Having a solid plan in place is the best way to handle natural disasters. At a recent Town Council meeting, Southern New Hampshire Planning Commission and members from the Planning Board presented an update to the Bedford Hazard Mitigation Plan.

The Bedford Hazard Mitigation Plan is a document updated every five years which examines threats to the town from natural disasters such as fires, flooding, nor’easters, etc., and how the town can be best prepared to deal with them. All towns in New Hampshire are mandated to create mitigation plans by FEMA.

“This isn’t a manual on what to do in the event of an emergency,” said Rick Sawyer, planning director, “but rather how to be better prepared if an event happens or how to mitigate the effects of an event.”

The full document, which can be found on the town’s Web site under the planning department, looks at all natural disasters that could most likely impact Bedford and how they have affected it in the past. It also reviews the most vulnerable parts of the town.

Also included are 16 strategies Bedford can undertake to better prepare itself over the next five years. Some include developing a bridge and culvert maintenance program so bridges and culverts will last longer and better withstand flooding.

One important strategy recommended is coordination between the school district and fire and police departments to determine the state of emergency shelters in the town and how to improve them.

“I’m very pleased with the product they’ve delivered,” said Russell Marcoux, town manager, at the meeting.

The plan is updated every five years. It was first implemented in 2004. The council approved the plan at the meeting.

Other business

The board also reviewed and allowed the continuation of grants to the town. One grant, the DWI Hunter Patrol grant, is given to the town by the New Hampshire Highway Safety Department and helps patrol officers in the town enforce drunk driving laws.

“This is an annual grant that we have applied for every year,” said Marcoux.

The board also approved the use of the capital reserve fund for rehabilitation of the town pool and approved appointments to the Bedford Village Common Development Committee and Dog Park Subcommittee.