This week the town will file an appeal of the newest draft of the Federal Emergency Management Agency's flood insurance maps, Town Manager Neil Harrington said. The newest draft of the maps moved nearly all beach and river district property into high-risk flood zones; some properties had never been included in the map's flood and elevation zones previously.
The town hired a consultant to review the science behind FEMA's flood elevation projections. Although no scientific fault could be found with FEMA's beach area assumptions, deviations from FEMA's guidelines were found in FEMA's river flood map.
FEMA will have to review and respond to the town's appeal before the maps become official.
FEMA flood insurance maps impact the cost of flood insurance that many along waterfront areas must purchase to satisfy mortgage requirements. They can also restrict construction within high-risk flood areas.
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According to the latest newsletter issued by the state office of Coastal Zone Management, CZM is also in the process of reviewing scores of comments it received after releasing the draft of the Massachusetts Ocean Management Plan.
The plan was an attempt by the Legislature to develop a way to protect the state's marine resources while also finding places off the coast in state waters that could be developed into wind or tidal energy sites.
CZM suggested that an area 500 yards off Salisbury's popular beach might make a possible place for wind turbines in the future, something that town officials were both surprised to learn and had difficulty envisioning.
The waters off Salisbury Beach are busy recreational areas for boating and fishing, something wind turbines would not co-exist with well.
A number of people and town officials wrote to CZM to protest the plan's placement of turbines off Salisbury's coast.
According to CZM's newsletter, state officials "are reviewing the more than 100 comments received (on the plan as a whole) and will develop appropriate responses and changes to the draft plan."
The Oceans Act passed by the Legislature last session set a Dec. 31 deadline for the final development of the plan.
According to the newsletter, to receive periodic ocean plan updates, send an e-mail to join-env-oceanplan@listserv.state.ma.us.
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Whether it was baby ballerinas needing pink tights and tutus, gymnasts needing leotards or high-stepping Irish dancers needing shoes, The Stage on Bridge Road was the place to get the latest in dance wear and artistic costumes and accessories for more than 13 years. But the doors will close at The Stage at year's end.
"I had a dream to open a dance and costume store, and I have realized my dream and have loved watching it grow," said Cindy Ma. "It definitely has been a very rewarding and meaningful experience, but it's time to move on."
As a way of saying thank you to those who have faithfully patronized the store for more than a decade, Ma is offering a closing sale that will give discounts of 25 percent off everything currently in stock.
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Salisbury Triad will hold a workshop illustrating all the local programs that are in place to protect the town's senior citizens in their homes. The event takes place at Great Meadows, 23 Beach Road, at 2 p.m. on Jan. 13.
Salisbury seniors and their families can learn about the photo ID, Yellow Dot and Vial of Life programs, set up with the town's police, fire and emergency responders.
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Salisbury Public Library's Book Discussion Club will start the new year with the book entitled "Dark Tide," by Stephen Puleo. According to library director Terry Kyrios, this is a great nonfiction book about Boston's Great Molasses Flood that took place in 1919.
Club members will meet on Tuesday, Jan. 26, at 6 p.m. at the library to discuss the book, which is available at the library front desk. The club welcomes new members.
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Angeljean Chiaramida is the Salisbury reporter and can be reached via e-mail at achiaramida@newburyportnews.com or at 978-462-6666.
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