Martins Pond will ensure that the Salem Street culvert will be redesigned with additional capacity needed to combat the effects of climate change and alleviate future flood events.”
Governor Maura Healey and EEA Secretary Rebecca Tepper made the grant announcements in Leominster, a community profoundly impacted by catastrophic flooding last September.
“We have seen the devastation caused by extreme weather and heard the calls for help. Today, we are continuing our promise to help communities in addressing last year’s challenges and taking proactive steps to reduce future climate risks,” said Governor Healey. “These grants are more than just financial support – they are a strong statement of our commitment to resilience. Our goal is to empower every community to adapt, thrive, and lead in the face of climate challenges.”
“As a former mayor, I’ve witnessed firsthand the challenges posed by climate change on our communities. These grants are crucial because they empower us to take proactive steps against future flooding and relieve the immense burden that climate change places on the shoulders of local leaders,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “By securing these funds, we ensure our community’s resilience and ability to thrive amidst environmental challenges. This initiative not only sets a powerful example for sustainable development but also underscores our collective responsibility in safeguarding our future and mitigating the economic impacts that would otherwise burden our municipality.”
The MVP Program combines local leadership and expertise with a significant investment of resources and funding from the state to tackle the ongoing impacts of climate change, such as inland flooding, more frequent and severe storms, rising sea levels, drought, and extreme temperatures. The MVP Action Grant will be used to carry out priority climate change adaptation measures identified through the MVP Planning process, or a similar climate change vulnerability assessment and action planning. A total of 71 projects have been awarded grants, including 62 for municipalities, seven for regional planning agencies, and two for tribes.
“Every year, our communities need more support dealing with climate change, especially when it comes to reducing flooding. We are going all in to provide every resource,” said Secretary Tepper. “We are committed to making serious investments in local projects, like enhancing stormwater systems and culverts. These upgrades are critical for bringing down flood risks and protecting the health and safety of Massachusetts residents.”
In April 2023, Governor Healey launched the pilot round of MVP Planning 2.0, which marks the next phase of the administration’s flagship program. This program supports communities in updating their climate change resiliency plans with a focus on environmental justice and other priority populations most impacted by climate change and helps in putting these plans into action. The next application for this program is expected to be announced later this year. MVP is a priority program of ResilientMass, the state’s initiative to reduce risk and build local resilience to climate change impacts.
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