REGIONAL NOTES
March 2019
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CCRPC Calendar of Events

All events held at the CCRPC unless otherwise noted. 


MARCH

3/27, 5:45pm: CCRPC Finance Committee Meeting

APRIL

4/2, 9:00am: Transportation Advisory Committee Meeting

4/2, 11:00am: Clean Water Advisory Committee Meeting

4/2, 12:00pm: Clean Water Advisory Committee MS-4 Sub-Committee Meeting

4/3, 5:45pm: CCRPC Executive Committee Meeting

4/9, 9:00am: Local Emergency Planning Committee Meeting (LEPC-1)

4/10, 2:30pm: CCRPC Planning Advisory Committee

4/17, 6:00pm: CCRPC Board Meeting

 

Around the County: Photo of the Month

The sun sets at Bolton Valley.

Photo by Jason Charest

Click Image to Enlarge
 

Coming Soon: 2019 Chittenden County Traffic Alert Program

The CCRPC's Traffic Alert program will resume in April 2019. 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.

 

Electric Vehicles: Your Top Questions Answered

Electric cars can save you money on fuel and reduce your carbon footprint. More Vermonters are plugging in, but there's a few things to consider before you make the switch. Below, we answer your most frequently asked questions.

 

Neighbor Rides Program & Volunteer Opportunities

Neighbor Rides is a strategic initiative of United Way of Northwest Vermont supported by a dynamic group of community partners that brings people and places together to help meet the transportation needs of seniors and persons with disabilities.

 
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

Amy Irvin Witham, Business Office Associate

Marshall Distel, Transportation Planner

Chris Dubin, Transportation Planner

Bernie Ferenc, Transportation Business Manager

Christine Forde, AICP, Senior Transportation Planner

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.
 
Happy spring!
 
After developing and refining the NextGen service plan over the last year, Green Mountain Transit (GMT) is getting ready to implement its new service structure. Over the next few weeks, many public meetings will be held throughout the region to discuss upcoming changes to the system, including new route/service structure, fare changes, and how passengers will be affected. Whether you're a current bus rider or new to public transit, we encourage you to join GMT to learn more.
 
Informational meetings will be held in a number of Chittenden County municipalities through April 10th as listed below:
 
Shelburne
Shelburne Town Office, Meeting Rm 1
5420 Shelburne Road, Shelburne, VT 05482
Wed., March 27, 5pm
Williston
Williston Town Hall, Town Hall Meeting Rm
7900 Williston Road, Williston, VT 05495
Mon., April 1,  5pm
Winooski
Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission
110 W Canal St #202, Winooski, VT 05404
Tues., April 2, 9-11am
Winooski
Winooski City Hall, Council Chambers
27 W. Allen Street, Winooski, VT 05404
Tues., April 2, 5pm
South Burlington
South Burlington Police Department, Miller Room
19 Gregory Drive, South Burlington, VT 05403
Thurs., April 4, 5pm
Essex
Village of Essex Junction Municipal Offices
2 Lincoln St, Essex Junction, VT 05452
Mon., April 8, 5:30-7pm
Milton
Milton Public Library, Community Room
39 Bombardier Road, Milton, VT 05468
Tues., April 9, 5pm
Burlington
Burlington City Hall, Contois Auditorium
149 Church Street, Burlington VT 05401
Wed., April 10, 5:30-7pm
 
If you're unable to attend one of the public meetings but would like to make a comment or seek more information, you can do so by emailing: [email protected]. Learn more about the NextGen planning and implementation process at: ridegmt.com/nextgen.
 
Best regards,

Charlie Baker
Executive Director, CCRPC
 
Of Note
CCRPC Internships Available: Full-Time Technician & Part-Time GIS Technician
The Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission seeks interns for June-August for the role of full-time Technician (applications due April 5), and for April-November for the part-time role of GIS Technician (applications due March 31) Learn More »
 
Transportation
Implementing ECOS Strategy 2
Public Participation Opportunity: Regional Shared Mobility Analysis and Recommendations
We need your input! The CCRPC, working with Toole Design, is analyzing phase 1 of Greenride Bikeshare and will make recommendations on potential expansion opportunities.
Visit the project webpage or contact Bryan Davis ([email protected] (802) 861-0129) for more information .
Safe Routes to School, Safe Routes for All Annual Gathering: April 11
This event will bring together educators, planners, public health professionals, activists, and other safe routes champions. 
Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment Grants Available; Applications Due April 30
Up to $2 million in grants are available to install charging equipment at qualified locations within Vermont.  Learn More »
Winooski Avenue Transportation Study Update
Based on input from the public and project stakeholders, the first draft of concept designs are being presented to the Project Advisory Committee on March 26. Planning is underway for an April road show to share these initial concepts to the public through a public open house, Burlington's NPA meetings, stakeholder meetings and more. Visit the project webpage to review the concepts and other project documents. Public meeting dates will be posted when confirmed .
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
Save the Date - Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility 29th Annual Spring Conference: May 15
Join the VBSR for a full day of education, inspiration, and networking on May 15, 2019, at the University of VermontLearn More »
2020 Census Hiring Ramps Up
The Census Bureau has begun recruiting and hiring people to work on an important preliminary operation for the 2020 Census that begins in AugustLearn More »
Leadership Champlain Class of 2020 Applications Due June 1
Leadership Champlain is the professional development and community engagement program of the Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce with a mission to foster growth and leadership in professionals who will serve our community now and in the future 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
Rethink Runoff Featured in World Water: Stormwater Management Magazine
Rethink Runoff, a multi-year campaign managed by the CCRPC, helps to educate residents in nine MS-4 communities on the impacts of stormwater, its effects on water quality, and the actions that individuals can take to address the problem. Rethink Runoff has been featured in the spring issue of World Water: Stormwater Management magazine (page 20).
EAN 2018 Annual Progress Report Published
EAN, a Montpelier based non-profit, works with state and federal partners to compile the comprehensive total energy and emissions progress report for Vermont each year.  
Williston Revises Residential Growth Management Allocation System
Williston has revised their Residential Growth Management Allocation system to include provisions which will help the town generate more renewable energy and reduce energy consumption in buildings and from transportation. Projects permitted under the growth management allocation system have the opportunity to compete for sewer allocation by providing onsite renewable energy generation, energy storage, constructing energy efficient buildings or sustainable transportation facilities.
Winooski NRCD 36th Annual Tree and Trout Sale: Orders Due March 31
The Winooski Natural Resources Conservation District hosts the annual tree and trout sale as a service to residents of the District, offering a wide selection of native and locally-sourced tree and shrub species for home, garden, and conservation projects at reasonable bulk order prices. All proceeds from this fundraiser are used to develop and implement on-the-ground projects that protect our natural resources including riparian and shoreline buffer plantings, agricultural water quality assistance, stormwater mitigation, fish habitat restoration, and culvert replacements.
Vermont Tree Stewards Awards: Nominations Due March 31
Each year the Vermont Urban & Community Forestry Program and Council sponsors the Vermont Tree Stewards Awards as a way to recognize our state's urban and community forestry champions.
The Lake Between Conference: April 8
The Lake Between brings together leading academics, business leaders, and public servants to examine Lake Champlain -- an international body of water that links our histories, our economies and the shared management of our natural environment.
Burlington Rain Barrel Workshop: May 4
On May 4, l earn how to build, install and maintain your own rain barrel! Rain barrels allow you to capture a free resource (rainwater!) to use on your lawn or garden, for washing your car or for cleaning tools. Rain barrels help decrease runoff to Lake Champlain by capturing and holding rain water during a storm, and that means cleaner water for everyone.
 
Emergency Preparedness
Implementing ECOS Strategy 2
Reminder: LEMPs Due May 1
This is a reminder that the new Local Emergency Management Plan (LEMP) is due May 1st. The LEMP is replacing the Local Emergency Operations Plan (LEOP). A current local emergency plan is also required for municipalities to receive federal preparedness funds and increased state reimbursement through the Emergency Relief and Assistance Fund (ERAF). The new LEMP format is intended to be more user friendly for towns during a disaster. If your municipality would like assistance with completing the LEMP or if you have any questions, please contact Christine Forde Learn More »
Flood Training Website
FloodTraining.vermont.gov is available for administrative officers (AO) of municipal flood hazard and river corridor bylaws. The site features tools and case studies for AOs, members of Development Review Boards and other community officials. The new site complements FloodReady.vermont.gov with its focus on community planning for flood resilience, and the technical materials available at the DEC Rivers page. Learn More »
 
Quality of Place
Implementing ECOS Strategy 2
South Burlington's Underwood Park Master Plan Earns Award
Awards are given to projects, either completed or in the conceptual stage, which create, preserve or enhance interior or exterior public space or link open spaces through connective corridors in the state. Learn More »
74th Town Officers' Education Conferences: April 4 & 11
Each year, TOEC provides training for more than 300 municipal officials and citizen volunteers in two Vermont locations. The conferences, going into their 74th year, are organized by University of Vermont Extension in partnership with several participating organizations. They are designed to help town clerks, planners, listers, select board members and other officials do their jobs more effectively by providing updates on tax laws and regulations, municipal recordkeeping and effective strategies for handling planning, zoning and other town issues. Learn More »
2018 ECOS Annual Report: The State of Chittenden County
In an effort to track progress made on all goals in the Chittenden County ECOS Regional Plan, the ECOS Partnership monitors 90+ indicators over the year and compiles the ECOS Annual Report: The State of Chittenden County, an infographic summary that highlights a number of regional trends and accomplishments. 
 
Social Community
Implementing ECOS Strategy 2
Williston Substance Use & Prevention Forum: April 10
The Town of Williston is hosting a substance use and prevention forum with a focus on our community's youth. This will be the first in what is hoped to be an ongoing dialogue about the brain chemistry of addiction and strategies for prevention.  Learn More »
United Way of Northwest Vermont CrowdRise Campaign to Expand Working Bridges Program
Can you help expand the Working Bridges program throughout Northwest Vermont? As part of a competitive grant opportunity through USAToday network and CrowdRise, United Way of Northwest Vermont is in the running to win $100,000 -- but must raise $6,000 on its own by April 12 to qualify. Learn More »
2019 Diversity Conference: April 12
The 2019 Diversity Conference, sponsored by the Greater Burlington Multicultural Resource Center, will explore the challenges and possibilities that are faced in creating a diverse workplace and will examine the leadership traits needed to empower ourselves and our communities of color Learn More »
Burlington City Arts Community Fund: 2019 Grant Applications Due April 15
Applications are being accepted for the 2019 grants, which provide up to $3,500 to Burlington-based artists or small arts organizations to "develop projects that engage the community and address community needs, challenges and priorities through the arts." Learn More » 
2019 Community Health Needs Assessment Available
The University of Vermont Medical Center routinely conducts community health needs assessments to understand current health trends, needs, and assets. Community assessments help to identify areas of focus for the UVM Medical Center and are an integral resource for its community benefits plan.  Learn More »
Do Your Part: Vermont's Prescription Drug Disposal System
When you properly store and get rid of unused medications, you're doing your part to keep Vermonters -- and Vermont -- healthy and safe. The Vermont Department of Health has many resources available, and the next National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is April 27, 2019.  Learn More » 
Chittenden County Opioid Alliance Announces New Website
The Chittenden County Opioid Alliance is based on the premise that no one organization can reduce the burden of the opioid crisis in Chittenden County alone. Visit their new website to  learn more »
 
If you have any questions, feedback, or suggested content for upcoming issues, please contact Emma Vaughn, Communications Manager: [email protected] or (802) 846-4490 x *21.