Williams River Corridor Plan Meeting – 9/21
The Williams River Corridor Plan was recently completed and there will be a public meeting to present some of the potential future projects and get input. The meeting will be on Wednesday, September 21st at 6:30pm at the NewsBank Conference Center in Chester. The Williams River and its tributaries can be found in our towns of Andover, Chester and Springfield. For more information click here.
Red Cross Disaster Bootcamp – 9/23-25
Upcoming Red Cross Disaster Boot Camp training! The program is designed for new volunteers to expose them to as many areas of disaster services as possible over a three day period. This “Boot Camp” will include Disaster Cycle Service training, Client Assistance (Casework) training, Shelter Fundamental training (with hands on simulation), as well as other relevant new member training.
The Boot Camp will be held in WRJ, at the Hartford Fire Department, on Friday (night) September 23, Saturday 24th, and Sunday 25th. Lunch and snacks will be provided free of charge.
For more information see facebook and the event flyer.
RFP for Engineering Services – Due by 8/31
Ludlow Commonwealth Avenue Drainage Project
The Town of Ludlow has received funding through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) to complete activities aimed at increasing flow capacity, provide a more natural stream environment, and reduce jamming potential due to ice flow and high water events. The Town is seeking assistance from qualified firms to provide engineering services to complete the Commonwealth Avenue Drainage Project in accordance with the HMGP grant agreement between the Town of Ludlow and the Vermont Department of Public Safety.
For the RFP click here or contact Allison Hopkins for more information.
2016 Transportation Alternatives Grant Applications released – Due 10/20
This year’s round of Transportation Alternatives Grants have been announced. This year, roughly 50% of the TA funding (roughly $1.1 million) is reserved for environmental mitigation projects relating to stormwater and highways. Other eligible projects include bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, Safe Routes to School projects and community improvement projects that focus on transportation. Pre-application training workshops are 9/6 at 10am and 9/8 at 6pm. Applications are due October 20, 2016 and more information can be found at http://vtrans.vermont.gov/highway/local-projects/transport-alt
New Statewide Parcel Mapping Program – 9/7 Informational Meeting in Ascutney
The New Statewide Property Parcel Mapping Program was created by the Transportation Bill passed in 2016 by the Vermont Legislature. It is an opportunity for our Towns to improve/ create their parcel data!
Join us for an informational meeting:
Wednesday, September 7, 2017
2:00 – 3:30 PM
Martin Memorial Hall (part of Weathersfield Town Office), 5259 US Route 5, Ascutney, VT
For more information:
– 9/7 Meeting invitation
– Vermont Statewide Parcel Mapping Program
– How SWCRPC uses digital parcel data
– contact Leslie Pelch – Statewide Program Manager
– contact Katharine Otto – SWCRPC Planner
RFP for Engineering Services – Due by 8/18
Ludlow Economic Resiliency Plan – Dean R Brown Industrial Park
The Town of Ludlow has received funding through the Vermont CDBG Disaster Recovery Program to complete activities aimed at improving the prospects of attracting new businesses to Ludlow and to help recover from Tropical Storm Irene and improve its economic resiliency. The Town is seeking assistance from qualified firms to provide preliminary engineering and design services to evaluate expanding the infrastructure at the existing Industrial Park in order to allow access to a currently undeveloped 20 acre section of the park.
For the RFP click here or contact Jason Rasmussen for more information. Click here for summary of RFP Q&As.
Municipal Planning Grant Applications due 10/31
DHCD is pleased to announce approximately $457,000 in state funding to help Vermont’s cities and towns realize their visions for building more livable and vibrant communities. Check out the FY17 MPG Program Description for details on eligibility, application process and funding priorities. Grant applications are due October 31st with funding decisions announced in December. For more information, contact Jason Rasmussen.
State Government Municipal Day – September 9th
Friday, September 9th, will be a full day of training and interactive workshops for local officials brought to you by ANR, DHCD and VTrans. A wide variety of useful sessions are planned including the Municipal Roads General Permit, writing good plans, using the ANR Natural Resources Atlas, and more! Check out the agenda and be sure to pre-register.
Blazing through summer – July RPC newsletter
The RPC is blazing through this summer. We’ve got legislative updates from the 2016 season, a bus route evaluation completed, FEMA has approved two Local Hazard Mitigation Plans, and several of our towns have been awarded funds through the Vermont Better Roads Program. For more information about these projects and more, check out our latest newsletter – http://conta.cc/2agATHF and don’t forget to sign up if you want to receive it directly via email!
Conversation on Clean Water – 7/12 at 5:30pm at SWCRPC Office
Please join staff from the Two Rivers-Ottauquechee Regional Commission, Southern Windsor County Regional Planning Commission, and regional watershed planners and program managers from the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation for a regional discussion on clean water initiatives focused on current and new programs to preserve and protect this precious resource.
Specific topics we will address include:
- Water pollution challenges and opportunities in the region;
- Proposed changes to Vermont’s Water Quality Standards and the increased protection these will provide;
- Tactical Basin Planning in the Ottauquechee and Black River Basins and how this will improve water quality; and
- Vermont’s Clean Water Fund and its role in addressing water quality issues.
Event Details:
- July 12, 2016
- 5:30 -7:30 p.m.
- SWCRPC Office, 38 Ascutney Park Road, Ascutney, VT
For more information, contact Dan Potter.
Mill Brook Watershed Initiative
SWCRPC and the Ottauquechee Natural Resources Conservation District (ONRCD) are leading a project to do flood resiliency planning and implementation in the Mill Brook Watershed (which includes the towns of Windsor, West Windsor and Reading).
For more information check out our new video and see our webpage.
Mill Brook Watershed Team from Peregrine Productions LLC on Vimeo.
Upcoming events:
- July 3rd – Old Home Day in Reading – Stream table demonstrations by ONRCD
- July 4th – West Windsor Parade – Stream table demonstrations by ONRCD
- July 2016 Teacher Training Institute hosted by the American Precision Museum
For more information, contact Dan Potter at (802)-674-9201.
Final Report for The Current Bus Route Evaluation Project 2016
SWCRPC and Southeast Vermont Transit have been evaluating some of “The Current” bus routes in the Springfield, Bellows Falls and Ludlow areas. We had great response to our January 2016 survey, as well as some other public outreach. The final report including short term recommendations is now available at http://swcrpc.org/bus-route-evaluation-project-2016/
Request for Proposal (RFP) – Demolition and Site Stabilization of Flood-Damaged Residential Property in Windsor – Due 6/17
For more information, including the RFP, go to http://swcrpc.org/requests-for-proposals/
Summer construction season has started!
There are a number of upcoming major bridge and road construction projects due for the region or nearby. See below for basic information about these projects and contact Katharine for more information. (Table last updated 4/14/2016)
| Town | Project Type | Location Info | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chester | Class 1 Town Hwy Paving | Class 1 town highways (Main St and Depot St) | Construction late fall 2015 and spring 2016. More info |
| Windsor | Class 1 Town Hwy Paving | Class 1 town highways (Main St, Ascutney St and Union St) | Construction Spring/ Summer 2016. More info |
| Springfield | Class 1 Town Hwy Paving | Class 1 town highways (Main St and Chester Road) | Construction Spring/ Summer 2016. More info |
| Springfield and Charlestown | State Highway Bridge | Charlestown-Springfield Bridge (Cheshire Toll Bridge) | Construction will reduce traffic to one lane in either direction for approx 8 weeks and also include a 5 day complete closure to traffic. Construction April – June 2016. More info |
| Windsor and Cornish | State Highway Bridge | Cornish-Windsor Covered Bridge | Work on abutments. Work either fall 2016 or 2017 (need low flow in river). No anticipated closure of bridge to traffic |
| Woodstock | State Highway Bridge | Br 24 on VT-106 in South Woodstock | Bridge closure for 21 days starting on May 16. More info |
Notes: ABC (Accelerated Bridge Construction Program)
Interesting new technology visits Chester road relocation site
On March 9, 2016, SWCRPC and LEPC-3 hosted the UVM Spatial Analysis Lab. We now have some great aerial images and elevation information for a new road relocation site in Chester. It’s really interesting to see what a small Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) can capture in just 20 minutes of flying over a site. Check out the online before-after aerial map and the aerial and elevation map. For more information, contact Katharine Otto.
New online maps… many uses!
To celebrate the new year, the SWCRPC has increased our online mapping capabilities. Check out the new online map portal at http://swcrpc.maps.arcgis.com/home/ and let us know if you’d like to have an online map component to an upcoming town project! It’s a great way to explore data from home or to collect data using the online portal. For more information, contact Katharine Otto.
Learn about the Vermont Clean Water Act – Video of 2/24 presentations now available
On 2/24 SWCRPC hosted several presentations about how the Vermont Clean Water Act will affect municipalities. Town Managers, Selectboards, Planning Commission members, Town Staff, The RPC Board and interested individuals were encouraged to attend.
- Jim Ryan presented municipal roads
- Marie Caduto discussed Basin Plans and their implementation
- Ryan Patch discussed draft agricultural rules.
A video of these presentations is now available thanks to LPCTV – click here to view online. For more information about the Clean Water Act click here or contact Dan Potter.
New Vermont Planning Manual available
In January 2016 a new edition of the Vermont Planning Manual became available for download here. The new manual is designed to help communities identify the issues that matter most and to develop action-oriented strategies to tackle them. The 2016 update includes two modules: Module 1 is The Municipal Plan and offers guidance on developing a shared community vision, more concise and user-friendly plans and effective implementation strategies. It also explains the plan update process and the role of the municipal plan in state Act 250 land use permits and Section 248 proceedings for electric generation facilities. Module 2 is the State Designation Programs and details all five of the designations (downtown, villages, etc.) and includes case studies that show how cities and towns use the programs to implement their plans and achieve their goals.
New website with information relating to the new Clean Water Act
In November 2015, the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources released a new website that focuses on the new Clean Water Initiative called “Clean Water Vermont”. It reflects an exciting and growing collaboration among municipalities, state agencies, local and regional partners, farmers, businesses and the public to take action that will safeguard the public’s access to clean and safe water throughout the state. The website includes information about Act 64 and its implementation, the “Lake Champlain Plan” and more – http://cleanwater.vermont.gov/
SWCRPC and Partners Awarded $50,000 from High Meadows Fund
The High Meadows Fund awarded $50,000 to prioritize and begin implementing bank stabilization and floodplain projects recommended by a recent stream assessment of the Mill Brook watershed. The purpose of this High Meadows Fund grant is to build resilience in Vermont watersheds. This project will also involve setting up workshops at the teacher-training institute located in the American Precision Museum and utilizing a stream table to demonstrate stream dynamics at local events and civic meetings. The project involves a partnership between the SWCRPC, Ottauquechee Natural Resources Conservation District, American Precision Museum, other partners, and the towns of Reading, West Windsor and Windsor.