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CMRPC Newsletter December 2024 | |
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January 2025 Quarterly Meeting: The Economic Benefits of Outdoor Recreation
January 9, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. Register for the Virtual Quarterly Meeting
Legislative Affairs Breakfast: Advancing Traffic & Pedestrian Safety January 17, 2025 at 10:30 a.m. Charlton Public Library - Register for the Breakfast
Annual Meeting & Awards Dinner June 12, 2025 at Salem Cross Inn, West Brookfield
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Advancing Accessibility: Grant Awards for Charlton and Hubbardston | |
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CMRPC is pleased to announce that Charlton and Hubbardston have been awarded funding to update their ADA Self-Evaluation and Transition Plans. These projects will identify and address accessibility barriers in municipal buildings, public spaces, and services, ensuring compliance with ADA standards and fostering inclusivity.
These projects demonstrate a commitment from both towns to creating safe and accessible environments for all residents and visitors. The updated plans will provide actionable roadmaps for improving accessibility, enabling these communities to prioritize equitable access to their facilities and programs.
CMRPC is proud to support Charlton and Hubbardston in these efforts and encourages other towns to take proactive steps toward inclusivity. Accessibility planning is an essential foundation for fostering equity and creating a welcoming environment for all. For assistance with ADA planning and funding opportunities, contact the Director of Regional Services, Connor Robichaud crobichaud@cmrpc.org
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Engaging Communities, Maximizing Resources: CMRPC Celebrates Two Grant Awards | |
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CMRPC is proud to announce two major grants totaling $113,500 from the Community Compact Cabinet Efficiency and Regionalization (E&R) Program for Fiscal Year 2025.
A $90,000 grant will support facility and program planning for the Wachusett Regional School District (WRSD) and its five member towns. This project will build on an Enrollment Projections Report to bring together community voices—students, parents, educators, and municipal leaders—to shape a shared vision for WRSD’s future. It focuses on maximizing existing school facilities, aligning them with educational goals, and creating a roadmap for long-term sustainability.
The second grant, for $23,500, will explore a shared animal control services model for Charlton, Southbridge, Oxford, North Brookfield, and nearby towns. The study will assess current operations and propose ways to share resources like staff and facilities, improving efficiency and service delivery. These grants highlight CMRPC’s commitment to fostering regional collaboration and creating lasting benefits for Central Massachusetts. To explore regionalization efforts in Central Massachusetts, contact the Director of Regional Services, Connor Robichaud at crobichaud@cmrpc.org
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Dudley Site-Specific
Economic Development Plan
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In November, CMRPC completed a site-specific economic development plan on behalf of the Town of Dudley.
The plan studied a collection of areas and properties identified as candidates for development or reuse by the Dudley Economic Development Committee (EDC). Analysis of local and regional market conditions; zoning, environmental, and other regulations; and community input was leveraged to identify potential reuse and development options. Reforms to the Town Zoning Bylaw were also suggested to facilitate development and reuse of sites. The plan could not have been completed without valuable contributions from the Dudley EDC and Town staff.
The site-specific economic development plan is available to be read online as a StoryMap. The StoryMap includes interactive maps that allow readers to explore the sites in question and their surroundings. The plan was funded by a Fiscal Year 2024 Community Compact grant awarded to Dudley by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
For more information, contact Kerrie Salwa, Director of Economic Development at ksalwa@cmrpc.org
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Draft Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Regulations Update | |
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On December 10th, CMRPC staff hosted their second Peer to Peer ADU Workshop, aimed at helping Planning Board members and municipal planning staff navigate Section 8 of the Affordable Homes Act, legislation signed into law by Governor Healy to allow the construction of Accessory Dwelling Units by-right across Massachusetts.
The event began with a presentation from Catherine Neill, ADU Housing Coordinator for the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities, on newly released Draft Regulations, which when finalized will help communities navigate the new law.
Planning Board members and municipal planning staff from around Central Massachusetts brought forward questions and commentary on the draft regulations.
Questions were answered by Catherine Neill, Assistant Attorney General Margaret Hurley, CMRPC Project Manager Jane Wyrick, and CMRPC Associate Planner Gabe Trevor.
The draft regulations are available at mass.gov/adu. There will be a formal public comment period from December 20 to January 10 2025, with a hybrid public hearing held on January 10th. EOHLC intends to issue final regulations by February 2, 2025, the date the law goes into effect for communities.
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Regional Bicycle Plan Interactive Map | |
State is Now Accepting Culvert Replacement Project Inquiries | |
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The Division of Ecological Restoration (DER) is now accepting Project Inquiry/Expression of Interest calls for potential culvert replacement and removal projects. The call is an opportunity to schedule a 30 minute conversation with DER staff to discuss a potential culvert replacement or removal project idea or site(s). DER staff will ask you to provide some information on the status and location of your potential project to allow them to be prepared to discuss the potential project with you.
To schedule a call with DER staff, please fill out the Project Inquiry Form before January 10, 2025. This call is a great time to speak with DER staff ahead of the annual grant round that is anticipated Spring 2025. Among those includes the Culvert Replacement Municipal Assistance (CRMA) Grant, which has supported projects to replace or remove undersized, perched, and/or degraded culverts located in areas of high ecological value.
CMRPC staff assisted the Town of Warren to receive a CRMA grant award during the most recent grant round. For more information, please visit the DER's CRMA Grant Program webpage and contact Zack Blais at zblais@cmrpc.org
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Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Year in Review | |
CMRPC’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) team spearheads neighborhood infrastructure improvement projects as part of our broader CDBG program.
In 2024, infrastructure improvements were substantially completed in 4 partner communities: Warren, Athol, Brookfield, and Millbury (two projects).
These improvements include:
- 2,750 feet of drainage pipes,
- 3,905 feet of sidewalk,
- 5,990 feet of curbing,
- And 3,350 feet of water mains installed.
Projects in several other partner towns remain underway or are planned to launch in the Spring. The CDBG team looks forward to another successful year in 2025! For more information, contact Andrew Loew, Director of Community Development at aloew@cmrpc.org
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CMRPC Staffer Honored as Massachusetts Rising Planner of the Year | |
On December 13, practitioners from around the state convened for the 2024 Massachusetts American Planning Association (MA-APA) Awards. CMRPC Principal Planner Sarah O’Brien, AICP, was recognized, having received the Rising Planner of the Year award. This prestigious state-level award is given annually to an early-career planner who has excelled in leadership and increased the impact of planning in public and/or private decision-making. Sarah was nominated for her efforts leading CMRPC's Imagine2050 Regional Plan community engagement campaign. With Sarah at the helm, Imagine2050 has touched thousands of stakeholders and extended CMRPC’s reach as a regional planning agency. Congratulations Sarah!
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CMRPC Quarterly Meeting: The Economic Benefits of Outdoor Recreation | |
Join us on Thursday, January 9, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. for CMRPC's Virtual Quarterly Meeting. Learn more about the economic benefits outdoor recreation has on our region.
During the meeting, there will be a brief presentation regarding the Regional Plan, Imagine 2050.
Register online today for the virtual Quarterly Meeting!
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Grant & Funding Opportunities | |
If you are looking for assistance on how to fund, implement, and execute a project or initiative, contact CMRPC and brainstorm with us. Assistance is subject to capacity, municipal need, and competitiveness. Visit CMRPC's website for a complete list of Grant & Funding Opportunities CMRPC is tracking.
In the November Newsletter, CMRPC incorrectly listed the MassTrails Grant application deadline. The correct deadline is February 3, 2025 at 11:59 p.m.
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District Local Technical Assistance
Call for Concepts Now Open | |
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CMRPC is accepting project concepts for the 2025 District Local Technical Assistance (DLTA) program. This is an opportunity for your municipality to work with CMRPC on innovative local programs and planning initiatives!
Apply by Tuesday, January 7, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. for your project to receive first-round consideration.
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Central Region Homeland Security Advisory Council (CRHSAC) | |
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Winter storms are arriving soon so below are some winter storm safety tips from MEMA and Mass.gov.
Before a winter storm:
- Be informed by receiving alerts and warnings from local and state agencies
- Create and review a family emergency plan
- Assemble an emergency kit
- Prepare homes by removing dead trees/ branches, clear clogged rain gutters, and ensure smoke/ carbon monoxide alarms are working
- Ensure all vehicles are ready for winter driving
During a winter storm:
- Minimize outdoor activities and drive only if absolutely necessary
- Keep pets safe and warm inside
- Dress for the season with several layers of clothing
After a winter storm:
- Continue to monitor media for emergency information
- Report on all downed power lines and gas leaks. Make sure to stay away.
- Call 211 to find shelter and current, nonemergency weather information
- Use caution and take frequent breaks when shoveling to prevent overexertion
- Dig out fire hydrants, storm drains, and sidewalks on your property
- Clear snow off roofs to prevent cave ins
- Ensure all vehicle exhaust pipes are clear before starting
- Check on neighbors, friends, and family
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Legislative Affairs Breakfast: Advancing Traffic & Pedestrian Safety | |
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Join us at the Charlton Public Library for CMRPC's Legislative Affairs Breakfast on Friday, January 17, 2025 at 10:30 a.m.
The breakfast will bring together State and local government officials, community leaders, and transportation experts to explore solutions for improving the safety of vulnerable road users, including pedestrians, cyclists, and those with disabilities.
A light continental breakfast will be served. Register online today!
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Citizen Planner Training Collaborative Webinar Series - Registration Now Open | |
The Citizens Planner Training Collaborative (CPTC) is a collaboration of citizens, nonprofit organizations and government agencies dedicated to providing essential and advanced training to citizen and professional planners involved in municipal planning and land use in Massachusetts. View the upcoming Fall and Winter webinars:
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Site Plan Review January 6, 2025, 6:00 p.m.
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Special Permits and Variances January 8, 2025, 5:30 p.m.
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Writing Reasonable and Defensible Decisions January 13, 2025, 6:00 p.m.
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Community Snapshot Data Digest | |
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The following updates have been made to the CMRPC Community Snapshots in November:
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CMRPC Parking monitoring dashboard updated though November.
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The 2019-2023 ACS was just released. CMRPC will work to add this data into the Community Snapshots over the next couple months.
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Traffic counts have been updated in the town views to show the most recent count data for all locations from 1983 - 2023. For all traffic count data please see the traffic count book in the resource library. Following the completion of the data collection season all 2024 data will be added to the dataset.
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CMRPC Welcomes New Staff Members | |
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Taru joined CMRPC as a Principal Resiliency Planner on December 9, 2024. She completed her PhD in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor in August 2024 and holds a Master of Regional Planning (MRP) from Cornell University and a Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch) from Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi. While at the University of Michigan, Taru worked as a Research Associate with the Detroit River Story Lab and the International Planning Case Study Project. She also led two community-engaged research projects focused on disaster management, pandemic response, and community resilience for vulnerable populations in Detroit, MI, and migrant populations in Jharkhand, India. Before her time in Michigan, Taru worked as an urban planner and designer at CivicMoxie, a planning consulting firm based in Brookline, MA. Taru is excited to work with CMRPC on various RCCP projects.
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Sandy Amoakohene joined CMRPC on December 9, 2024 as a Multi-Modal Transportation Planner. She worked most recently for the City of Worcester with the Division of Public Health on topics such as active transportation and sustainability and previously with the Department of Economic Development CDBG program. Sandy also served as an AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer in New Britain, CT as a neighborhood revitalization coordinator. She holds a B.S. in Sustainable Urban Environments and a Master's in Business Administration. | |
CMRPC Planner Has New Role in Transportation | |
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Jordan Hollinger, a Principal Comprehensive and Land Use Planner in the Regional Collaboration & Community Planning (RCCP) department, has recently joined the CMRPC's Transportation Department as a Planning and Transportation Researcher. In his new role, Jordan will support the development and enhancement of CMRPC's data products, including community snapshots and socioeconomic projections, while also helping to establish a research and implementation agenda for various plans and projects. He is eager to leverage his experience as a professional planner and his background in data analytics and research to advance CMRPC's mission of fostering a sustainable and prosperous Central Massachusetts.
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Career & Internship Opportunities | | | | |
