MVP Grant 2

Grant Funding: Money from the Grant: $256,926.00 Town Match: $75,715.84

Project Total: $354,171.31

Project Summary: The town of Uxbridge seeks to develop an integrated vector-borne disease management plan. This will include a tailored, biology based and regional approach to mosquito control; replacing priority culverts as identified in MVP Grant 1; and strengthening the emergency communications plans and systems in order to reach all members of the community.

Tasks for Grant 2

Task 1: Mosquito Prevention and Control           

Status: Complete  

Task Description

This task was focused on determining what options Uxbridge has for controlling mosquito populations. The MVP core team investigated the capacity of our town to use mosquito larvicides and adulticides, such as Bti dunks, in areas where mosquitoes are likely to breed. They also looked at the feasibility of hiring a private contractor to oversee or perform mosquito-specific pesticide applications in Uxbridge.

Click here to see the Bti larvicide invoice

Click here to see the ccommunity zoom session held by VectorScape focused on West Nile Virus (Access Passcode: $6Tfj+&g)

Task 2: Assess Vernal Pool Locations    

Status: Complete    

Task Description

Vernal Pools are small depressions in wetlands where shallow water collects during rains, ground water rises or snow melts¹. They are not part of rivers or streams, and so water doesn’t flow in or out. Vernal pools are shallow, usually only a few inches deep, and may completely dry up during periods of low humidity. They are important habitats for many amphibious species, and some of them are protected under Wetland Protection laws². With no inlets or outlets, the water in vernal pools is usually still, which makes them an ideal breeding ground for mosquitoes. Therefore, it was important to determine the location and classification of vernal pools in Uxbridge. A team worked over the winter and spring of 2019-2020 to create a GIS Map of vernal pool locations, then visit those locations to take photos and field notes. The team presented its findings to the MVP Core Team in May.

You can see the map of vernal pools here

You can see the slideshow presentation about vernal pools here

Task 3: Culvert Design and Permitting    

Status: Complete

Task Description

Using the report about culverts and dams from the MVP 1 Project, the town is working to design new culverts to replace existing, high priority culverts with new ones that can handle projected increases in water volume and potential flooding. The culvert design process includes delineating nearby environmental resources, performing subsurface explorations around the projected sites, and incorporating state climate change projections to make sure the new culverts will protect the nearby roadways against increased water flows. The culvert design team will work with the Uxbridge Conservation Commission to make ensure the new culverts have a minimal effect on local ecosystems. Once they have completed their designs, the culvert design team will file permit applications with the appropriate local and state agencies.

The design phase is currently ongoing and is expected to continue into September 2020. The permit application phase is projected to take place from September 2020 to June 2021.

Task 4: Regional Conference      

Status: Complete    

Task Description

Uxbridge, along with 16 other towns in south central Massachusetts, do not belong to the Central Massachusetts Mosquito Control Project. Mosquito control is very complex and requires a lot of specialized equipment and expertise, and we think it would be beneficial to work together with other towns on mosquito control. To discuss how we can best collaborate with nearby towns, Uxbridge has set up a virtual conference with our neighboring town managers, Departments of Public Works, Boards of Health and Conservation Commissions. The conference will feature speakers from Mass Audubon, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, and the Berkshire County Mosquito Control Project. The conference is scheduled to take place on July 22, 2020.

You can watch a recording of the conference here

You can view the Introduction presentation slides by Andy Dey here

You can view the presentation slides by Chris Horton, Superintendent of the Berkshire Mosquito Control Program, here

You can view the presentation slides by Heidi Ricci, Acting Director of Advoacy, and Dr. Martha Gach, Conservation Coordinator at Mass Audubon, here

You can view the presentation slides by Dr. Catherine Brown, Epidemiologist at the MA Department of Public Health, here

You can view the conference report by Andy Dey here

Task 5: Update Open Space Plan    

Status: Complete 

Task Description

To properly manage the undeveloped and protected land, it is very important to plan for climate changes and future green infrastructure ideas. As part of the MVP project, the Uxbridge Open Space and Recreation Plan will be updated to reflect climate projections, vector borne disease risks and projecting hazards. The updated plan will also include plans for green infrastructure proposals, possible additional sites for future water management proposals, wetland management, and culvert upgrades. This task is currently in progress and expected to be completed by the end of September 2020.

The updated Uxbridge Open Space Plan will be posted to this website after it is presented to the Select Board.

Task 6: Strengthen Emergency Communications      

Status: Complete    

Task Description

It is important to make sure the town can send out alerts to the community in the event of a serious emergency such as severe weather or an infectious disease outbreak like EEE or COVID-19. The MVP Core Team is using part of the MVP 2 Grant to strengthen our town’s capacity for emergency communications. Specific measures to improve emergency communication will be focused on the CodeRed system. First, the Police Department will identify and remove duplicate entries from CodeRed. Then the town will hold a training session for town officials on how and when to use CodeRed. The Core Team will oversee the creation of a community outreach program that will include website updates, emails and physical mailings to Uxbridge residents. This task is expected to be complete by the end of September 2020.

Task 7: Case Study and Data Review      

Status: Complete    

Task Description

The MVP Team will design and implement a case study for a vector-borne disease management system that integrates nature-based solutions for stormwater and flood control. The study will focus on managing mosquito habitat through designing new culverts, improving intra-community and inter-community outreach, and increasing options for a menu-based system of mosquito control services. Results from the case study will be presented to the Board of Selectmen and neighboring communities to inform a regional response to vector-borne diseases.

The case study can be found here.

Task 8: Final Presentations and Community Outreach 

Status: Complete    

Task Description

Once tasks 1 through 7 are complete, the MVP Core Team will present the outcomes and final recommendations of the project to the Uxbridge Board of Selectmen. The findings and recommendations will also be posted to this website and shared with neighboring communities at regional conferences.

Additional information:

For more information about the MVP Project, click here

For information about the MVP 1 Grant, click here

To see who is on the MVP Core Team, click here

To learn more about Mosquito-borne Illness in Uxbridge, click here

Citations

1. Vernal Pools | Mass.gov. https://www.mass.gov/vernal-pools. Accessed June 17, 2020.

2. Protecting Vernal Pools. https://www.massaudubon.org/learn/nature-wildlife/reptiles-amphibians/ve.... Accessed June 17, 2020.