Southampton officials say MassTrails and FEMA grant work could advance greenway design and replace fire gear

Town Administrator Scott told the Select Board on June 23 that town staff are "about 99 and a half% sure" they have been included in MassTrails funding to complete the final design, engineering and permitting for the greenway; state staff led by an assistant secretary for environmental policy are expected to brief the board on July 28.

Scott and grants committee members also reported two FEMA Assistance to Firefighters grant applications filed with Chief Visi. One application is for a tanker pumper; board discussion referenced a purchase price figure and the town's customary 5% match. The other application seeks funding for 22 self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) units; Scott said the SCBA request was about $250,000 with the town share near $12,000.

The board voted to authorize a letter of support and to appoint the town administrator as the town's signatory for an open-space acquisition grant for a separate property (the "triple brick" parcel). That motion passed unanimously.

Members said a visit to a MassTrails meeting in Clinton and possible coordination with neighboring Westfield could bring state-level oversight and design work to the project, potentially relieving some local capacity pressure. No formal awards were signed at the meeting; staff said they will attend the Clinton meeting and report back.