1971 FEDERAL FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM APPLICATION FORM _'" I -
ate• A
L 1pA •... A'��� Agawam, Massachusetts•
December 22, 1971
Air, George K. Bernstein
Federal Insurance Administrator
U.- S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development
451 7th Street, S.W. Re: Federal Flood
Washington, D. C. 2041.0 - Insurance Program
Dear Mr. Bernstein:
Enclosed, herewith, please .find an application from the
Toi•m of Agawam, Nassachusetts, for participation in the Federal
Flood Insurance Program.
During past floods, residents of Agavram have suffered
heavy property damage. The availability of .flood insurance
Ysould certainly be of great benefit to our citizens and
would undoubtedly contribute to their peace of mind.
Your favorable action on our application ,rill be greatly
appreciated. `
Very truly yours,
Joseph Della Guistina
Chairman, Board of Selectmen
4.
JD:mp
t
Off:A�''q
�po�ATE � Agawam, Massachusetts'
December 22, 1971
t.ir. -George K. Bernstein
Federal Insurance Administrator
U.- S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development
451 7th Street, S.W. Re: Federal Flood
Washington, D. C. 20410 - Insurance Program
Dear Mr. Bernstein:
Enclosed, herewith, please find an application from the
Town of ='Zawan, ?Massachusetts, for participation in the Federal
Flood Insurance Program.
During past floods, residents of Agawam have suffered
heavy property damage. The availability of flood insurance
would certainly be of great benefit to our .citizens and
would undoubtedly contribute to their peace of mind.
Your favorable action on our application grill be greatly
appreciated.
Very truly yours,
Joseph Della Guistina
Chairman, Board of Selectmen
JD:mp
o. r� cEERK- OFFICE I �I
Sec. 20- 62 ?ur-Doses pp
The Flood Plain Zone and the .O,, ..5111.90 Jen have been established
for the following purposes:
To protect and preserve the water courses and their adjoining flood
plain; to reduce the hazards of floods upon the public health, safety and
general welfare; to protect flood plain occupants from a flood that is or
may be caused by their own land use and that is or may be undertaken without
full realization of the dangers therein; to protect the public from the
burden of extraordinary financial expenditures for flood control and relief;
to protect the capacity of flood plain to absorb transmit and store runoff;
to assure reten t:.Qn of sufficient floodway area to convey flows which can
reasonably be expected to occur.
Sec. 20-63 Location of Flood Plain
All land delineated on the map_ c-on5isting of two pages entitled "Flood
Insurance Rate Mao Town of aw�mn assachus �. ,sue�ia�oden�County, Effective
e ruar.7 1., 19?S", as zone A.11 zone A-13� zone A-16, Zone A, Zone A-2,-'and
Zone B be included ih the flood pplain zone. This map is part of the F1a6d`
"Insurance Study made for the Town of Agawam by i3. 5. Dept.pf-Housing'and
roan Develo rent - Federal Insurance Administration. This Flood Xneuiranc �e--Sdy,
ated February 1, 1978,_ with its accompanying Flood Insurance Rate'Maps and
ao oundary aid FloodwayMaps and-any revision thereto are hereby adopted.
y reference and declared to be a part of this ordinance_ In general term-s
t e F ood Plain Zone is that land adjacent i=o the Westfield`River, Connecticut`
aver and its tributaries and Still Brook which lie at or below t e e`vation
o the base flood I00 ear flood as-determined- in iEhe F3 ood Insurance Study.
The Flood Plain Zone shall be Conside.red_to-be superimposed over other zones
shown on the zoning map, as a recognition of the-.special_hazards which exist
in sic-_� �
In Zone A areas where base flood elevation data is not provided by the
Flood Insurance Stud th ble-data_fnom Federal,_Stae or other sources
shall be utilized as bas's--of-de-termiiningthe_base-floodIevel far zxr ores of
enforcing the provision of this ordinance.
Sec. 20_64 Permitted uses T
In those portions of the Town so designated in paragraph 20_63 the following
uses of land shall be permitted provided all necessary State of Federal Permits J
are obtained:
(1) Conservation of water, plants and wild life.
(2) Legally permitted outdoor recreation not requiring development or
landscape alteration in conflict with the purpose of this zone.
(3) Grazing, forestry and other farms or agriculture consistent with the
purposes of the zone. J
(4) Dwellings lawfully existing prior to the adoption of these provisions,
however no building permits for substantial ikoroveuents or extensions shall be
granted unless a Special Permit is granted by the Board of Appeals.
(5) Proper operation and maintenance of damns and other water control devices.
(6) Construction and maintenance of high»ay sJ streets sidewalks, sewers,
water mains, storm drains utilities and related facilities by governmental
agencies providing that the water and sewer sj s emus and utilities be designdd and
constructed to minimize flood damage end to minimize or eliminate infiltration of
f ood water into the s sterns and discharges from the systems into flood waters.
e
(7) The follo-"-Lng uses b _s2ecial per+nit as_p p_v,d d by Sec. 2ri-66 if
determined to be consistent with the purposes_of_this zone,_ aid determination to
be ma a by the Board of A_ppg.alA--rollowing_application for a special permit, by
the landowner or owners:
(a) Devel?ped recreation facilities except buildings.
(b) Utility lines and facilities.
(c) Dams and other water control facilities if in an authorized
plan by public agency or if built to create ponds for recreational or agricultural
use.
. (d) Minor buildings incidental to permitted flood control, recreation,
agricultural, etc. uses, a_rd not exceeding 200 square feet in ground coverage, is
constructed so as to not obstruct natural hydrological features and provided the
requirements of section 20-6A 7 Xe) relative to the elevation of the base flood
are met.
(e) In the floodwa fringe-, the numbered A zones Zone A, and Zone B,
that portion of the Flood Plain Zone outside the floodway the development of
s ructures for residential use only if the lowest floor (including basement) is
e evace o or above the ley e�.�L-the base. flood_(100_year_f.ioad}_arad the'
development of structures for non-residential use onlX if the lowest floor
Inc u asement is elevated t -rabove_the_level.of the base flood _(1.00
year flood or together with the attending .uti.li.ty.__and sanitary facilities is
flood proofed to or above the level of the base flood 100 year flood provided
a special permit is issued b t,�he-3oazri_of-Appeals.—.Tbe term"Floodorocgfed"sha_shall
mean waterti h_t —Vh—walls ubstantially_impermeable-to._the passage .of-water-and-with
structural components havin the capability of resisting hydrostatic and hydro-
dynamic loads and effects of buoyancy
Sec. 20-65 Prohibited uses.
' In those portions of the Town so specified in Section 20-63 as Flood Plain,
the following uses of land shall be prohibited:
(1) The bulk storage of bouyant, flawnable, explosive or toxic materials.
(2) The addition, removal, or transfer of such quantities of material,
including trees, shrubs, and ground cover, that would reduce the water storage
capacity of the flood plain, obstruct the flow of flood waters in a floodway,
or otherwise adversely affect the natural hydrology of the area to the extent
4 that the base flood elevation would be raised cumulatively more than one foot.
(3) The digging or drilling of a well intended as a source of domiestic
+ water.
(4) The installation of septic tank or leaching fields or on-sl waste
E disposal_syste_ms.
(5) The placement or location of a mobile home or the creation of mobile
home parks or subdivisions.
In land within the floodway the�folloing uses of land shall be prohibited
in addition to those listed above:
(a) _Any development within the portions of Town so specified as
Floodway on the Flood Boundary and Floodway Map.
(b) Erection construction or other creation or installation of
any building, dam or other structure.
(c) No use or structure which would result in any increase in flood
levels durin the base flood discharge. -'�
Cec 2")_56• a=arc of .knee? i s
2')-66.1_ If any land in the Flood Plain as defined in Section 27_63 is found
b the gored of Appfals not in fact to be at or below the '.evel of the��e
flood (1`J7 ear flood not t�Q Tsui'able because of d:ainage _conditions,
�, if trie roposed action is not inconsistent~with the purpose of this Bylaw,
o, ant=-after a p?iblicl,earing x�th" due notice,_ a-
ttegoard of .-►PPe'].s n,ay €r ,_
special p-rmit for t e use or�eveTopr,pnt of such land and for the-c.or.struction
and erection Ora b�'�'�ng' or s ruc ure or any purpose permitted in the
underlying district su Jec o reasonable conditions and safeguards: Any action
tie Soar of .P ap aP 15$ xi—r'oti b6 cons�.a-red'-}a of feet insurance determination
v�r rates.
20-66. 2 The application for a special permit shall include a plan prepared
and certified by a professional engineer or land surveyor, registered in the
Co!%q,on,;realth of lda_Pachuraads, xahss plan
drair�will
e faQilitiesw all roandelanddcapeexisting
buildings. structur..s, Y €
features (including Wetlands, trees, and the like) and other engineering and
hydrological data the Board finds necessary. The plan will . show all existing
and proposed finished ground contours at one foot intervals.
20-66.3 The application for a Special Perirdt shall also include an environ_
r Yntai impact staten,,-nt prepared by an environmentally qualified registered
prvrassiaral engineer. This statement will describe the impact upon the
ur, ,sy�ical environment of the proposed use.
2D-66. k The Board of Appeals may waive the requirements of paragraph .3 if
�e �s that the probable ismoact upon the physical environment of the
It de 01em`ne
propYSPd use is to be minimal and that environmental impact statement is not
its consideration of the application.
necessary t-Duse
20_66. 5 The applicant shall provide the ?Board with an origirial and seven
copies of the request quest and of a"ny plan and/or environmental intact statement
- under paragraphs 2 and 3 above. 'one Board of ri_peals shall within
re; - of each to the Building Inspector, PIP-ining
seven days fort•.ard one copy
3oa*•d, Boar ;
d of wealth, and Conservation Co:�ssion. These agencies may
written recommendations with the Board of Appeals within thieLy days
vile of notification. The Board of Appeals shall not grant approval
Of :p ritt
of an auplication for a Special Permit until these recomaendatiors have
been received or until expiration of }ne said thirty day period.
20-66. 5.1 on such request, the Board of Appeals shall consider_all
Z Da�-"�ln pa_� �Z�nt fcCLOI'8. s.andards specified .in -other
technical evaluations. _
of this or-�nance an
sections r, terials is.,y b_ wept onto other land;-- to the injury
(a� ne carper th�� _
Of others; .
�b� f Vie; to life and property d-e to flooding or erosion damage
c the susceptibility of�e proPD-acility an its co tents to flood
�h, efae P rst of suc.ca�Zs on t. e 2ndlvic?:=1 Q:ner;
end
CarL�e = --- --(d) the in,Port�ce -
a of 4 ee Services pr3±tided by the proposed facility to
-
the co�r�7url;.y;
t e necessityr f,0 the facil...ity of ?:rt,er"rQrt locaticn, �,�ere applicable;
o
} ;allabil�ty Of aerie iG\l =�catl+cti or!s, nOi s'1 ;?C t.o flood"-"6 O�'
erosion �,- for clip p�>�d use;c-=.-ge►
i o
CQ3s�Ht 1C'1lit.y Or tnF nolze.'. . se 4th e?_Zsting and an`!cipated
a� t.. — --
e .a pgneni.s_ .
/h �};a slat=3nshilp of the i T0-r0sc--' •wee to the C7 �"e::n'.V="p Dian and
1 J pod plain �r?ge•4n pragra a=_ at a,ea;
M the safety of access to the property in times of flood for ordinary
and emer ency ve ac es,
the expected heigr,ts, velocity, duration, rate of rise
the
tra.�sport of--th,e loud ; ers and tie efSeci s of wave_actio_n,'-_if
a�,pxzcable, exppcte a e situ_ ! T
(k) the costs of arovidi g go ernmental' services during and after flood
conditions inc1l n�ma'-ntenance and—repair of public utilities and
facilities suc s as sewer, gas, e rical, and water sy_ tems,_pnd
streets and-'Ur3-cges.
2D-66. 6. The Board of Appeals may issue a permit under this- Section if it
finds that'
The propcsed use of the premises will not endanger the health and safety
of the occupants of land +4thin the flood plain or the public, or it may issue
a permit -with such conditions as it deems necessary to protect health and
safety of the occupants and the public or provide proper flood control or ,
protection,
or it may deny the application. The burden of showing that the
ment wall not endanger health and safety and that it 'will be
proposed develop
appropriat -
use of the land. shall rest upon -the developer, who shall pro-
anvide such additional engineering and hydrological data as the Board of Appeals
deems necessary. The Board shall, as .a condition of.approval, require that
effective notice be given to prospective-. purchasers or' existing landonmers by
signs, notation on .plans and permits, or otherwise, of past flooding of said
dertaken by the• petitioner or his successor in title
premises, and the steps un
to alleviate t'le effects of the save. ,
the generality of the foregoing, the Bcard shall
20_55.7- 'Without lirrstirg
.nsure:
(a) That new construction or substantial improvements of residential
structures within the d'lcod plain zone will have the 1OWe5t floor. (including
} elevated or above the level of the 100 year flood.
basemen L) i t b 7 e o f n .- t. .
(b) That ..^.ew construction o_ su�st_nti_1 improv, r. nts o_ no-._,esi,;eptial
structures anfenced for human occupancy or employ^--ant, excluding open',aalledd
shslters for temporary use by outdoor recreationalists, within the flood plain
gone will have the. lowest floor (including basement) elevated to or above the
level .Of the 100 Year flood or, tobether ,,ith attendant utility and sanitary
r defined
be rioodproc.ea gas d _Wed in sec_ 20_ up to the level q;' -he
__ -
facilities ,v r� - -
{ 7 '.there flo-Drool is utl wZ� O particular struct'are the
i.3 year oo Od- s f rn is. a z Fr
aCMrd shall reouire!cert�._ication from a _g_sLe ed ng,ne__ or arthztect of
frog and o_ e�lP� =t'io^:�o woic�i `. struct::re is :lco?oroofed.
jhe fl ood✓ro0 dye -:uC:r -,-re Pci a ~fz'JO v�3
j e in flood '_e e: d � t'�
.1� -esul+ i any- r]C?2a_ Co _s b e base flood disch&rge.
,..,h c.^.(���- r1O„ f�11 rJ e ]^ D?^_ IIieL''S with t o Ceci€;��oC T;�,cd y shallbe
l _ lr its aL.�d?i:.; to car- and di s-ha. the ,wale-5
tterY t r)St Would I:,,,a
"P yT•� f the 1 J �pGw I IJ�.:, /.rp�:r f,1pr? ....Je ef- J 1 fl o'd heients
o S1.1ting of'
:. by SLrea1L ir5prOV":TMent S- 1
is _full' all other neceSsa:'Y Per;7's for "e op3sed :eyelop-,nt, (a5
(e) �'hta
21-2� �taye beep -}:�;"i�, _��� ::;cerTcnc-'-1,S�cte ar local
yn{ at? _i] K?{ r 's:.ilC;A -i'�"
a+1C:P5 fry, -
t comxunities 'and the Eassachusetts Dept. of Environmental
ng
That adjacen
Quantity Eng�ee ace Division of Water Resources are notified prior to any
alteration or relocation of a watercourse, and that evidence of such notifications
is Submitted to the Federal Insurance�Administration, and that the flood carrying
capacity thin the altered or relocated portion of any water course is ceintained.
(g) That new construction (including prefabricated buildings) and substantial
improvementscai be anchored to present flot.ation and laterial movement, and be
i improvements
;rith flood resistant Lerials and cethods.
constructed proe
(h) That new or replacement water supply systems and/or sanitary se-rcrage
systenLs to be located in the flood plain zone 5hal1 be designed to minimize or
eliminate 'Mfiltration of flood waters into the systems and discbar es from the
systems into flood waters.
Sec. 2^-27- C-e-::era? Stipulati=s.
20-67.1. A subdivision, filed with the Planning 'Board u- de: Chapter 41 of the
General La,-.s of Massachusetts, shall meet the 'Rules and Regulations of the
Planni-'g Board as they apply to Plcod Plain zanagement. The subdivision as
=pPro-red by the Planning Board �y be cor._ide:ed a single application',ahen
submitted to the Board of Appeals under this ordinance. (The action of the
Planning Board small in no way limit the �_U�ard of Appeals in their decision
and setting of conditions).
2)-b .2. o{ _
? liPv con zi.^.ed in this
m order-� P c�.?11 14-ma 4 the authority of
the 3oard of Health ti th _espect to pre_i_=es in the Flood Plain zone or affect
the applicability of the building code to any building in the Flood Plain zone.
20-67-3. A building perm:.t issued by the 3uiiding Inspector before the
effective date of this ordinance shall `'e dee-ed to be a permit hereunder .
20-67.4. Any plans or applications submitted to any Board, Agent, or Author-
ity of the Town which concerns land within the Flood Plain snall' be noted:
"This proposal is for sand -which lies in the Flood Plain and meets the require-
ments of the Flood Plain Ordinance".
Any existing dor"conforuang uses or structures in the designated
fioodway shall not be substantially imnrotied but may be modified, altered,
repaired, or reconstructed, subject to Tegulations pertaining to nonconforming
uses, to incorporate floodproofing measures, provided such measures or such
modification, alteration, repair, or reconstruction do not raise the level of
the 1,03 year flood at any point.
20-67.6. No new construction, alteration, or extension of structures for
human occupancy as permitted under Section 20-66 shall be allowed beyond the
foundation, stage, until the elevation of the lowest floor (including base6Rnt)
has been checked and certified in writing to the Building Inspector as being
the elevation as stated on the approved plans or higher. All final grades
or any change in topography shall be checked and certified in writing as being
according to the approved plans. Inspection and certification shall be :Wade
by a registered professional engineer or land surveyor. All costs incurred
under this section shall be borne by the applicant, Records of these elevations
and certifications shall be maintained in the office of the Building Inspector
and s a be o en to public inspection. -� r____�___•_�______ T
20-67.7. Records of the certification of the flood proofing of non-residential
structures as recuired in sec. 20_�6�?1b� s:�all be sra_intain_ed in the off of
the building Inspector and^shall be open to public inspection, -
20-67.8. Where interpretation is needed as to the exact location of the
boundaries t e flood lain cons for example -where there- appears to be a conflict
bet•,:eea a mapped• boundary a d?etujal_jield conditions the Torn Bngiraer s a
rake the necessary interpretation.
Sec-. -20-58. Per for-mince Guarantee.
The completion of all earth work not banded or covenanted urder :Chapter 4-1
of the General Laws of Massachusetts shall be guaranteed with the Town of kV acr.
by securities or bond as required by the To•�n prior to coam.encement by any
earth work. I -
Sec. 2_07. Gt-neral Stirulau ^s.
20-67.1. A subdivision, filed with the Planning Board under Chapter hl of the
General Laws of Massachusetts, mall cieet the Rules and Regulations of the
Planning Beard as they apply to Flood Plain z-anagement. The subdivision as
approved. by the Planning Board may be considered a single application' when
submitted to the Board of Appeals finder this ordinance. ('the action of the
Planning Board shall in no way limit the ?va;d of Appeals in their decision
and setting of conditions).
2')-67.2. Not:nirgr contained in Uii5 orc-:a- ca _�?I1 liaii the ?uthority of
the Board of Health Frith -respect to preen-=e � J �
s n one Flood Pain zone or affect
the applicability of the building code to any building in the Flood Plain zone.
20-67.3. A building permit issued by the 3uildin-g inspector before the
effective date of this ordinance shall be dee-ed to be a permit heresy-der .
20-67.4. Any plans or applications submitted to any Board, Agent, or Author-
ity of the To,,rn which concerns land within the Flood Plain shall be noted:
"This proposal is for land which lies in the Flood Plain and meats the require-
ments of the Flood Plain Ordinance".
20-67. ;. Any existing nocconforcing uses or structures in the designated
floodw3y shad not be substantially improyed but may be modified, altered,
repaired, or reconstructed, subject to regulations pertaining to nonconforisng
uses, to incorporate floodproofing measures, provided such measures or such
modification, alteration, repair, or reconst raction do not raise the level of
the 100 year flood at any point.
20-67.6. No new construction, alteration, or extension of structures for
hurr-n occupancy as permitted under Section 27-66 shall be allowed beyond the
foundation stage, until the e?ev-stion of the lowest floor (including basement)
has been checked and certified in writing to the Building Inspector as being
the elevation as stated on the approved plans or higher. All final grades
or any change in topography shall be checked and certified in writing as being
according to the approved plans. Inspection and certification shall be ;lade
by a registered professional engineer or land surveyor. All costs incurred
under this section shall be borne by the applicant, Recirds of these elevations
_ and certifications shall be maintained in the office of the Building Inspector
and shall be open,to ublic ins _ction. - ---_...._ �_ .-. _.... _--_-- --•-_---_ � ._ __. .
2a-67.7. records of the certification of the floodproofi_ng of rron-residential
structures as recuired in sec b) shall be maintained in the office of
the Building Inspector and shall be open to public inspection,
20-67.8. Where interpretation is needed as to the exact location of the
bo, ndaries the flood plain zone for example 4bere there appears to be a conflict
betxeen a na ped�bourdar�a_nd actua,1field conditions) the Town Engiraer s a7T"
---_— _._-._. -
make the ne:essai-y interpretation.
Sec. •20-6s. Perfor-mince Guarantee. "
The completion of all earth work net bonded or covznarted lLrder ;Char, !+i
of the General Laws of gassachusetts shall be guaranteed with the Tu-4n of Agawam
by securities or bond as required ty the To•-rn prior to co::::pncement by any
earth work.
Sec . 20-6 . Severabilit�.
• The invalidity of any section or provision of this Ordinance
for the regulation of the Flood Plain shall not invalidate any
other section or provision hereof.
Sec. 20— 0. Reserved
Sec. 20— 1. Reserved.
_ I
I
I
1
TO BE ADDED TO SECTION 20-2
t _
Sec. 20-2 Definitions
Base Flood: The flood having a one percent chance of being equaled or exceeded
in any given year. Also, referred to as the 100 year flood.
Development: Any man-made change to improved or unimproved real estate, including
but not limited to buildings or other structures, mining, dredging,
filling, grading, paving, excavation or drilling operations.
Flood insurance Stud :
The official report provided by the Federal Insurance Administration.
The report contains flood profiles, as well as the Flood
Boundary and Floodway Map, the Flood Insurance Rate Map, and the
water surface elevation of the base flood.
Mobile Horne: A structure, transportable in one or more sections, which is- built on
a permanent chassis and designed to be used with or Kd thout a
permanent foundation r,hen -connected to the required utilities. It
does not include recreational vehicles or travel trailers.
TO REPLACE EXISTING DEFINITION
Section 20-2 Definitions
Flood or Floodin : A general and temporary condition of partial or complete
inundation of normally dry land areas from:
(1) The overflow of inland or tidal waters
(2) The unusual and rapid accumulation or runoff of surface
waters from any source
Floodway The channel of a river or other watercourse and the adjacent land
areas that crust be reserved in order to discharge the base flood
without cumulatively increasing the water surface elevation more
than one foot.
Floodkay Fringe: The land in the flood plain within a community subject to a
one percent or greater chance of flooding in a given year
that is located outside of the Floodway.
r
AXENDKENTS TO SUBDIVISION RULES & REGULATION'01
TO BE ADDED TO PREAMBLE-END OF 2nd PARAGRAPH
The purpose of these rules and regulations is to assure that subdivision
proposals and proposals for other developwants, including their utilities
and drainage are located and designed to be consistent with the need to
minimize flood damage:
TO REPLACE RULE #1
1. The finish grade of land at all aide@ of any residential building shall be
iiet at an elevation above the base flood level an determined by the Planning
Board from the Flood Insurance Study,
TO REPLACE RULE #2
2. within that portion of the flood plain zone located in the floodway fringe
the total area may not be removed from the flood plain storage or be graded
in such a way to cause additional hazard to the remainder of the flood plain
areas. No more than one/thir4 of the total area Pay be regraded or filled.
Within the floodway, no tilling or regrading may be done.
TO REPLACE RULE *5
5• All plans and proposals reviewed by this Board which lie in the Flood Plain
Zone shall so be stamped or legally noted with the base flood elevation
indicated so that land owners and future occupants shall be aware of their
responsibilities. This notation shall be endorsed on Form Ala, ' Subdivision
Control Not Required", Sito Plans, as well as Form B/s "Subdivision Control@%
• preliminary and definitive plans.
TOWN OF AGAWAM
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
H TOWN ADMINISTRA71ON BUILDING•
AGAWAM, MASSACHUSETTS
�RAhD spy
December 23, 1971
Board of Selectmen
Agawam, Mass.
Gentlemen:
L5nclosed, herewith, please find one original and one
copy of the Application for Federal Flood Insurance which
we have prepared for your signatures.
Very truly yours,
John P. Stone,
Town Engineer
DEC 2 3 '71 AN
9^ `3
JPS:mp
Encis. S )FFIC£
DEC 2 3 '71 AM 0-7.7.
6
J'0VVN OF AGAWAM
FZEE AL FOOD INSURANGE PROGRAM S.U-CRAEN'S OFFICE
APPLICATION FROM
AGAWAM, MASSACHUSETTS
I. =PE-SSION OF INTr ST
(1) At a meeting of the Board of Selectmen held on December 20,
1971, .the following resolution was passed:
11hereas, portions of the Town of Agawam have been subject
to serious flooding in past years, and
i-Nereas, there is a definite need within the Ton of
Agawam, Massachusetts for flood insurance,
Now, Therefore, Be It Resolved that this Board hereby
specifically indicates its desire to participate in the
Federal Flood Insurance Program.
BOARD OF SEIECTMEN
Joseph Della Guistina, Chairman
Edt•rard id, Connelly, Clerk
Joseph Faucette
Witness for
All Three Signatures
(2) The Town of kgawamjis authorized to take action regulating land
. -use under the following State statutes:
a) Chapter .4OA of t-he Massachusetts General Laws which enables
municipalities to adopt zoning ordinances' or by—laws.
b) Chapter 41, Sections 81A to 81J of the Massachusetts General.
Laws which provides for municipal planning and the establish—
ment of municipal planning board.
c) Chapter 41,- Sections 81K to 81GG, of the Massachusetts General
Laws which enables municipalities to adopt subdivision regu- ;
latiors ordinances or by—laws.
' --
Under authority of these State statutes, the Town of Aga7aam has r
adopted Zoning By--Laws and Pules and Regulations Governing the
Subdivision of Land, copies of which may be found in the appendix
•of this application.
(3) Please find enclosed in the appendix of this application, copies
of the Zoning By—Laws of the Town of Agawam, the Pules and Res_ _
lations Governing the Subdivision of Land, ngawam, Massachusetts;
and-the Health Code of the -Town of Agawam. The Agawam Building
Inspector utilizes the Massachusetts Standard Basic Building Code
STD-10 in his work.
(4) Please find enclosed in•the appendix of this application, a map
of the Town of' Agawam, scale l" W 800' on .which .flood plain areas
have been delineated.
(5} Flood conditions have, at times, changed the course of the Conn—
ecticut River. The river, at one time, followed a bend to the
westward, just below School Street and this has left a depression
rihich follows the old bed. Much of the land between the old bed
and the present river bans: is flood prone and most of it was
covered by the 1936 flood. Flooding also occurred in This area
in 1938 and 1955 though to lesser extents.
Much of the residential area off River Road, lies below an eleva—
tion of 60 feet, including virtually the entire length of River
Road. This trill make it subject to a future flood of the 1936
proportions. ?decent correspondence frith the Co of F;ngirneers,
indicates that their Standard Project Flood (SPr as modified by
the existing reservoir system, would approximate elevation 62
feet at a location near River Road and South Florida Drive.
(6) We have enclosed, in the appendix of this application, a map of
Agawam which may be reproduced for publication. A letter from
the Town F;ngineer.granti.n; permission for this reproduction and
publication is also enclosed in the appendix.
(7) P.ot' Applicable
(8) We submit the follojring estimates of population, residences and
small businesses in the flood—prone area of Agawam:
•(i) A population of 2200
(U) 500 residence ranging in size from l to 4 family
(iii) 14 small businesses
(9) ''the flood insurance and flood hazard maps i-dI.l be made available
for public inopection at tho Agwwi= Town Hall, 36 Main Stroet,
_ _.. Agawam, Massachusetts 01001.
r
II. ASSUP-*ICES OF FUTURE C014PLIANCES
r
. At a meeting of the Board of Selectmen held on December 20, 1971,
the follo:•ring resolution ;•ras passed:
NrHE.US, certain areas of Agawam are subject to periodic flood—
ing from the Connecticut and Westfield Rivers causing serious damages
to residential properties within these areas; and
1.5alra^S, relief is available in the form of flood insurance as
authorized by the National Flood insurance Act of 1968 as amended; and
1,1H !LE .S, it, is the intent of this Board to comply with land use
and mangement criteria regulations as required in said act; and
livFOIIIEAS, it is also the intent of this Board to recognize and
duly evaluate flood hazards in all official actions relating to land
use in the flood plain areas having special flood hazards;. and
!,aE.aUS, the Code Citation of any State enabling legislation
and of any resulting county, city, ton or village ordinance that
authorizes this Torn to adopt land use and control measures are:
Chapter 40A and Chapter 1*1, Sections 81A to 81J and Sections
81K to 81C-G of the Massachusetts General. Lags and the Zoning,
By--Laws and the Rules and Regulations Governing the Sub—
division of Land, Agawam, h ssachusetts
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT EESOLVED, that this Board hereby assures
the Federal Insurance n dr.Wstra tion that it will take legislative
action as -follows:
(1) '?pact by December 31, 1971.7 and maintain in force for those
areas, adequate lard use and control measures with effective enforce—
ment provisions consistent i-rlth the criteria set forth' in Subpart A
of Section 1910 of the National r'lood Insurance Regulations; and
(2) if necessary, seek State enabling legislation conferring
authority to enact land use and control measures designed to reduce
the exposure of property to flood loss; and
(3) Take such- other official action as may be reasonably necessary
to carry out -the objectives of the program. Such actions ,•rill include
but not be limited to:
(a)' Assisting the Federal insurance Administrator, at' his
request, in delineating the limits of the flood plain having special
flood hazard on available local maps of sufficient scale to identify-
the location of the building sites.
(b) After flood insurance is made available, furnishing
representatives 'of the National Flood Insurers Association (also
appropriate Federal or State agencies, upon request) information
concerning new or substantially improved structures within the area
of special flood hazard. This information will include floor eleva—
tion: and, if there is a basement, the distance between the first,
floor and the bottom of the lowest opening , here water flowing or. .
the ground will enter.
d
(c) Cooperating with Federal., State and local agencies which
iundertake to study, survey, map and identify flood--prone areas as All
as cooperating i•rith neighboring-,j= Tisdictions with respect to adjoining
flood plains in order to prevent aggravation of the flooding problem.
(d) Providing the name of the individual and the office that
i-rill be responsible for furnishing the first floor elevation information.
BB IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Board hereby appoints The Town
Treasurer, David Gallano, frith the responsibility, authority and means
to implement the commitment made herein.
BOLD OF S=Cf,,
Joseph Delia Guistina, Chair man
Ldward W. Connelly, Clerk
Joseph Faucette
Vatness for
All Three Signatures
E'
r
A P P E N D I X
APPLICATION AS SUBMITTED CONTAINED COPIES OF THE
ZONING BY-LAWS, SUBDIVISION RULES & REGULATIONS AND HEALTH
CODE IN THIS APPENDIX.
•
A���� TOWN OF AGAWAM
DEPARTMENT� �.��
N PUBLIC WORKS
y '�cTn- ary' TOWN ADMINISTRATION BUILDING
AGAWAM, MASSACHUSETTS.
December 22, 1971
Mr. George K. Bernstein
Federal Insurance Administrator
U. S. Dept. of Housing Urban Development
451 7th Street, S.W.
Washington, D.C. ' 204-10
Dear Mr. Bernstein:
The Engineering Department hereby grants permission to
the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to
reproduce and publish its map of the To1•m of Agawam.
Very truly yours,
John P. Stone,
Town Engineer