Looking for more information about Water Quality Related Grants?
Check out http://swcrpc.org/grants/ for more information about programs such as Better Roads, Ecosystem Restoration, and the pilot Grants In Aid Program.
New ANR model for Hydrologically Connected Roadways released – 6/2
The Vermont Agency of Natural Resources (ANR) has just released a new model of hydrologically connected town roadways. This information forms the foundation of the upcoming Municipal Roads General Permit. Click here for a map of connected roads in the Region and click here to explore the data in more detail on the ANR Natural Resources Atlas. For more information, please contact Katharine Otto.
Request for Proposals: Consultant Services for the Right Side of the Tracks Project In Windsor, Vermont
The Town of Windsor and Southern Windsor County Regional Planning Commission are seeking assistance from a qualified firm(s) to complete and coordinate efforts as part of a new project entitled “Creating the Right Side of the Tracks”. The project is described in more detail in the Request for Proposals. Windsor has received Better Connections Program funding through the Vermont Agency of Transportation and Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development. This project will develop a coordinated implementation plan based upon the recommendations of the 2012 Downtown Master Plan, the current activities of the Town, and the Downtown Program as well as numerous other stakeholders in the community. Proposals are due on June 23, 2017 at 4:00 p.m.
Click here for more information or call (802) 674-9201.
Click here for a summary of questions and corresponding answers regarding this RFP.
Proposed changes to Southeast Vermont Transit routes
Two public meetings are scheduled for The Current’s recommended improvements to four of its bus routes that serve Springfield, Bellows Falls, and Ludlow.
- Location: The Current’s facility on 706 Rockingham Road, Rockingham, Vermont
- Date: Thursday, June 8th
- Times: 12:00 pm and 6:00 pm.
- Free transportation can be arranged by calling The Current at 460-7433.
The Current has been studying schedule changes for over a year on Routes #1 (Springfield Intown), #2 (Bellows Falls Intown), #55 (Bellows Falls to Springfield), and #57 (Bellows Falls to Ludlow). A study published in June 2016 by the Southern Windsor County Regional Planning Commission (SWCRPC) recommended several changes and conducted research. The Current followed up on that study’s recommendations by conducting more research including rider surveys and driver surveys. The company drafted a route improvement plan and a comment card for responses in coordination with the Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans), transit consultant Steadman Hill, and the SWCRPC. Deadline for public input to the plan is June 16th at 5:00 pm.
The plan and comments card are available online at http://crtransit.org/bus-information/route-improvement-plan/ ; by calling the Current at 802-460-7433, extension 201; and from drivers on the routes being studied.
Several new ANR/ RFPs grants announced
The Clean Water Initiative Program will be releasing multiple Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for clean water funding over the next several weeks. Details are outlined in the table below and posted on the Clean Water Initiative Grants webpage.
River Corridor Conservation Easements
Released: May 11th
Application due date: June 21st
Support for implementation of priority river corridor easements to reduce flood hazards, and improve water quality and wildlife habitat.
Clean Water Block Grants
Anticipated release date: May 22nd
Application due date: June 5th
Support for statewide partner(s) to administer a program that will support the completion of “construction-ready” clean water improvement projects identified on the DEC Watershed Projects Database “Go List.”
Ecosystem Restoration Grants
Anticipated release date: May 22nd
Application due date: July 5th
Support for the design and construction of water pollution abatement and control projects that target nonpoint sources of pollution. See the DEC Watershed Projects Database for possible projects. Other projects not currently in the database must be added to the database prior to the application deadline.
Grant Applicant Webinars
Two webinars for Ecosystem Restoration Grant applicants are scheduled for Thursday, May 25th and Tuesday, June 13th. For more information visit the Clean Water Initiative Grants webpage.
For more information, or if you are interested in applying, please contact Cindy.
2017 ECVEDD Housing Workshop – 6/15 in White River Junction
You are invited to this year’s East Central Vermont Economic Development District (ECVEDD) Housing Workshop: “Housing and Economic Development, the Symbiotic Relationship”
- Thursday, June 15, 2017
- Refreshments served from 5:30 – 6:15 pm. Program to begin 6:15 pm
- Barrette Center for the Arts in White River Junction
- RSVP To Mark at GMEDC, 802-295-3710
The workshop will feature a panel of speakers who will discuss the current housing needs in Vermont and why the subject is so critical to a sustainable economy. They will offer their thoughts on the opportunities and challenges for development from both the private and public perspectives.
Vermont Invasive Patrollers (VIP) Program Training – 6/10 in Brattleboro
A Vermont Invasive Patrollers (VIP) Program workshop will be offered by Vermont Lakes and Ponds staff in Brattleboro:
- Saturday, June 10th, 10:30 – 2:00 PM
- Marlboro Graduate Center, Room 2E, 28 Vernon St, Brattleboro
This 3-hour VIP workshop will include classroom and hands-on identification training, and a half hour break for lunch. An optional site visit to view the invasive aquatic plant, Eurasian watermilfoil in the Retreat Meadows will follow the workshop. You will need your own non-motorized vessel, pfd and paddle for the site visit unless other arrangements are made with Ann Bove. The site visit will be weather permitting.
You may now register online. Workshops and materials are offered at no cost to participants. Space is limited. For more information, contact Ann Bove at ann.bove@vermont.gov or (802) 490-6120.
2017 VT Bicycle and Pedestrian Program Grants – Applications due 7/14
VTrans has announced this year’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Grant Applications. Typical projects include sidewalks, shared use paths, crossing improvements and bike lanes. Last year, nearly $4 million in projects throughout the state were initiated under this grant program. Applications must be received by 1PM, Friday July 14, 2017.
Applicants to the Bike/Ped Program are strongly encouraged to attend one of two online workshops to learn about the details of the program:
- Tuesday May 16, 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM and
- Thursday, May 18, 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM.
For more information visit http://vtrans.vermont.gov/highway/local-projects/bike-ped or contact Katharine or Jason.
Spring Happenings – April 2017 newsletter
We’ve been up to quite abit this winter… and have more coming up in the Spring. Check out our newsletter here.
West Windsor Dam Project
In the winter of 2017 SWCRPC, with several partners, In the winter of 2017 SWCRPC, with several partners, completed a project to remove a mill dam to improve flood resiliency in West Windsor. For more information about the project, or to discuss removal of an unwanted dam on your property, contact Chris Yurek or Cindy Ingersoll.
A to B Mobility Study – Final Report and New List of Transportation Service
The A to B Mobility Project is now finalized and available online! This study looks at how people within the region get from point A to point B without their own motorized vehicle. A key outcome of the project was to inventory existing available transportation services. Another key component of the project was talking with a variety of stakeholders to identify the challenges and opportunities related to meeting the transportation needs of their clients (in the case of the human service agencies) and for providing the ride (in the case of the transportation providers).
For more information about the project, including the list of transportation services, visit http://swcrpc.org/a2b-mobility-project/ or contact Katharine.
6/8 – Downtown and Historic Preservation Conference in White River Junction
The Vermont Department of Housing and Community Development is pleased to present the Downtown and Historic Preservation Conference on Thursday, June 8, 2017 at the Barrett Center for the Arts in White River Junction. The conference will highlight White River Junction’s successful revival by bringing new housing, businesses, and jobs downtown. This year’s conference features nationally recognized keynote speaker Joe Minicozzi, who has done the math that proves investing in downtowns not only improves our quality of life and economy, but saves taxpayer dollars.
Take advantage of the early bird rate by registering now. Space is limited. For more information, including registration, visit http://accd.vermont.gov/community-development/events/conference
What did the RPCs do last year?
February 24, 2017
The Vermont Association of Planning and Development Organizations (VAPDA) has released their 2016 Annual Report. Check it out here for more information about what SWCRPC and its fellow organizations have been doing – from land use plans and mapping projects, to energy planning and special projects.