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Happy January,
I hope everyone is enjoying the first week of the new year. I know I did as I sipped hot cocoa and watched the snow fall during this week's unexpected work-from-home snow day. I was also able to begin working toward one of my New Year's resolutions, reading more, as I dove into a new book I'm excited about. I wish others good luck on their resolutions as 2018 gets underway.
Here at SRPC staffers are finalizing the Future Land Use chapter of Durham's master plan, drafting updates to Newmarket's and Dover's hazard mitigation plans, and beginning SRPC's annual building permit report.
In this issue, you will find information about a goodbye to SRPC transportation writer Cynthia Plascencia, planning events of interest, SRPC's latest blogs, NHPA's outreach resolution, the Governor's Millennial Advisory Council Report,
and community happenings.
Until next month,
Shayna Sylvia
Communications and Outreach Specialist
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SRPC wishes Cynthia Plascencia best in new position
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Wednesday, Dec. 3, marked transportation writer Cynthia Plascencia's last day at SRPC. She joined us in March 2017 to help staff members write project reports, social media posts, and other outreach materials.
Cynthia's focus was mainly on the SHRP2 PlanWorks program, now
Partnering for Performance NH (PFPNH). She created toolkit materials for the project, produced copy for reports and other content, and created other outreach materials. She also worked on several blogs and wrote the "Volunteer Today" series, which featured three local/statewide organizations always looking for volunteers:
Ready Rides, the
American Cancer Society's Road to Recovery program, and
Seacoast Eat Local. And she assisted with formatting and editing the 2016 CEDS Annual Update. Cynthia provided writing assistance wherever it was needed and made herself available to work on a number of different projects.
The entire SRPC staff will miss Cynthia's positive attitude and willingness to understand and help with individual staff members' writing needs. We wish her good luck as she starts her new position at the University of New Hampshire.
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Planning, Planning Everywhere: Events of Interest
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NHMA Webinar - 2018 Legislative Preview
The NH Municipal Association (NHMA) will hold its 2018 Legislative Preview webinar on Wednesday, Jan. 17. As NHMA explains, the webinar will help watchers "connect better with legislators, and will:
* Include a preview of legislation filed;
* Outline the messages legislators need to hear from you;
* Recommend grassroots action to get the municipal voice heard."
Local Solutions: Eastern Regional Climate Preparedness Conference
Antioch University and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will host the biennial Local Solutions: Eastern Regional Climate Preparedness Conference from Monday, Apr. 30 to Wednesday, May 2 in Manchester.
Sessions will
focus on preparing for severe weather, extreme heat, coastal
flooding, and other climate change impacts in the Eastern United States.
According to the event hosts, "Local Solutions 2014 & 2016 together drew more than 1,000 local, state, and federal decisionmakers, municipal and regional planners, and other climate leaders.
Community Engagement Academy
The University of New Hampshire and the University of Maine have joined with Sea Grant Maine to hold a three-day community engagement academy this coming spring. The training, designed for practitioners and community volunteers takes place in Berwick, ME on April 12, in Dover on April 26, and in Rochester on May 10. Topics will include the following:
- Developing a plan for community outreach and engagement
- Thin vs. thick engagement.
- Equity and inclusion: using a variety of tools to reach underrepresented audiences in your community.
- Vision to action: using information gained through community engagement.
- Engagement for a variety of topics: preparing for climate change, downtown revitalization, community art,and connecting trails and downtowns."
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The Cost of Accelerating NH Road Projects
SRPC's latest blog post explains the pros and cons of increasing highway tolls in the state. It also discusses the state's decision on the toll increase proposal following public hearings and meetings during last December.
You can read the post at:
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GUEST BLOG: Social Media Reaches Wider King Tide Audience
Principal regional planner Kyle Pimental recently wrote a guest blog for the New Hampshire Coastal Adaptation Workgroup (NHCAW). Kyle addressed some important statistics from #KingTideNH2017, such as the fact that NHCAW's social media campaign had a reach of almost ten thousand.
You can read Kyle's blog post at:
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New year's resolutions for the
New Hampshire Preservation Alliance
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The NH Preservation Alliance (NHPA) recently announced its New Year's resolutions, which include spreading awareness about both the state and national registers of historic places. Close to 70 towns have no buildings listed with the New Hampshire State Register of Historic Places, and 30 have no buildings listed with either the state or national registers.
To change this, NHPA is encouraging owners of historic buildings to consider listing a building they love, or that needs love, with the state or national registers of historic places. A historical survey is a good starting point for those interested in the process. NHPA offers some pointers and tips for a historical survey at
https://nhpreservation.org/community-planning-for-survey
Learning about NHPA's Seven to Save program could also be beneficial for individuals looking to preserve their historic buildings and infrastructure.
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Governor's
Millennial
Advisory Council release report
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In September the Millennial Advisory Council began meeting to create a list of recommendations regarding issues such as housing, education, conservation and transportation, and the workforce. These ideas were compiled in an annual report released in December. The council was created by the Governor's Executive Order 2017-07. According to the report, "the council is charged with providing the Governor with recommendations,insight, suggestions, and feedback on matters of State policy that directly impact he attraction and retention of young workers."
There are 25 appointed members serving on the council including: two members from each county in New Hampshire, two members from both the City of Manchester and the City of Nashua, and a twenty-fifth member who serves as Chair. Members of the Council must be born between 1980 and 2000.
The report is broken down into four sections and provids focus areas for each topic, in addition to policy recommendations. It also provides next steps for the council.
The report can be found at:
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Community Happenings
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Hackamatack Community Dinner, 7th Settlement, Jan. 11, 7 - 10 p.m.
7th Settlement has partnered with Hackmatack Farm in Berwick, Maine, for a bison and beer feast. Enjoy some local food and beer, and learn more about this unique seacoast farm.
How Sweet It Is - The Exciting Life of the Honeybee, Rye Congregational Church, Jan. 16 from 9:30 a.m.-noon
The Rye Driftwood Garden Club (RDGC) will host 2008 Beekeeper of the Year Wendy Booth on Tuesday morning, Jan. 16, at the Rye Congregational Church. Wendy will present on the fascinating life of the honey bee. A honey tasting will follow the presentation.
Arrive early for coffee and a meet and greet with RDGC members.
The program will begin at 10 a.m. A donation of $5 is suggested for non-club members.
For more information visit:
Night Snow-Shoe Hike at Stratham Hill Park, Jan. 19, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Stratham Parks and Recreation will hold a night snowshoe hike on Friday, Jan. 19, at Stratham Hill Park. Interested parties should meet at the Scammon Pavilion around 6 p.m. The hike will start at 6:30. Hikers will have the change to warm up by a fire pit and snack on homemade cookies halfway through the hike, before turning heading back for 8:30 p.m.
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Sincerely,
SRPC Staff
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