REGIONAL NOTES
September 2017
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CCRPC Calendar of Events

All events held at the CCRPC unless otherwise noted. 


SEPTEMBER

9/26, 6:30pm: Malletts Bay Initiative Stormwater & Transportation Plan Project Meeting (781 Blakely Rd., Colchester)

OCTOBER

10/3, 9:00am: CCRPC Transportation Advisory Committee Meeting

10/3, 11:00am: CCRPC Clean Water Advisory Committee Meeting

10/3, 12:30pm: CCRPC MS-4 Sub-Committee Meeting

10/4, 5:45pm: CCRPC Executive Committee Meeting

10/10, 9:00am: CCRPC Local Emergency Planning Committee Meeting

10/18, 6:00pm: CCRPC Board Meeting
 
 
Around the County: Photo of the Month
 
Colchester Causeway 
 
Photo by Lee Krohn 
 
 
Chittenden County Traffic Alert Program

Construction season is here! Sign up for the CCRPC's Chittenden County Traffic Alert to stay in the know about all the latest construction projects, possible delays, and other important alerts throughout the busy construction season.

 

Volunteer with Neighbor Rides

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. This partnership uses volunteer drivers to leverage government and community-funded transportation programs and help more people by decreasing the cost per ride.

 
CCRPC 
Commission Representatives

Bolton: Joss Besse

Buel's Gore: Garret Mott

Burlington: Andy Montroll

Charlotte: Jim Donovan

Colchester: Marc Landry

Essex: Jeff Carr

Essex Junction: Dan Kerin

Hinesburg: Andrea Morgante

Huntington: Barbara Elliott

Jericho: Catherine McMains

Milton: Henry Bonges (Alt.)

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,

In the wake of the destruction from the hurricanes that recently struck the US, we wanted to call attention to National Preparedness Month, which takes place every September.
 
This year, National Preparedness Month (NPM) is focusing on planning, with the overarching theme: Disasters don't plan ahead. You can. The goal of NPM is to increase the overall number of individuals, families, and communities that engage in preparedness actions at home, work, business, school, and place of worship. Learn more about NPM here. In Vermont, there are many ways to stay informed and opportunities to get involved. Vermont Emergency Management (VEM) has a number of initiatives currently underway:
  • Vermont State Emergency Operations Plan Update: VEM is currently updating this plan, the basis for the State's emergency management system, which provides direction for state emergency management partners through all mission areas: prevention, protection, response, recovery, and mitigation. Learn more about the plan here.
  • Training Opportunities: VEM hosts a number of training sessions throughout the year; these are free to emergency responders, volunteers, or anyone who is interested in learning about emergency response. View a list of upcoming trainings here.
  • Family Emergency Preparedness Workbooks: VEM is distributing workbooks that include information on how to prepare for disasters and how you and your family can stay safe during an emergency. Contact Mark Bosma for more information and to request a copy. More information is also available here.
  • Develop a preparedness program for your business to plan for & reduce the impact of disasters: https://www.ready.gov/business
To stay informed and receive notifications about severe weather, road conditions, emergency situations and more, consider signing up for Vermont Alert. This free tool is available to all Vermonters, and users can choose which alerts they wish to receive and how they receive them (text, email, etc.). Learn more at https://www.vtalert.gov.
 
While we can't prevent every emergency, we can all do our part by making plans for ourselves and our families, as well as learning how to help within our communities.
 
For more information about emergency management within Chittenden County, contact Lee Krohn at the CCRPC.

Best Regards,

Charlie Baker
Executive Director, CCRPC
 
Transportation
Implementing ECOS Strategy 2
2017 Way to Go! School Challenge
New for 2017, Way to Go! will become a K-12 School Challenge! The Way to Go! School Challenge is a fun and easy way for schools to battle carbon pollution by encouraging students, staff and faculty to use efficient transportation. Simply walk, bike, roll, carpool, or take the bus anytime during the two-week Challenge September 25 - October 6. Check out this fun video to get inspired. Registration is open at www.WayToGoVT.org.
Temporary Crosswalk Added in Winooski Amid Construction
As part of an effort to make walking in Winooski safer for residents and students, the city added a temporary crosswalk to Main Street near Rite Aid. Learn More » 
GMT NextGen Transit Development Plan
Green Mountain Transit (GMT) is developing a NextGen Transit Development Plan that will improve service by identifying ways to better match service with current needs, make service simpler, more direct, faster, and more convenient. This is the first time that GMT has conducted a comprehensive effort of this type, and public and stakeholder input is critical to the project's success. 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
Investing in a Clean Water Economy: Sept. 27
Cleaning up our vital lakes and rivers is not a burden - this is an opportunity for Vermont to invest in a clean water economy that strengthens the environment and creates good-paying, local jobs. Join Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility on Sept. 27 in Burlington for this event.  Learn More »
Vermont Seizes Climate Change Economic Growth and Resource Renewal Opportunities
Start-up or seed stage ventures from across North America interested in solving one of the most pressing electric grid issues facing the U.S.-integration of distributed renewable energy, efficiency, and storage technologies with the grid - are invited to apply to Accel-VT. 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
2017 Button Up Vermont Registration is Open
Community groups are now welcome to sign up to participate in the 2017 Button Up Vermont campaign.  Button Up Vermont is a community-based, public outreach campaign to promote home energy efficiency improvements - particularly helping people reduce heating and cooling costs. Community partner registration closes on September 30, 2017. Learn More »
$40k Farm Grants Available - First Deadline: Oct. 13
The Vermont Farm & Forest Viability Program, a program of the Vermont Housing & Conservation Board, announced today the availability of grant funds for on-farm capital improvement projects. Eligible farmers can apply for Water Quality Grants or Dairy Improvement Grants, both of which allow up to $40,000 in funding. Learn More »
VT Agency of Agriculture Fall Photo Contest - Deadline: Oct. 30
Agriculture is part of the beauty of our state, and there's perhaps no time of year when Vermont is more gorgeous than fall. That's why the Agency of Agriculture is hosting the #FarmLeafies fall farm photo contest - to showcase the beautiful barns, animals, orchards, foliage, and farm vistas that make Vermont so scenic. Learn More »
New Video: Why Electric Cars Matter
Drive Electric Vermont's new video helps tell the story of how we can all breathe easier with lower emissions, less fuel consumption, and a healthier environment. Learn More »
 
Quality of Place
Implementing ECOS Strategy 2
Municipal Planning Grants: Applications Due October 2
Up to $20,000 will be awarded to eligible municipalities chosen through a competitive selection process. See the FY18 MPG Program Description for details on eligibility, funding and the competitive criteria. Grant applications are due Monday, October 2, 2017 and grants will be awarded by mid-December. For FY18, the statewide priorities will focus on plans, bylaws and studies for villages, downtowns, and walkable neighborhoods with an emphasis on housing, and on correcting conflicts and inconsistencies in plans and bylaws. All applications must be submitted through the online grants management system. Applications can be developed offline first using the Application Instructions and resources available on the Applicant Guidance page.
Fall Planning & Zoning Forum: Nov. 1, South Burlington
This workshop offers municipal planning and zoning officials a dynamic mix of legal information, practical solutions, and policy discussions, as well as many opportunities to ask questions and share experiences. Learn More »
Agreement Reached on Affordable Homeownership at Cambrian Rise
The Champlain Housing Trust and Eric Farrell announced that an agreement has been reached on the development of 30 affordable condominiums on the former Burlington College land now known as Cambrian Rise. This will be the first of what is expected to be a two phase project. Learn More »
 
Emergency Preparedness
Implementing ECOS Strategy 2
Dam Safety Seminar: Sept. 28
Learn about dam safety, regulations, and emergency preparedness measures from experts in the field. September 28, 5:30-730pm at the Waterbury Municipal Office - Steel Community Room. Learn More »
Rail Car Incident Response Training: Oct. 7, Berlin
Vermont Emergency Management is sponsoring AWR 147: Rail Car Incident Response, an 8-hour, awareness level course developed to educate rural emergency responders on freight rail car incidents involving hazardous materials. Click here to register by September 23. For more information contact Brittany Marquette at 802-241-5414 or DPS.EMHSTraining@vermont.gov. 
FEMA Announces Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM) and Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) Grant Programs
FEMA has released their Notice of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs) for both the Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM) and Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) grant programs for FY17. The application period opened on August 14 and will close on November 14.
  • PDM: Vermont will receive a $575,000 (federal share) set-aside for eligible projects/plans under PDM, in addition to the chance to apply for up to 15% of the PDM funding allocation for competitive projects. Read more here.
  • FMA: $160 million has been obligated to FMA for FY17, with a prioritization of $70 million on flood mitigation projects. FEMA has determined that Advance Assistance funding will be provided to develop potential mitigation projects and acquire the data necessary to create eligible and robust applications in future rounds of funding. FMA funding can also be used for floodplain restoration projects that benefit NFIP-insured properties and those communities in good standing with NFIP. Read more here.
Contact Lauren Oates with potential project ideas, Desk: (802) 241-5363, Cell: (802) 798-2084. Eligible applicants must apply for funding through the Mitigation eGrants system on the FEMA Grants Portal accessible at https://portal.fema.gov
 
Social Community
Implementing ECOS Strategies 5, 6 & 8
Step Into Action Recovery Walk: Sept. 23
Since 2013, the Step Into Action Recovery Walk celebrates and recognizes those in recovery from addiction, builds community awareness that recovery works, and provides education on the different pathways to recovery -- all while raising money to support local non-profit recovery resources across the state . This year, join us on Saturday, September 23 from 10:00am-3:00pm. Walk the streets of Burlington and gather at the celebration rally! Families welcome. Learn More »
Free Talk: Bridge Divides with Discourse that's Civil: Sept. 28
Communities thrive when people in them know how to listen to each other. Join this free talk for insight and practical ideas and tools for advancing civil discourse from nationally-recognized expert in the field, Carolyn J. Lukensmeyer, Ph. D. and Mayor Thom Harnett of Gardiner, Maine, who has led his way in welcoming new residents and embracing the value they bring to the small town, sometimes in the face of protest. Learn More »
Mural Brightens Industrial Park in Milton
The Gardener's Supply warehouse off Route 7 in Industrial Park in Milton is the new home of a large mural featuring painted flowers, a hummingbird and butterflyMeasuring nearly 3,750 square feet, the mural, painted by Sarah Rutherford, is now one of the first vistas commuters see after crossing the town line from Colchester. 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.
Vermont Prescription Monitoring System Quarterly Report Released; Feedback Requested
The Vermont Prescription Monitoring System (VPMS) collects, monitors and analyzes electronically transmitted prescribing and dispensing data submitted by pharmacies and participating practioners. The data collected will provide valuable insight in prescribing trends over the course of the year. The first VPMS quarterly report was released in August. As these are the first quarterly reports, the Vermont Department of Health is asking for feedback. By providing feedback, using the Q1 Usefulness Survey, users can help shape future VPMS reports to provide more actionable insight.
 
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.