New Dover solar panel array on the roof of the Children's Museum of New Hampshire. ( Photo Courtesy of Revision Energy)
Planning
Over the past year, principal regional planner Kyle Pimental has been working with a dedicated group of volunteers on the Dover Rising Waters initiative . The initiative and its current High Water Mark project seek to engage community members in conversations about future flood risks as sea levels rise and storms become more frequent and intense.
 
The High Water Mark project included a contest to design a mural that will be displayed in downtown Dover. Winner Sofia Self designed a drawing depicting important city landmarks underwater, and she is currently painting her design on canvas. Interested parties are invited to come view the final product at an unveiling ceremony at the Children's Museum of New Hampshire , 6 Washington St. in Dover, on Wednesday, Feb. 20, from 11 a.m. – noon. The event will also serve as the ribbon cutting for the solar array that Revision Energy installed on the roof of the museum.
 
Contact Kyle at 603-994-3500 with any questions.

Pieces of Interest
Transportation
On Thursday, Jan. 24, communications and outreach planner Shayna Sylvia attended the quarterly CommuteSMART Seacoast advisory board meeting where board members reviewed first quarter metrics for the transportation management association and were updated on the Conquer the Cold challenge , which currently has 111 participants and was recently featured on NH Chronicle .

Board members also discussed logistics for the upcoming May B2B Challenge and the recent funding received by CommuteSMART New Hampshire and CommuteSMART Seacoast's role. They also explored options for continued funding of CommuteSMART Seacoast in the future.

Learn more about CommuteSMART Seacoast online . 

Pieces of Interest

Economic Development
The Strafford Economic Development District (EDD) staff is finalizing the 2019 Brownfields grant proposal, which is due to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Jan. 31.

Strafford EDD received funding in 2015 to begin the current Brownfields program, which comes to a close in September. Throughout the past four years, Strafford EDD has contracted with Credere Associates to complete eight phase I assessments for site contamination; five of the sites qualified for phase II assessments based on the contamination found there, and two sites are targeted for redevelopment.

Stafford EDD’s 2019 proposal will make the case to the EPA for additional funding to assess more sites throughout the region for potential contamination.

For more information on Strafford EDD's Brownfields program contact James Burdin, regional economic development planner, at 603-994-3500.

Pieces of Interest

Strafford Regional Planning Commission | 603-994-3500 | srpc@strafford.org | www.strafford.org
January 25, 2019