BY MATT HERSH

Along with several other groups’ suggestions to improve Salem’s flooding problems, the town’s Flood Mitigation Action Committee has offered its own series of recommendations.

Community Development Director William Scott presented selectmen with the recommendations at their Monday, July 16, meeting, where officials supported them unanimously.

The group was formed after a group of about 85 citizens from the Haigh Avenue neighborhood petitioned the town in November to address flooding. Since that time, they have been working with Scott to develop a comprehensive approach to combat the town’s problems.

Scott said the committee’s recommendations are broken up into three categories – outreach and education, capital improvement development and homeowner aid.

Included in the outreach and education recommendations is a new Web site residents could view prior, during and after a storm for information about what is happening in town and what steps should be taken.

The site would direct residents to flooding-related resources including electricians, mold removal services and contractors.

An information telephone line would also be created that residents could call when other modes of communications are shut down or unavailable during an emergency situation.

“They could find out what streets are closed, where power is out, where emergency centers are and things of that nature,” Scott said.

Another key aspect of the plan is workshops designed to provide information about what to do in case of an emergency and to increase awareness about flooding issues.

The group also recommended preparing a three-year cleaning and repairs program to be included in the town’s capital improvement program (CIP).  This program would focus on cleaning catch basins, culverts and other drainage structures.

The CIP aspect of the committee’s proposal also includes studying the impact of development on flooding and establishing a strategy for flood storage.

The final part of the committee’s recommendations is geared toward creating a prioritized list of residential properties that are repeatedly flooded.  By doing so, each home could have a plan in place about how to act during a future flood.

Scott said by studying each property, the town would be in a better position to apply for grants from the state and federal governments.

Members of the Haigh Avenue community, who have been heavily flooded in the past, came out to support Scott’s presentation.

“We’ve been very lucky because we’ve had some great people volunteer,” said Norbert Pestana, vice chairman of the committee. “Our work isn’t finished but we’re ready to make these recommendations.”

Selectmen also praised the group’s work.

“I think the committee has done a great job in putting this together,” said Selectman Michael Lyons. “This is very effective.”