REGIONAL NOTES
November 2017
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CCRPC Calendar of Events

All events held at the CCRPC unless otherwise noted. 


DECEMBER

12/5, 9:00am: CCRPC Transportation Advisory Committee Meeting

12/5, 11:00am: CCRPC Clean Water Advisory Committee Meeting

12/5, 12:30pm: CCRPC MS-4 Sub-Committee Meeting

12/6, 5:45pm: CCRPC Executive Committee Meeting

12/12, 7:30am: Chittenden County Municipal Legislative Breakfast (Trader Duke's Hotel, South Burlington)

12/20: -CANCELED- CCRPC Board Meeting
 
 
Around the County: Photo of the Month
   A tree down in Shelburne, following the October 29-30 wind storm that caused widespread damage across the state.
 
Photo by Lee Krohn 

Click photo to enlarge
 

Winter Efficiency Tip: Get ENERGY STAR LEDs

Shorter days and longer nights mean you are likely using more electricity for lighting. Don't let fall and winter get the best of your energy bills. ENERGY STAR® LEDs can help you save-try all our great tips to help you save on lighting this winter.

 
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.
 
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, Business Manager

Bryan Davis, AICP, Senior Transportation Planner

Marshall Distel, Transportation Planner

Chris Dubin, Transportation Planner

Bernie Ferenc, Transportation Business Manager

Sam Francis-Fath, CCOA Data Manager

Christine Forde, AICP, Senior Transportation Planner

Tori Houston, CCOA Communications/Admin Coordinator

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-Hatch, Finance Assistant

Emma Vaughn, Communications Manager

For bios and contact information, click here.
 
Good morning,

Last month, we provided an overview of the current process we're undertaking to update the 2013 ECOS Regional Plan. The first section (energy) has been out for public comment over the last few weeks, and the final day to share your feedback is this Wednesday, November 22nd. These documents are available at: http://www.ecosproject.com/2018-ECOS-Plan/#energy

The next draft section (economy) is now available for public review and comment through December 8th. The Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) i s being updated in collaboration with GBIC ( Greater Burlington Industrial Corporation) . This update includes issues such as labor force changes, work force education and skills, wages, housing, development, and how to better support our entrepreneurs and employers. A brief overview of the update and the full draft CEDS are available for review and comment at:
http://www.ecosproject.com/2018-ecos-plan

We have received many great comments so far; thank you in advance to everyone who takes the time to review these drafts that will become the 2018 ECOS Regional Plan. The next draft section, focusing on transportation, will be released in December.

For more information on the ECOS Plan and the update process, please visit: http://www.ecosproject.com/2018-ecos-plan. If you have any questions or would like to share any general thoughts, please contact info@ccrpcvt.org.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Best regards,

Charlie Baker
Executive Director, CCRPC
 
Transportation
Implementing ECOS Strategy 2
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!
Burlington Cutting Back Parking Enforcement Hours Downtown
The Public Works Commission voted to cut back enforcement hours downtown. The old hours were 8 a.m. To 10 p.m., and the new hours will be 9 a.m. to 9 p.mLearn More »
Vermont Ranked 14th in Bicycle Friendly State Listing
The League of American Bicyclists has released its 2017 Bicycle Friendly State ranking, with Vermont listed at number 14. The ranking relies upon 106 data points compiled from publicly available data and survey responses from state Departments of Transportation and statewide bicycle advocates. Each state is ranked and receives a report card that highlights key data, category scores, and provides a short summary for each state.
Free Videos: "Strategic Approaches to Policy Development and Engaging Diverse Communities"
The Transportation Research Board recorded a series of videos in October 2017 featuring information about how the Massachusetts Department of Transportation and the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority reviewed their internal processes and structures to consider long-range issues and trends to implement strategic change in their agencies. The videos are available at no costLearn 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
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
Vermont Council on Rural Development Invites Community Applications for 2018 Climate Economy Model Communities Programs
VCRD invites communities interested in charting a path to a more prosperous and self-sufficient future to participate in the 2018 Climate Economy Model Communities Program. A collaboration of VCRD, Efficiency Vermont, Vermont's utilities and other partners, the Program works with two communities annually to help build and implement locally developed plans that increase economic opportunity, affordability, and resilience in the face of climate change. VCRD has released a Request-For-Proposals soliciting applications with a deadline of December 18 to apply. A copy of the RFP and more details about the program can be found here » 
Vermont Local Update of Census Address (LUCA) Workshops: November 30 & December 1
The U.S. Census Bureau is offering LUCA 2020 Workshops for Vermont cities and towns, in partnership with the Vermont State Data Center and the Vermont Center for Geographic Information. Workshops will be hosted at multiple sites: November 30 in Montpelier, and December 1 in Manchester.

Why participate in LUCA?
* To help ensure an accurate decennial census count in your community.
* To help the federal government distribute more than $400 billion in funds annually for infrastructure, programs, and services.
* To help your community plan for future needs.
 
During the LUCA 2020 Workshop, the U.S. Census Bureau will review the three options available for LUCA participation. It will discuss the free software tool available (GUPS) to review and update the census address list. This workshop will show municipalities how to prepare, register, and participate in this important program for their communities. The demonstration will provide examples of resources to help your city or town get an early start on LUCA 2020. 
Learn More »
Burlington Program Helps Residents Reduce Energy Use
Through the Burlington Electric Department and Vermont Gas' shared energyChamp program, Burlington renters and homeowners can learn how their energy use compares to that of other residents, receive energy-saving rebates, get help on strategic home improvements and assist the city in reaching its net-zero energy goal.  Learn More » 
Will Heat Pumps Work in a Cold Climate?
The short answer is yes, but you should have backup heating for days when temps fall below -15 degrees F. Get all your questions about heat pumps answered in this simple, easy-to-read guide to whether heat pumps are right for your home.  Learn More »
 
Quality of Place
Implementing ECOS Strategy 2
Chittenden County ECOS Plan Update
The Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission is embarking on the 2018 ECOS Plan, an update to the 2013 ECOS Plan. This update will focus mainly on updates to the Metropolitan Transportation Plan, Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy, and will serve as the Region's Enhanced Energy Plan. The CCRPC's Long-Range Planning Committee is leading this effort, along with assistance from sub-committees and the Transportation Advisory Committee. Additionally, the Transportation Demand Model is being updated to enhance to region's travel forecasting capabilities and to inform the transportation sections of the Plan. There will be a number of opportunities to participate throughout this update process.   Learn More »
 
Emergency Preparedness
Implementing ECOS Strategy 2
Regional Dispatch Implementation Study Update
This project seeks to better coordinate emergency services among neighboring communities in Chittenden County. View the latest project update and learn more »
 
Social Community
Implementing ECOS Strategies 5, 6 & 8
New Public Engagement Guide for Vermont Communities
Vermont has a long tradition of public engagement, from the centuries-old town meeting to modern day online forums. But while Vermonters may feel that they want to engage in our myriad democratic opportunities, it is clear that many of the conventional opportunities for engagement aren't working so well. Strengthening and Sustaining Public Engagement in Vermont: A Planning Guide for Communities was created by Public Agenda with support from the Innovations and Collaborations program at the Vermont Community Foundation. This is a guide for all Vermonters -- including people working in school systems or local governments, elected officials and all Vermont residents who want to be meaningfully engaged in the public life of their communities. Learn more: https://www.publicagenda.org/media/public-engagement-in-vermont
Burlington to Use Grant to Fight Child Care Shortage
Burlington will start committing a half million dollars per year to promote expanding early education programs, helping to alleviate a dire shortage of care and education space for young children in the city. A fter years of talk and studies, the city has picked  Vermont Birth to Five , a statewide early education organization, to distribute a half million dollars per year in city grant money to Burlington child care providers.   Learn More »
CCOA Opioid Scorecard
The Chittenden County Opioid Alliance (CCOA) Scorecard contains indicators chosen to best measure the work the Alliance is doing. Data on the Scorecard is specific to Chittenden County's opioid crisis with context and data comparisons to national trends. Scorecard Metrics include: # of accidental opioid overdose fatalities in Chittenden County, # of opioid-related Emergency Department visits at UVM Medical Center and average time spent on Chittenden County treatment hub wait list. To see more metrics and learn specifics about the work the Alliance is measuring, click here.
 
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.