January 2019


2019 Municipal Planning Grants Awarded
 
Three municipalities in the region receive funding
 
Marble Mill Park in Swanton

Congratulations to the towns of Enosburgh, South Hero, and Swanton!
 
In late November, the Agency of Commerce and Community Development awarded three municipal planning grants to municipalities in Northwest Vermont. The total grant award for all three projects in the region equals $50,523. Statewide, ACCD awarded approximately $460,000 to 29 municipalities and 3 consortia.
 
Enosburgh will develop a Recreation Field Revitalization Plan to help make the public playing fields and the activities planned for them more attractive to a wider variety of people, as a way to improve community health. This recreation space will support the creation of a healthy community for Enosburgh's diverse ages, abilities, and interests.
 
South Hero will develop a plan to evaluate the feasibility of renovating the historic Old White Meeting House in South Hero village. Consultants hired by the town will inspect and evaluate the Old White Meeting House to help the community decide whether to renovate it for much-needed public meeting space.
 
Swanton will prepare a community-driven master plan for the Marble Mill Park in the village to improve access to recreation while addressing stormwater and flood concerns. The project will allow the town to contract with landscape architecture and engineering professionals to create a plan to revitalize the park for improved accessibility, safety, and usability.
 
For any questions about Municipal Planning Grants, contact Taylor Newton by email or at (802) 524-5958. 

Planning Grant to Expand Child Care Services


In November 2018, the City of St. Albans received a Planning Grant from the Vermont Community Development Program (VCDP) to study the expansion of child care services at the Almond Blossoms Schoolhouse located at 233-235 Lake Street. The grant will fund an architectural review of the existing structure, an environmental site assessment of the property, and the development of construction bid documents to rehab the existing structure and construct an additional structure on-site. The project will emphasize compliance with the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) within the existing structure.
NRPC staff provided grant writing services to the City of St. Albans and Almond Blossoms Schoolhouse in the summer of 2018. The City has now contracted with NRPC to serve as project manager and to administer the grant. Work is scheduled to begin on the project in the spring of 2019.

NRPC is pleased to support the efforts of the City of St. Albans and Almond Blossoms Schoolhouse to expand child care services in the Northwest Region!


Enosburg Vital Village Project: Presentation of Design Ideas and Opportunities
 
The Enosburg Falls Vital Village Project will be holding a presentation of design ideas on January 24.

Date: Thursday, January 24
Time: 6:30-8:30 P.M.
Location: Enosburg Emergency Service Building
83 Sampsonville Road, Enosburg Falls, VT 05450
   
Since September, the Enosburg Falls Vital Village Project has engaged the community in various ways to create a collaborative vision for a vibrant and healthy village center.
 
At the event, the consulting team will present specific ideas and recommendations based on community input from prior events. There will also be renderings of physical design ideas. Appetizers will be provided by members of the project Steering Committee. The presentation will begin at 6:30 p.m.
 
The Vital Village Project was funded by a grant from The Agency of Transportation (VTrans) and the Agency of Commerce and Community Development (ACCD) as part of the Vermont Better Connections Grant Program.
 
For more information, e-mail Project Manager Greta Brunswick of the Northwest Regional Planning Commission.

First 2019 Legislative Breakfast to be held in Swanton

The first Legislative Breakfast will be held at the Swanton Municipal Building on Monday, January 28th, from 8-9:30 a.m. 

Please come, ask questions, and speak about your concerns for the coming session.
 
Three other legislative breakfasts have been scheduled: 

Saturday, February 23rd in Enosburg at the American Legion, 9-10:30 am; 
Monday, March 25th in St Albans at City Hall, 8-9:30am;
Saturday, April 20th in Fairfax, Location TBD, 9-10:30am.

Understanding Opiate Addiction Workshop to Be Offered

Town of Highgate Seeking Zoning Administrator 




Northwest Healthy Roots Collaborative Hosts Annual In Good Taste Event

Franklin County's annual "In Good Taste" event will return to St. Albans City Hall on Friday, February 1.

Date: Friday, February 1, 2019
Time: 4:30-9 p.m.; Tastings at 4:30 and 7 p.m.
Location: 100 N. Main Street, Saint Albans City, VT 05478 

Attendees are invited to sample regional culinary delights, handcrafted beer, wine, and unique spirits in a cocktail-style setting in the auditorium at City Hall. This popular event shines a spotlight on local growers, producers and food artisans, giving the public a chance to sip, sample and chat with the vendors. Many vendors will have product available for sale, so guests will receive a free, reusable shopping bag to use for purchases that evening. Live music will be provided by regional duo King Me.

Price for Online Admission:  $12 per person for 20 tasting tickets, while supplies last.
Price for Admissions at the Door:   $18 for 20 tasting tickets, while supplies last.

There will be two tasting sessions at 4:30 p.m and 7 p.m. Walk-in registration will be available the night of if space allows. Free admission is being offered for kids 6 and under. An ID is required for alcohol samples.  Please note: Due to the capacity limits at City Hall, only 250 admissions will be sold to each tasting. 

In Good Taste is an event of the Northwest Vermont Healthy Roots Collaborative, in partnership with the Franklin County Industrial Development Corporation, Northwest Regional Planning Commission, Franklin-Grand Isle Workforce Investment Board, and the City of St. Albans. 
Healthy Roots works to strengthen the local food system of Northwest Vermont for the health and vitality of our community. They support a strong agricultural economy with thriving farms, where all are connected to and nourished by local farms and food.

Visit the In Good Taste Facebook page for updates and announcements.
Free "Rent Right" Classes Being Offered 

The Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity is offering two "Rent Right" courses on February 13.

Date: Wednesday, February 13
Time: Tenant Skills Class: 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
   Finding Housing Class: 1-2 p.m. 
Location: Franklin/Grand Isle Community Action 
    5 Lemnah Drive #5, St. Albans City, VT 05478

The courses will offer lessons in tenant rights and responsibilities, landlord rights and responsibilities, finding housing, and budgeting. These classes are being offered free of cost, and everyone that completes the course will receive a Preferred Renters Card. 

For questions and to sign up, contact Jen Stewart of CVOEO by email or at 802-527-7392. 

Northwest Regional Planning Commission
Address: 75 Fairfield Street, St. Albans, VT 05478
Phone: 802.524.5958      Fax: 802.527.2948     Website: www.nrpcvt.com