Board to add FEMA-required floodplain language to site-plan regulations

A committee member told the planning board that state officials, acting through the agency that oversees floodplain zoning, completed an audit and identified mandatory language that must be added to Henniker's site-plan and subdivision regulations to remain in the FEMA program.

"You're in the FEMA program. You gotta participate. You gotta adopt whatever regulations the feds are saying," the committee member summarized, adding that the required language is straightforward and that the board must hold a public hearing before adoption. Members agreed to place the language on the agenda for the next meeting and to pursue a public hearing to keep the town in compliance and to maintain insurance eligibility.

Board members discussed practical questions about mapping and noted that updated flood maps are scheduled for release later in the fall; a member said remapping had been finished and maps would come out in months to follow. No regulatory text was adopted at the meeting; the board agreed to public hearing and formal adoption at a future meeting.

Next steps: required language will be placed on the next meeting agenda, a public hearing will be scheduled and staff will prepare draft regulatory text to meet FEMA requirements.