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All events held at the CCRPC unless otherwise noted.
JANUARY
1/25, 5:30pm: CCRPC UPWP Committee Meeting
FEBRUARY
2/6, 9:00am: CCRPC Transportation Advisory Committee Meeting
2/6, 11:00am: CCRPC Clean Water Advisory Committee Meeting
2/6, 12:30pm: CCRPC MS-4 Sub-Committee Meeting
2/6, 6:30pm: Winooski River Bridge Scoping Study Local Concerns Meeting (UVM Medical Center McClure Conference Room, Colchester Ave.)
2/7, 5:45pm: CCRPC Executive Committee Meeting
2/8, 8:30am: CCRPC Long-Range Planning Committee
2/21, 6:00pm: 2018 ECOS Plan First Draft Public Hearing
2/21, 6:00pm: CCRPC Board Meeting
2/22, 5:30pm: CCRPC UPWP Committee Meeting
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Around the County: Photo of the Month
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Cross country skiing in Charlotte, VT.
Photo by Lee Krohn
Click photo to enlarge
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Energy-saving solutions for renters
No matter if you rent or own, there are many things you can do to lower your energy costs. Use these tips to save energy and stay warm this winter.
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Volunteer opportunities with United Way of Northwest VT
View current and upcoming volunteer activities with the United Way of Northwest Vermont. Search all volunteer needs, or search by date, family-friendly opportunities, and more.
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CCRPC
Commission Representatives
Bolton: Sharon Murray
Buel's Gore: Garret Mott
Burlington: Andy Montroll
Charlotte: Jim Donovan
Colchester: Jeffrey Bartley
Essex: Jeff Carr
Essex Junction: Dan Kerin
Hinesburg: Andrea Morgante
Huntington: Barbara Elliott
Jericho: Catherine McMains
Milton: Tony Micklus
Richmond: Bard Hill
Shelburne: John Zicconi
South Burlington: Chris Shaw
St. George: Jeff Pillsbury
Underhill: Brian Bigelow
Westford: Dave Tilton
Williston: Chris Roy,
Chair
Winooski: Michael O'Brien,
Vice Chair
For more information, including Commission agendas and minutes, schedule and resources,
click here.
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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
Bernie Ferenc, Transportation Business Manager
Christine Forde, AICP, Senior Transportation Planner
Peter Keating, Senior Transportation Planner
Lee Krohn, AICP, Senior Planner
Regina Mahony, AICP, Planning Program Manager
Melanie Needle, Senior Planner
Emily Nosse-Leirer, Planner
Sai Sarepalli, PE, Transportation Planning Engineer
Michelle Thibault, Finance Assistant
Emma Vaughn, Communications Manager
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Good morning,
The CCRPC, together with the Greater Burlington Industrial Corporation (GBIC), has released the first draft of the 2018 Chittenden County ECOS Plan for a 30-day public comment period concluding with a public hearing on February 21, 2018.
The ECOS Plan combines the Regional Plan, Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP), and the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) for Chittenden County. The full draft Plan, including six supplements, can be reviewed at:
http://www.ecosproject.com/2018-ecos-plan.
Purpose of this 2018 ECOS Plan update: CCRPC is responsible for long-term planning for our region. In 2013, we adopted the ECOS Plan - after a lot of dedicated work from more than 60 organizations including our member municipalities. The 2018 draft plan includes major updates to the energy, transportation, and economy sections, as well as minor updates including: strengthening and moving the implementation program to the front of the document, a reorganization of content, minor adjustments to the Planning Areas, an updated introduction to the health strategy, and inclusion of forest integrity. The energy update includes energy conservation, renewable energy generation and siting to meet the State's future energy goals and to address the enhanced energy requirements of Act 174.
The economy update was done in collaboration with GBIC and includes data, key issue and implementation updates to the CEDS. The transportation update includes an analysis of future needs and identification of projects and strategies to make our transportation system work as well as it can for all users given limited funding. The update includes investments and strategies to preserve our existing system and make improvements for drivers, pedestrians, bicyclists, transit riders, and freight movement.
A public hearing will be held on February 21, 2018 at 6:00pm in the Main Conference Room at the Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission (110 West Canal Street, Suite 202, Winooski, VT 05404). Comments can also be submitted via email through February 21 (
info@ccrpcvt.org) and online at
http://www.ecosproject.com/2018-ecos-plan.
We encourage you to review this first draft of the full 2018 ECOS Plan and submit your feedback by February 21.
Best regards,
Charlie Baker
Executive Director, CCRPC
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Implementing ECOS Strategy 2
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Winooski River Bridge Scoping Study Update; Local Concerns Meeting to be Held February 6
The CCRPC, in partnership with Winooski, Burlington and VTrans, have undertaken a scoping study for the US RTs 2/7 bridge over the Winooski River. The purpose of the project is to improve safety while maintaining structural integrity and continuity of this vital link between the two cities. The project will address deficiencies in the bridge while improving bike, pedestrian, and vehicular travel.
There are several issues and needs motivating the parties to look at this bridge at this time, including:
- To address the conditional deficiencies of this aging bridge structure as it is in the latter stage of its service life;
- To provide designated safe lanes for bicyclists;
- To continue providing the necessary two lanes of traffic in both directions, and
- To improve safety conditions for pedestrians.
There will be a local concerns and alternatives presentation on this project on February 6th at 6:30PM at the UVM Medical Center's McClure conference room off Colchester Avenue. Subsequent meetings will include the Winooski and Burlington City Councils in June, with a draft Scoping Report anticipated in July and Final Scoping Report in August.
Learn More »
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Downtown Transportation Fund and Electric Vehicle Charging Equipment Grant Announcement; Applications Due March 19
The Department of Housing and Community Development announced the availability of approximately $335,000 in Downtown Transportation Fund Grants to support revitalization efforts in Designated Downtowns and approximately $20,000 in Electric Vehicle Charging Equipment funding to support DC fast charge and Level 2 charging stations on publicly owned property in both Designated Downtowns and Designated Village Centers.
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"VTransparency" Webpage Revamped
VTransparency is a public information portal to provide access to data and promote transparency in the state transportation decision-making process. The VTransparency portal includes information related to road conditions and closures, crash data, bridge inspection reports, real-time snow plow locations and more.
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New Electric Bike Rebate Program for Burlington Electric Customers
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Green Mountain Transit Service Alerts
Occasionally, GMT makes service modifications due to weather, road conditions, construction, special events, etc. Check the Service Alerts page often for current service modifications and updates.
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New FHWA Pedestrian and Bicyclist Safety Information Search Tool
The FHWA's Safety Office just launched the Pedestrian and Bicyclist Safety Information Search Tool, a page-by-page assessment of more than 100 carefully selected reports, guidebooks, and training materials, cross-referenced by mode, the "Es" (Engineering, Education, Enforcement, Evaluation, etc.), topics addressed, and other categories. Reports and guidance documents abound for anyone engaged in planning, designing, or advocating for safe pedestrian and bicycle facilities. Learn More »
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Save the Date for the 2018 Vermont Walk/Bike Summit
The 2018 Vermont Walk/Bike Summit will be held on May 4, 2018 in White River Junction at the Barrette Center for the Arts. Stay tuned for more details!
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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 »
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Implementing ECOS Strategy 1
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Burlington Business Association 2018 Business Summit Video Available
This 1/18 event focused on the ways active and alternative modes of transportation are shaping the cities of our future.
Learn More »
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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 »
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Energy & Natural Resources
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Implementing ECOS Strategies 3 & 4
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Town Forest Recreation Initiative - Local Community Visits & Visioning Workshops (January 30 & 31)
The Vermont Town Forest Recreation Planning Project seeks to assist Vermont communities in building a local, regional, and statewide outdoor recreation economy and community vitality while protecting the integrity and the health of our critical forests. In 2018, they will be developing comprehensive action-oriented town forest stewardship and recreation plans in ten communities throughout Vermont. Based on the outcomes of these diverse forests and communities, they'll release a town forest recreation planning toolkit to support sustainable, forest-based recreation in town forests statewide. There are two
upcoming community visit and public visioning workshops in Chittenden County: January 30th in Huntington and January 31st in Hinesburg.
Learn More »
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National Park Service Accepting Proposals for the Save America's Treasures Grant Program
The National Park Service, in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the National Endowment for the Humanities, is now accepting applications for $5 million in matching grants to support the preservation of nationally significant historic properties and collections through the Save America's Treasures program. The deadline for applications through Grants.gov is February 21, 2018.
Learn More »
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DEC's new Environmental Notice Bulletin is now live
Act 150 passed in May 2016 to standardized and consolidate DEC public notice and comment processes. The law required DEC to establish an electronic uniform system and location for public notices via the Environmental Notice Bulletin (ENB). The ENB will provide the public with information about applications that are under consideration by DEC and includes permit, certification, and registration applications for most DEC programs.
Learn More »
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Vermont Clean Water Initiative 2017 Investment Report
Released on January 15, the Vermont Clean Water Initiative 2017 Investment Report summarizes: (a) state investments made in clean water improvement projects through grants, contracts, and loans, and (b) the results of state-funded clean water restoration activities completed within State Fiscal Year 2017, covering July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2017.
Learn More »
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Implementing ECOS Strategy 2
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Planning for the future of Vermont's forests
The University of Vermont Extension has developed two resources:
1.) Your Land, Your Legacy | A guide for landowners to get started on estate planning and transferring land to the next generation. Learn More »
2.) Their Land, Their Legacy | A guide for professionals to help landowners plan for their land.
Learn More »
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2018 ECOS Plan First Draft Available for Review & Comment
The CCRPC is embarking on the 2018 ECOS Plan, an update to the 2013 ECOS Plan. The first draft of the full Plan is available for review and comment through February 21, 2018. A public hearing will be held on February 21 at the CCRPC.
Learn More »
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Implementing ECOS Strategy 2
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Local Emergency Operations Plans Due Before May 1
Vermont Emergency Management and local partners are currently in the process of redesigning the LEOP template
. The new plan template will be more practical and action-oriented than in the past and will guide towns through the planning process more clearly.
It is expected that the new LEOP template will incorporate changes from the community and be finalized in late February 2018.
Communities may use the current LEOP template or the new one for this year's plan, which must be submitted after town meeting day and before May 1, 2018. Both can be found at: http://vem.vermont.gov/plans/local
Please
contact Lee Krohn, CCRPC Senior Planner, for further information or for assistance with updating your LEOP.
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Hazard Mitigation Grant Program Application Period Open
Following the damages across the State in late June-early July, Vermont received a Federal Disaster Declaration to assist in our recovery from the disaster. With this declaration, a new Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funding period is open through April 30, 2018. Learn more »
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Current Account Holders Need to Re-Register for VT-Alert Upgrade
VT-Alert is used by the state and local responders to notify the public of emergency situations. It has gone through a significant upgrade to further improve its capabilities for Vermonters. VT-Alert is the state's notification system for emergencies, Amber Alerts, weather, road conditions, and more. With this upgrade comes improved functionality, a new look, and a smartphone app
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Register or Re-Register Today »
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Regional Dispatch Implementation Study Update
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Implementing ECOS Strategies 5, 6 & 8
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Substance Use & Opiate Task Force Report Available
This report from Building Bright Futures highlights the importance of an integrated and coordinated system that is inclusive of families and children, as well as the connection between substance use and adverse childhood experiences.
Learn More »
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Blue Cross Report Shows Significant Drop in Opioids Prescribed by Doctors
A new Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont report shows there's been a dramatic reduction in the number of prescriptions being written for opioid pain medication in Vermont. Blue Cross officials says new state prescribing policies, which went into effect July 1, 2017, are a major factor in the decline.
Learn More »
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