NEWRY – The town has signed on to Oxford County’s disaster-preparedness plan, making it eligible for federal money.

The document was drawn up by the county and the Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments, and must be approved by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Congress passed the Disaster Mitigation Act in 2000 because it decided the United States spent too much money reacting to disasters and not enough avoiding them. It designated $150 million for developing plans to reduce the risk of harm to people and property from floods, storms, fires, high winds, hazardous materials and other disasters.

“We really have no choice as to whether we participate or not,” said Administrative Assistant Loretta Berry. “If we want to continue to receive grant money from the Federal Emergency Management Agency we will have to approve the plan and become a participating member anyway.”

Money will not only be available to help recover from disasters, but to fix problems beforehand. As a result, town road crews and road contractors are being asked to identify and list problem areas and submit the list to the county for future consideration. As FEMA money becomes available it is hoped that preventive maintenance can be done in those areas.

Newry’s road contractor, D.A. Wilson of Bethel, will be working on identifying and listing problem areas.

In other business, Berry reported to the selectmen that the revaluation program started last spring is going well and should be completed by April 1. The program is being done by Mike Austin and Donna Hays of Maine Equalization.