REGIONAL NOTES
August 2019
Quick Links
Are you interested in a specific topic?

Click on a category below to be brought right to that section.
Table of Contents
 
CCRPC Calendar of Events

All events held at the CCRPC unless otherwise noted. 


SEPTEMBER

9/3, 9:00am: Transportation Advisory Committee Meeting

9/3, 11:00am: Clean Water Advisory Committee Meeting

9/3, 12:00pm: Clean Water Advisory Committee MS-4 Sub-Committee Meeting

9/4, 5:45pm: CCRPC Executive Committee Meeting

9/10, 9:00am: Local Emergency Planning Committee Meeting (LEPC-1)

9/18, 6:00pm: CCRPC Board Meeting

 

2019 Chittenden County Traffic Alert Program

Sign up for the weekly Traffic Alert email -- your source for all roadway and construction work in Chittenden County during the 2019 season.

 

United Way of Northwest Vermont Volunteer Opportunities

United Way can connect you with hundreds of ways to give your time and make a difference in your community.

 

Estimate Your Energy Use by Device

We'd all love to see our energy bills shrink, but it's not always clear which appliances and devices contribute the most to monthly energy costs. Featuring over 60 energy users, this interactive electric usage chart shows an appliance-by-appliance breakdown.

 
CCRPC  Staff

Charlie Baker, Executive Director

Dan Albrecht, Senior Planner

Pam Brangan, GISP, GIS Data & IT Manager

Jason Charest, PE, Senior Transportation Planning Engineer

Eleni Churchill, Transportation Program Manager

Forest Cohen, Senior Business Manager

Bryan Davis, AICP, Senior Transportation Planner

Marshall Distel, Transportation Planner

Chris Dubin, Transportation Planner

Christine Forde, AICP, Senior Transportation Planner

Amy Irvin Witham, Business Office Associate

Peter Keating, Senior Transportation Planner

Regina Mahony, AICP, Planning Program Manager

Melanie Needle, Senior Planner

Emily Nosse-Leirer, Senior Planner

Sai Sarepalli, PE, Transportation Planning Engineer

Emma Vaughn, Communications Manager

For bios and contact information,  click here.
 
Good morning,
 
With summer drawing to a close, students of all ages are heading back to school. This season brings an increase in pedestrian, bicycle and vehicle traffic and is a good time for all travelers to consider how to safely share our roads.
 
Pedestrian safety includes using sidewalks whenever available, following directions from crossing guards, and wearing brightly colored or reflective clothing -- particularly on foggy mornings. Bicyclist safety includes following the rules of the road, especially at stop lights and signs, watching for turning vehicles at intersections and driveways, and using hand signals to communicate with other road users. Driver safety includes never driving distracted or using handheld devices, being especially watchful for pedestrians and bicyclists near schools and in designated school zones, and never passing school buses discharging students.
 
These are only a few of the tips to keep in mind as we enter the school year; for more safety recommendations, visit the Vermont State Highway Safety Office's Back to School Safety webpage.
 
Enjoy the rest of your summer!

Charlie Baker
Executive Director, CCRPC
 
Transportation
Implementing ECOS Strategy 2
VTrans Research and Innovation Showcase and Career Day: September 11
The VTrans Research Section, VTrans Civil Rights, and State Transportation Innovation Council are excited to host the VTrans Research and Innovation Showcase and Career Day on September 11 at the Dill Building in Berlin. In addition to posters of their research and innovations, there will be demonstrations of VTrans innovations including Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), VTrans' mega snow plow, culvert robots, and the materials lab.  Learn More & Register »
Exit 16 DDI Project Public Meeting: September 24 (Two Sessions: 1pm and 6:30pm)
Join VTrans on Tuesday, September 24th for one of two public meeting sessions to learn about the Exit 16 Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI) project in Colchester. Sessions will be held at 1pm and 6:30pm at the Colchester Town Offices (Outer Bay Conference Room, 781 Blakely Road). The presentation will include: Project scope, Exit 16 reconfiguration design, bicycle and pedestrian flow, anticipated construction schedule and impacts, and project status. The project team will be available to answer any questions and address any comments. There will be an opportunity to take a test drive through the DDI using the virtual driving simulator.  View the Meeting Flier » Watch an Educational Video »  |  Visit the Project Website »
SURVEY: Got 5 minutes? Do you ride the bus? Carpool? Uber? VTrans Wants Your Input!
VTrans is updating the Vermont Public Transit Policy Plan, examining Vermont's transit needs and proposing programs and policies to address them. We've heard from Vermonters across the state and have identified public transit issues and challenges, as well as potential strategies for addressing them. You can help us fine tune these items by taking our new survey and letting us know what you think. Survey takers can register for a drawing for a $50 gift card! Your input will help us shape the future of public transportation in Vermont.   Take the Survey »
2019 Northeast Transportation Safety Conference: October 28 & 29
This conference, held this year in Burlington, brings together engineering, education, and highway safety specialists from across the northeast to focus on a common goal: The reduction of fatalities and injuries on our roadways.  Learn More & Register Now »
Chittenden County Shared Mobility Regional Analysis Study Final Report Available
Greenride Bikeshare launched in April 2018 and provided a new public transportation option in Burlington, South Burlington and Winooski. CCRPC contracted with Toole Design to analyze the potential future expansion of the Greenride system and provide guidance on the placement of additional micromobility hubs and options such as e-assist bicycles and e-scooters that may support the growth and success of the region's first shared mobility system. This study analyzes various demographic, transportation, and geographic data sets in making recommendations for potential system expansion . Learn More »
Transportation Project News & Updates
For a full list of transportation projects, visit the CCRPC Transportation Advisory Committee website; a full project list is provided in every TAC agenda and is updated regularly. View the latest TAC agenda »
 
Economy
Implementing ECOS Strategy 1
Women Can Do 2019 Conference: October 17
Women Can Do is Vermont's largest one-day career immersion experience for high school girls and gender non-conforming youth. It features dozens of hands-on workshops and action stations highlighting careers in the skilled trades and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) fields. Learn More »
Chittenden County Brownfields Program Accepting Applications
If you own or wish to develop a property that is contaminated or suspected to be contaminated, please apply. To get started, read the information on different types of assistance and fill out and send us a site nomination/assistance request form. Learn More »
 
Energy & Natural Resources
Implementing ECOS Strategies 3 & 4
SURVEY: Help Inform Vermont's Clean Water Budget
The Clean Water Board is requesting public input on the state's fiscal year 2021 clean water funding priorities. Weigh in by completing this online questionnaire, open through September 6th.
Registration Open for REV2019 Conference: Empowering Energy Transformation: October 10-11
For more than a decade, the Renewable Energy Vermont Conference has been the leading event for the renewable energy sectors in Northern New England. This annual forum brings together business leaders, system operators, architects, builders, manufacturers, engineers, scientists, policy makers, and regulators. Registration will open soon.  
Drive Electric Vermont Electric Vehicle Shopping Tools
There are many factors to consider when choosing an EV, such as range, availability, size and price. The Drive Electric Vermont EV comparison tool is up-to-date with all the latest models and features available in the state. 
 
Emergency Preparedness
Implementing ECOS Strategy 2
2019 Vermont Emergency Preparedness Conference: September 6-7
Vermont Emergency Management will hold the 12th annual Vermont Emergency Preparedness Conference this September. The conference is free and offers a great opportunity to network with others in the field of emergency management and response, and attend educational breakout sessions to learn the latest practices in emergency preparedness, response, and recovery. Some of the sessions this year include: Cybersecurity in Vermont, Public Assistance 101, Debris Management and Monitoring, Municipal Incident Planning, and an Incident Plan Workshop. Learn More »
 
Quality of Place
Implementing ECOS Strategy 2
SURVEY: Past and Future of Vermont's Imagery Program
As 2020 approaches, the Vermont Center for Geographic Information and the State's Enterprise GIS Consortium are working to evaluate Vermont's Mapping Program. An Orthoimagery Workgroup has been chartered and tasked with developing recommendations for the future of the Program. Learn More » and Take the Survey »
2020 Municipal Planning Grants - Online Application Open
For state fiscal year 2020, the Vermont Department of Housing and Community Development will grant approximately $450,000 to municipalities to promote planning, revitalization, and development activities that maintain Vermont's land use goal of compact settlements separated by rural lands. Learn More »
State Government Municipal Days: October 23-November 7 (Various Locations)
Join the Agency of Natural Resources for workshops, technical assistance and networking opportunities in five locations throughout the state. New this year, flexible registration is offered at several locations so those who aren't able to attend for a full day still have an opportunity to participate. Learn More »
 
Social Community
Implementing ECOS Strategy 2
Leadership Champlain Request for Proposals: 2019-20 Service Projects: Proposals Due September 16
Since the Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce founded Leadership Champlain in 1988, the program has completed over 200 service projects. These annual service projects have led to over 2,100 hours of volunteer service each year -- making an impact of over $1.5M to our local non-profit organizations since the program's inception Learn More »
Chittenden County Homeless Alliance Community Meeting: September 24
The Chittenden County Homeless Alliance is hosting a free community meeting on Tuesday, September 24, from 8-10 a.m. at the Delta by Marriott (formerly Trader Duke' s), 117 Willison Rd., South Burlington. A light breakfast will be served. All are welcome to attend! Meeting topics include racial disparities in homelessness, our progress in providing homes people experiencing homelessness (we expect to have over 200 households housed this past year), our shared values in working as a community to address homelessness, and the inclusivity and transparency of the shelter system. We'll also be electing Alliance officers and governing board members.  Learn More »
 
If you have any questions, feedback, or suggested content for upcoming issues, please contact Emma Vaughn, Communications Manager: evaughn@ccrpcvt.org or (802) 846-4490 x *21.