Pick Your Top Community Priority for Chesterfield Survey

The Commonwealth has awarded Chesterfield’s MVP Program an additional $50,000, to be available on July 1, to fund a Seed Project for improving Chesterfield’s resilience to climate change. Over the past year, we have asked for and received many opinions from Chesterfield’s residents regarding how to respond to climate change. Surveys, citizen involvement in MVP meetings, and townwide educational forums have shared with us your range of preferences. However, for the Commonwealth to release the money on July 1 we must submit an application indicating our TOP priority project. The Seed Project choices are defined on this simple form.

All Projects will be completed within the 12-month limit and $50,000 budget allotted by the MA EEA Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) Program.

Directions: Please chose your TOP priority from the following 3 options on the following form. The completed form must be submitted by June 14.

Thanks for your help!

1.Please Pick One:

Community Resilience Hub: This MVP grant funded Seed Project proposes to create a Climate Resiliency Hub by renovating the Community Center, an existing community space that can serve as an important new resource during weather disasters. It will be done in collaboration with existing Community Center users. The Community Center has received many enhancements over the years. It has access to adjacent town-owned land, a large meeting room, 3 accessible bathrooms, a commercial kitchen, heating and cooling capabilities and is handicap accessible. It already serves the community as a meeting place and food distribution center. Of existing town buildings, it is the most efficient building to put money into for meeting community needs in climate-related disruptions and enhancing climate-related community engagement. Proposed enhancements include: 1) Determine the availability and volume of clean water for emergency situations. Improvements will be identified and implemented as budget allows. 2) Explore the possibility of installing a ground-mounted solar array and battery backup to allow the center to operate as a source of water and charging stations during power outages. One battery installed initially could meet some power needs during power outages. A solar array could potentially save the town money by eliminating monthly Community Center electric bills. 3) Strengthen community engagement through climate-related educational programs such as how to improve your home's climate resilience, protecting wells and septic systems during climate change, and working with local teachers and classes to explore climate resilience.

Culvert Condition Assessment: Improved culvert design and prioritized replacement can reduce the likelihood of road washouts and property damage, thus enhancing the overall resilience of the watershed to climate change. Replacement can be informed by comprehensive culvert assessment. The proposed project is the first step by mapping the location of every culvert in town, doing an assessment of every culvert using a standardized analysis tool, placing the data into a GIS database, and developing a culvert prioritization plan. Included in the database for each culvert are the costs associated with regular maintenance and ordinary repair, and potentially to catastrophic repair where the roadway has been damaged or destroyed by failure. The project will also include community educational meetings, opportunities for residents to lean about how to assess culverts, and “roadside education & interviews” on culverts. Identifying undersized or poorly functioning culverts will help mitigate flood risks that threaten Chesterfield infrastructure and residences.

Natural Springs as Drinking Water Supplies: Historically, there was a spring alongside North Road that supplied water to the town. Other springs have been located on West Chesterfield Hill on Main Road and on East Street. One potential effect of climate change in Chesterfield is more frequent and heavier rainstorms and snowstorms. Already happens, when storms occur, there are frequent and sometimes prolonged power outages often due to trees taking down power lines. This problem is likely to worsen. People in Chesterfield rely on their own wells and electric pumps. The goal of this project is to establish a potable water source that is independent of electricity and always available. In preparation for larger grants later for developing spring water sources, this project will: 1) Identify one or more springs in town that could potentially be used as a public water source. Explore the viability of obtaining easements from property owners to gain access to the springs; 2) Hire professionals to evaluate some aspects of these water sources, such as flow, that the DEP would need to know for an application for designation as a public water source; 3) Evaluate piping and water storage to determine what would be needed for DEP approval; 4) Identify what structures, and their costs, would be needed to protect these water sources5) Determine the ongoing cost to maintain such a water source (e.g. Testing); 6) Water-related education would be provided emphasize the importance of private well maintenance and water testing.