Athol and Petersham will both receive state funding to help revamp their open space and recreation plans.

The grants are among $1.4 million awarded by the Healey-Driscoll Administration “to support local and regional planning agencies in developing plans and implementing land use regulations consistent with their goals and the conservation and development objectives of the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs,” according to an announcement.

Athol received $48,876, which will be used to hire a consultant to update portions of the town’s Master Plan goals and objectives, as well as portions relating to natural and cultural resources and open space and recreation. Heidi Murphy, Athol’s assistant town planner and grant administrator, said the Master Plan was last updated in 2004 and the open space and recreation portion three years ago.

“The Master Plan is a living document that allows the town to move forward on its goals, allows the town to apply for grants and make zoning amendments, and provides guidance for other town departments and land use boards,” said Murphy.

Public outreach will be an important part of the process, said Murphy, and will be done through community forums and social media. Other portions of the Master Plan — such as housing and economic development, will be updated once more grant funding is secured.

“The Master Plan is the one document in the community that I would consider to be one of the most important documents, because it guides land use in the community,” said Murphy.

According to the announcement, 26 projects are being awarded funding through the Planning Assistance Grant Program. Municipalities will use the grants to undertake public processes and hire technical expertise to mitigate and prepare for climate change impacts, improve land use practices, conserve and sustainably develop land, and diversify housing choices.

“Local and regional planning agencies are key to the Commonwealth achieving its conservation and development goals, and I am grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration and EEA Secretary Tepper for that recognition and this investment,” said state Sen. Jo Comerford, in the announcement. “I am thrilled that Petersham will be receiving additional funding through the Planning Assistance Grant Program to update their open space and recreation plan and I am thankful to the Petersham officials for this work.”

Anne Cavanaugh, chair of Petersham’s Open Space and Recreation Committee, said the $20,000 that the town will receive will cover all costs of updating the plan, with a $5,000 match from the town. The Conway School of Landscape and Design has been hired as the project consultant.

The new plan will include updated goals for the town as well as a climate resiliency section.

“We want to bring climate resiliency into the planning process,” Cavanaugh said.

The new plan will also include updated maps and information about open spaces, as well as lands which may need to be protected. One area which will likely be a priority is the Nichewaug property. Cavanaugh said the town isn’t planning on doing anything with the seven-acre site at the moment.

“There are a number of things the town is looking at,” said Cavanaugh.

Like Athol, Petersham’s process will also involve public input, which will be done through an online survey. Cavanaugh said the town aims to have the process complete by June 30, the end of the fiscal year.

“(Having the plan) opens the town to grants through Division of Conservation Services,” said Cavanaugh. “Without an approved plan we’re not eligibility for a number of grants for land development, land acquisition, park improvements and land maintenance.”

Max Bowen can be reached at 413-930-4074 or at mbowen@recorder.com.