During the public hearing process with the Abington Board of Selectmen, Abington School Department and the Middle School Site Selection Committee, the general public was allowed the opportunity to submit questions to the Selection Committee for response.
On January 16, 2007 Peter Schafer, Assistant School Superintendent and Chairman of the Middle School Site Selection Committee, submitted his responses to the following questions.
Q."National Flood Insurance Plan presented shows the flood prone areas of Rockland. Why was it not mentioned that portions of Griffin's Dairy are subject to flooding?"
A. "The Committee presented FEMA Flood Maps as part of our presentation to the public made at the November 2006 meeting. The FEMA maps show that the FEMA flood zones are present only along the banks of French's Stream, which is entirely contained in the portion of Griffins parcel that is situated in Rockland. The upland areas situated in the portion of Abington are not located within a FEMA flood zone. Additionally. it WAS mentioned at the November 2006 meeting that the Committee instructed the geotechnical engineer not to bother conducting any soil tests in the area to the east of Bellows Circle because of the Committee's knowledge about seasonal flooding issues in that area."
Q. "Why is there NO 100 year flood plain elevation mentioned?"
A. "The Committee used the maps provided by FEMA."
Zone "C" classification is a designation for areas that have NOT had its flood elevations determined.
MGL c131 s40 310 CMR 10.57:(2) (a) 3
"Where NFIP profile data is unavailable, the boundary of Bordering Land Subject to Flooding shall be the maximun lateral extent of flood water which has been observed or recorded. In the event of a conflict. the issuing authority may require the applicant to determine the boundary of Bordering Land Subject to Flooding by engineering calculations which shall be:
a. based upon a design storm of seven (7) inches of percipitation in 24 hours.
Based on available topographic information and plans designed for Bellows Circle the 100 year flood elevation is estimated at or below elevation 110. It is believed that the 100 year flooplain extends well into the main portion of the 32 acres of land that lies within the Town of Abington.
Source > Old Colony Water Pollution Control Map
**** The 10 year storm elevation is estimated at or below elevation 107 based on the March 27, 2001 storm event. The pictured flooding was taken 3 days after the end of the storm event.
If this area is not classified as being contained within the 100 year floodplain then you shouldn't be seeing this occur during a 10 year storm event. If you are seeing this occur who is right? Those who say it does flood or those who say it doesn't?
You be the judge.