Upcoming NRPC Spring Workshops |
The Northwest Regional Planning Commission will be hosting a variety of workshops in the upcoming weeks. See below for details. To register please email mserrano@nrpcvt.com with the workshop you wish to attend.
Municipal Perspectives on Cannabis Regulation and Prevention
May 31th, 2021
6-8 PM, via Zoom
NRPC, Franklin County Caring Communities, and Franklin Grand Isle Tobacco Prevention Coalition will provide an overview of Act 164 (2020) and S.25 (2021) and considerations on local regulation and prevention from a municipal perspective.
Essentials of Land Use Planning and Development
June 29th, 2021
6-8 PM, via Zoom
Please join NRPC for training on the essentials of land use planning and regulation in Vermont. This training will focus on the basics: municipal plans, board roles and responsibilities, and meeting/hearing procedures. Whether newly appointed or seasoned and in need of a refresher, town staff and local board members are encouraged to attend.
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Vermont RPCs host a learning opportunity with Green Mountain Power Staff |
Learn how Green Mountain Power (GMP) can help you and your community save while tackling the two biggest sources of carbon pollution in Vermont – driving and heating. Members of GMP’s innovation team are joining us for a webinar on May 4th from 6 to 7:30 pm.
Topics include rebates and other financial incentives on electric vehicles and charging, plus a new program to help businesses, condo associations, and other organizations install EV charging easily. GMP’s Workplace charging program allows businesses to install EV chargers with no upfront costs. A flat, monthly subscription-style charge covers the charger, installation, software and maintenance, and includes optional low-interest financing through the Vermont Economic Development Authority. Join us!
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The 2021 Downtown and Village Center Tax Credit Program |
The Application for the 2021 round of Downtown and Village Center tax credits is now available!
Applications are due Thursday, July 1, 2021, and the Vermont Downtown Board will make its allocation decisions by mid-August.
Applicants are also encouraged to register for a FREE Downtown and Village Center Tax Credit Applicant Webinar, scheduled for May 11, 2021, at 10:00 AM.
Click here to register. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
Along with basic information, the webinar will review the program's scoring criteria which are used to evaluate and score applications. The webinar discusses sample responses and covers information about required attachments that must be submitted with every application. If you are unable to attend the live webinar, a recording will be made available on the Agency of Commerce and Community Development website following this training.
Remember the deadline to apply for funding this year is July 1, 2021. Applications must be submitted electronically to caitlin.corkins@vermont.gov.
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Natural Resource Planning Trainings in May |
The Community Wildlife Program at VT Fish & Wildlife is pleased to offer a training course this spring on town-focused natural resources planning. Due to the ongoing pandemic, they will be offering this training online during May. These training sessions are ideal for folks serving on town conservation commissions, planning commissions, as well as for other interested people. They are free courses, but attendees do need to attend all 3 sessions in order to receive a certificate of completion.
Training description and registration links for these training sessions are included below, and any questions can be directed to andrew.wood@vermont.gov.
NR 2 - Caring for Natural Resources:
Taking Action in Your Community
This workshop will help you choose locally appropriate land use planning strategies for conserving natural resources. It uses case studies and exercises to show how taking action can work in real life. The overall goal is to build an understanding of what you can do, how to work with different people in your community, how to choose ways to protect natural resources, and how to make it happen. Completion of NR1 is not a pre-requisite but is recommended.
Instructors:
Jens Hilke, Conservation Planner, VT Fish and Wildlife Department
Andy Wood, Conservation Planner, VT Fish and Wildlife Department
Note: This is a 3-session training course. You must sign up for all three sessions if you wish to take this class and receive the certificate.
Session 1: Monday, May 3, 2021, 7:00pm-9:00pm. REGISTER
Session 2: Monday, May 10, 2021, 7:00pm-9:00pm. REGISTER
Session 3: Monday, May 17, 2021, 7:00pm-9:00pm. REGISTER
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Vermont Legislative Climate Solutions Caucus |
The Vermont Legislative Climate Solutions Caucus, a broad coalition of 80-plus members in the House and Senate dedicated to advancing cost-effective and equitable energy policies to transition Vermont to a sustainable future, released a memo asking for Municipal and School leaders to share any one-time ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) investments that are being considered in local government and schools that intersect with smart strategic climate action.
The Vermont Legislative Climate Solutions Caucus is asking for Municipal and School leaders to share their ideas through this Google form. The goal is to hear about your plans as they evolve, provide additional resources and ideas, and share those ideas with other towns and schools. In addition, your feedback will help to inform the caucus and the legislature during the 2021-2022 biennium as investments in energy policies and programs at the statewide level begin.
The full memo can be found here.
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SAVE THE DATE:
Summit on the Future of Vermont
May 26 & 27, 1-5pm | Virtual
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Join us to consider transformational goals and actions for the future of our economy, environment, communities, and people at VCRD’s Summit on the Future of Vermont!
- Consider ideas for a Proposition for Vermont’s future
- Think with experts and leaders
- Contribute your ideas for action
- Engage in partnership for the future of Vermont
Share your voice and shape action for Vermont’s future.
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UVM Transportation Research Center Study |
The University of Vermont Transportation Research Center ( www.uvm.edu/cems/trc) is looking for your help in identifying transportation challenges in your community and possible solutions. We are inviting you to participate in a focus group meeting where you will have a chance to discuss these issues with other people from the Champlain Islands and UVM transportation researchers. To remain Covid-19 compliant, focus groups will be held virtually with access by phone or computer.
Erica Quallen
Graduate Research Assistant
Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering
University of Vermont
Dr. Gregory Rowangould
Director, Transportation Research Center
Associate Professor, Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering
University of Vermont
(802) 656-3596
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GET UP AND GO! FOR THE SPRING TRANSPORTATION CHALLENGE
May 1st - 16th
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The Challenge starts May 1st--16th is the Way to Go! Spring Transportation Challenge. Participants who record a bike ride, a walk, or a run on the GoVT! Smartphone app or GoVT! Website at least twice during the Challenge timeframe will be entered to win prizes from Vermont businesses.
All Vermonters and schools are encouraged to participate. We applaud those already walking and biking to school, work, and just more active and having fun. Grab your sneakers or your bike and go for a walk, bike or roll or take the bus to work or school, at least twice for all or part of your trip between May 1st--16th for a chance to win!
All Vermonters (age 18 and over), log your green transportation trips at Go! Vermont's Agile Mile ap https://govermont.agilemile.com/ to be entered to win a folding DJ fat tire Ebike, a shopping trolley, bike/walk safety gear and more.
All students, faculty and staff can participate too. Learn more here about fun activities here www.waytogovt.org and log your results here anytime between May 1st--16th for a chance to earn points and rewards. Be sure to wear your masks, social distance and have fun too, and post your photos and experiences at https://www.facebook.com/wtgvt/. For general details go to: www.waytogovt.org and for assistance contact: Deb Sachs at deb@netzerovt.org or phone 802-238-9807. Look for the hashtag #WaytoGo!GetUp&Go!
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Why our Waterways Matter
Share your input & get involved in the
Missisquoi Bay Basin
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The Vermont Agency of Natural Resources is in the process of developing the 5-year Tactical Basin Plan update for Basin 6: Missisquoi Bay, which will guide how the State of Vermont spends money to improve water quality in our area.
Impact your local waterways by engaging in the watershed action plan. Take that first step by providing feedback in the survey below.
Survey Link:
The survey will take 10-15 minutes to complete and provides valuable input that will guide Tactical Basin Plan (TBP) development.
TPBs are strategic guidebooks for improving watershed health. Your responses will help us identify both high-quality surface waters and those in need of restoration and protection; outline a list of actions to achieve water quality goals; and identify partners and funding so that actions can be implemented.
The image below shows the tributaries to the Missisquoi Bay and towns in the watershed.
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Northwest Regional Planning Commission
Address: 75 Fairfield Street, St. Albans, VT 05478
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