The board reviewed a draft warrant article to update Hubbardston’s floodplain zoning ahead of expected FEMA flood map changes and the state’s model floodplain bylaw.

Why it matters: Affected communities must adopt compliant bylaws to maintain participation in the National Flood Insurance Program and to conform with the state model floodplain bylaw. The board said the community is an affected community and must act before the new maps become effective.

Discussion and outcome
- Planner Alec and Land Use Clerk Leanne described two options: adopt the state model bylaw verbatim or retain the town’s tailored draft. DCR and FEMA reviewed the model; the town’s draft includes several provisions that are more restrictive than the model.
- Staff asked whether the board wanted to keep a local provision that extends the floodplain district a horizontal distance of 50 feet from any named or unnamed watercourse (section 13.2(3)). The DCR representative flagged that as a higher standard than the model; board members said they were unsure whether that extended clause had been actively enforced and recommended retaining the draft on the warrant and allowing town meeting to consider striking the more‑restrictive clause if desired.
- The board designated the building commissioner as the floodplain administrator for compliance and agreed staff would check with the conservation commission about who would receive notices for watercourse alterations (model requirement), since the town lacks a conservation agent on staff.

Next steps: The board left the draft on the warrant for the upcoming public hearing while staff prepares final edits and confirms local administrative designations.