Northbridge Community Snapshot

Northbridge was part of the MVP 2.0 pilot program and worked on a Seed Project to flood resilience. They have also completed two MVP Action Grants focused on green infrastructure.

Overview

Northbridge is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, in the central part of the state. They have a population of 16,455 people and an area of 17.3 square miles. Climate hazards present in Northbridge include inland flooding, severe winter storms, drought, and wildfires.

Northbridge Core Team

The MVP 2.0 Core team is a group of municipal staff and Community Liaisons who work together to identify local climate resilience priorities and implement a project that supports those priorities.

Northbridge's Community Liaisons include representation from: 

• People experiencing food insecurity
• Seniors
• The recovery community
• Spanish speakers
• Low-income residents
• Individuals with native population connections
• Youth

Northbridge Community Resilience Priorities

Community resilience priorities are practical actions created during the MVP 2.0 Planning Grant process. They were shaped through community input, thoughtful discussion about changing local needs, and feedback from Environmental Justice groups and other community members.

Northbridge, in partnership with their Core Team, identified the following priorities through the MVP 2.0 process.

Priorities	Potential Actions
Priority 1: Improve Flood Resilience, especially around areas / neighborhoods around Mumford.		Potential Actions:  Analyze/document causes of flooding in these areas (drainage infrastructure obstructions and/or insufficient flood storage. (Upton Stream and Spring Street stream) Enhance/Purchase unused properties along major waterways that have the potential to provide increased flood storage (MVP grants, CPC funds, Land Grants). Develop access and trails so these lands can be used for passive recreation. (Rockdale Village Dam, Riverdale Dam, Arcade Pond, School St that connects with conservation area). For example, the town owns .7 miles of riverfront – opportunities to excavate to river level and provide opportunities for flood storage. Also, it can be a space for educational opportunities to connect the community with the river and be used for boat/ canoes/ kayak launch area. Opportunity to purchase property next to Arcade Pond and create flood storage and water access. Design, permit and construct flood storage compensation on these properties (MVP grants). Review and proceed with opportunities for dam removal.  For example, adapt the parking lot at the Middle School, next to the Mumford River. Obtain funding (DER Culvert Replacement grants, DPW budget increase) to remove and replace undersized drainage infrastructure with pipes, culverts and catch basins that can pass higher intensity rainfall events. For example, culvert under the Providence Rd, next to the Rockdale Mill. Similar opportunities can be identified across the watershed of the Mumford River. Incorporate low-impact development (LID) measures to reduce heat island impacts in town and deal with stormwater mitigation issues. Investigate the best way to mitigate flooding and protect pump stations and other sewer infrastructure. Consider physical infrastructure upgrades, such as flood walls and other barriers. Increase the level of monitoring of pump stations and other sewer and water infrastructure during extreme weather events. Improve the town’s ability to monitor this infrastructure and alert town staff if there is an issue.
Priority 2:  Manage and eradicate invasive species on waterways, lakes, ponds, and open spaces.		Potential Actions:  Develop and distribute outreach materials for residents (include listing/pictures of invasive plants, do not plant list and eradication techniques) Develop/implement invasive plant species eradication/control procedures on Conservation Lands Develop/implement annual aquatic plant removal program for the Mumford River. (Linwood Pond – work with Golf Course and schools to establish a maintenance plan) Assess and implement aquatic plant/algal control measures in nutrient sensitive ponds (Riley Pond and Arcade Pond). Work with the Golf Course – better maintenance practices Improve the water access for recreation purposes - canoeing
Priority 3: Expand and increase programs that could provide healthy food for low-income residents.		Potential Actions:  Work with the local Safety Committee to develop an Emergency Evacuation Plan Create education/ awareness strategy to build awareness and connect the community (especially the vulnerable populations) about the plan, networks/ systems, available resources. Create strategies to make the public aware about air quality and build community capacity to mitigate effects. Develop / work with managers at Senior centers to develop evacuation drills.

Northbridge's MVP 2.0 Seed Project: Water Storage and Flood Plain Management

Northbridge received funding to implement a Seed Project that addresses one or more of their climate resilience priorities.

Northbridge plans to enhance overall flood resilience through nature-based solutions, utilizing river-edge and floodplain management. This project also includes creating a dock for river access to foster river connectivity as well as community-based programming to aid in invasive plant removal through volunteerism

The activities of this project include:

1. Assess feasibility of identified project site through review of land ownership and zoning, environmental and engineering assessments, regulatory and permitting compliance and determination of alignment with municipal priorities and community needs.
2. Modification of public space through construction of docks.
3. Sustainment of community involvement through kick off events, partnership with schools, youth groups and seniors.   
4. Recruitment of volunteers for invasive species management.
5. Adoption of guidelines for invasive species control.

Northbridge's Action Grant Projects

The MVP Action Grant provides funding to communities that want to take important steps to prepare for climate change, such as dealing with extreme weather, flooding, rising sea levels, and extreme heat. 

Carpenter Road Causeway Alternatives Analysis and Source Water Green Infrastructure Protection Plan (FY22)

This project looks to protect water quality and improve the resilience of drinking water supplies servicing two communities. By creating a long-term plan for the use of green infrastructure and the evaluation of climate resilient alternatives for key infrastructure in need of repair or replacement, this project will improve the resilience of a vital public water supply. Read this projects MVP Case Study.

Flood Resilience and Water Quality Protection Through Better Causeway and Green Infrastructure Design (FY24)

This project advanced designs (25%) of the community selected alternative for Carpenter Road Causeway, which was identified during an FY22 Action Grant. It also furthered designs for green infrastructure that will help alleviate flooding at the Causeway and protect water quality in the source water reservoir system, conceptually designed under that same previous Action Grant. Read this projects MVP Case Study.

Questions?

Learn more about the MVP 2.0 Planning Grant  Learn more about the MVP Action Grant  Reach out to your MVP Regional Coordinator