Selectmen authorized Building Inspector Scott Shippey to travel to a Federal Emergency Management Agency Conference later this year on Tuesday night.

“Flood construction guidelines for residential buildings and many other regulations are covered,” Shippey told Selectmen. “This would bring me up to date on [FEMA] expectations on making buildings safer.”

Town Administrator Paul Dawson noted Shippey provided course goals offered at the conference that include discussion on designs in a coastal environment.

“It’s definitely worth looking into,” Shippey said. “You learn so much from the group that sets up the regulations we’re responsible for enforcing.”

While Shippey has the Selectmen’s approval, he’s still waiting to hear if his application to the conference, located at the National Fire Academy in Maryland, is accepted.

“I’m trying to get in there as soon as possible,” Shippey said. “There are a lot of people trying to attend from the east coast.”

Selectman Chair Jon Henry said Shippey’s attendance would benefit the town.