APRIL 2018
Welcome to April's Pioneer Valley Progress Report! It's been another busy month here at the planning commission, where we've been busy advocating, and helping local communities implement, programs and policies that make our quality of life better.

Earth Day is always a great time to reflect on the progress being made to protect our Valley's water and air and, as you'll see, we've been awfully busy on that front.

Of course, we know how interconnected our transportation system and environment are and so we also continued to push for the funding needed to protect those who depend on the PVTA to get from Point A to Point B.

Last, but certainly not least - our Domestic Violence Prevention Program Manager, Monica Moran, was honored in Boston this month for her tireless work, for which we are all incredibly grateful.

We are so proud to present some of our best accomplishments over the last month on behalf of the 43 cities and towns of Hampden and Hampshire counties.

-Team Pioneer Valley Planning Commission
PVPC's Monica Moran makes a difference 

Our Domestic Violence Prevention Programs Manager, Monica Moran, was recently honored with the Access to Justice award from the Massachusetts Office for Victim Assistance at the State House. You can read more about here work in this recent Daily Hampshire Gazette story.
Connecticut River Clean-up Committee celebrates 25 years
 
PVPC and Springfield Water & Sewer Commission Executive Directors Tim Brennan and Josh Schimmel joined WGBY's Carrie Saldo on Connecting Point this past month to preview the multi-municipal partnership's silver anniversary.
It's Earth Day, do you know what your region's government is up to?

Land Use & Environment Section Manager Catherine Ratte joined a panel of public and private sector leaders to discuss local programs aimed at ensuring the safety of the water we drink and air we breathe on WWLP's InFocus.
PVTA state budget shortfalls roll on

The House of Representatives voted to add $2 million to the statewide Regional Transit Authority line item last week during their budget deliberations - an improvement, but still well short of the $88 million needed to ensure PVTA riders are able to get to work, school, and the doctor's office, among other critical transit destinations next year. 
Who pays for pollution? 

Tim Brennan joins Transportation for Massachusetts' Chris Dempsey and New England Venture Capital Association's Jody Rose to reflect on nearly ten years of progress made since Massachusetts joined the multi-state Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.
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