Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) Program

The Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness grant program (MVP) provides support for cities and towns in Massachusetts for planning for climate change resiliency and implementing identified priority projects. The state awards communities with funding to complete vulnerability assessments and develop action-oriented resiliency plans. Communities who complete the MVP program become certified as an MVP community and are eligible for MVP Action grant funding and other opportunities. 

Manchester received an MVP Planning Grant in 2018 to support the public outreach, interviews, workshops and resulting reports. A number of Manchester residents participated in workshops (held in March of 2018) to discuss and identify the biggest climate change threats to the town and potential actions that should be taken. 

The Town hired Barbara Warren, Executive Director of Salem Sound Coastwatch to conduct the workshops and create the follow-up reports (see below). Subsequently, the town was designated as an official MVP Community by the state. This make Manchester eligible for funds offered under the MVP Action Grants program to carry out the resiliency actions identified through the MVP planning process. 

Manchester was awarded an MVP Action Grant in 2018 which allowed the Town to complete the required studies and permit-level plans of the Central Pond restoration and the replacement of the failing pond walls. See the Sawmill Brook webpage for more information on this grant and the resulting report and plans. The Town will continue to be active in the MVP program to continue work on this project and others to make us more climate resilient.  

For more information on the MVP Program click on: Massachusetts Municipal Vulnerability Program. 

Manchester's MVP Reports can be downloaded here:

     Manchester MVP Report

       Attachment A (Flood Zone Expansion Map)

       Attachment B (Location of Community Assets)

       Attachment C (Extreme Precipitation and Storm Surge Map)

       Attachment D (FEMA Hazard Mitigation Plan - Vulnerability and Risk Assessment)