Longmeadow Select Board Adopts Hazard Mitigation Plan, Approves Solar Cash-Out

Select Board · Meeting of May 19, 2026

Longmeadow Select Board adopts long-delayed hazard mitigation plan and directs solar credit cash-out. The board voted unanimously at its May 19 meeting to adopt an updated hazard mitigation plan that had been in process for roughly four years, clearing the final requirement for the town to access a range of federal grants including the Land and Water Conservation Fund and the Federal Lands Access Program. Town Engineer Tim Keene said FEMA issued conditional approval on May 5 pending formal board adoption.

The board also unanimously directed Town Manager Lynn Simmons to request a cash-out of the town's accumulated solar credits from Eversource, bypassing a stalled effort with the state Department of Revenue; proceeds will flow into free cash for FY26 certification, with energy resiliency spending identified as a likely future use. The board endorsed the scope of a new town manager budget task force, which Simmons will lead personally, designed to begin difficult fiscal conversations well ahead of what she called a potentially unavoidable Proposition 2 1/2 override scenario, noting the school superintendent had already expressed eagerness to participate.

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Source: the Select Board meeting of May 19, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.