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Northwest Vermont Road Maps Available
The NRPC has completed an update of the Northwest Road map.
This map gives a comprehensive and in-depth look at our region featuring roads in Franklin & Grand Isle Counties. The map was created using ArcMap, a GIS mapping program, and Indesign, a desktop publishing software. NRPC staff worked with Deborah Kehoe of Kehoe+Kehoe Design Associates to create the maps. Kehoe also created the watercolor designs featured on the front and back of the map.
The last update of the Northwest Road Map was published in 2004. Since then, many features on the maps have changed. Many new, private roads now exist, and some road names have changed. The update allows users of the map to have an accurate look at the Northewest Region's roads.
The Northwest Road Map update was financed in part through grant from the Federal Highway Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation, under the State Planning and Research Program, as well as matching funds provided by Franklin and Grand Isle County municipalities and the Vermont Agency of Transportation.
Please call the NRPC office for free copies at 802-524-5958.
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UVM Extension Director Visits NRPC Board
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| Chuck Ross and Vice-Chair William Irwin |
Chuck Ross, Director of the University of Vermont Extension came to the April meeting of the Board of Commissioners to discuss the future of agriculture in Vermont.
Ross gave an overview of the history of agricultural land in Vermont, what currently exists for agricultural land and how some of this land is being converted. Ross noted that not all conversion is bad for Vermont, but we need to be smarter about what we are doing and understand the consequences. Ross stressed the importance of farmers and the dairy industry in supporting Vermont's agricultural landscape and Vermont's communities, culture and economy.
The
Future of Vermont Agriculture
provides additional information.
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NRPC Board Adopts Bylaws for Intermunicipal Services
At its April 2019 meeting, the NRPC Board adopted
a bylaw amendment
that allows NRPC to work with interested member municipalities to provide shared municipal services.
As of 2016, state law (24 V.S.A. ยง 4345b) allows municipalities to contract with their regional planning commission for the provision of municipal services. Adoption of the bylaw amendments allows NRPC and municipalities to promote cooperative arrangements and coordinate, implement, and administer service agreements among municipalities. Any future agreement will still need to be approved by the NPRC Board and each municipal legislative body that wants to participate in the service.
Eligible municipal services include any authority (with some exceptions) of municipalities such as planning, community development, joint purchasing, intermunicipal services, infrastructure, and related activities. In practical terms, this could mean two or more municipalities asking NRPC to provide zoning administration, stormwater management, or similar services. Municipalities would pay the cost of the services, and NRPC would be responsible for ensuring they are carried out within any state and municipal requirements.
NRPC looks forward to further conversations with municipalities about the opportunities this provides our region. For more information, contact Catherine at 524-5958 or by e-mail.
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Missisquoi Valley Rail Trail Roundup
To kick off this year long process, the Rail Trail Council and NRPC are hosting a trail ride and series of community events to provide information about the project and gather input from local residents and business owners.
Events will be held from Thursday, June 6th to Saturday, June 8th. A full itinerary can be found here. Please RSVP for each event by May 29th at this link.
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Gleaning Volunteers Needed
Gleaning is the process of reducing food waste by rescuing surplus food from local farms and delivering it to area food shelves and meal sites.
There are a number of ways volunteers can help:
- distributing gleaned produce to charitable food sites
- picking up produce at participating farms
- gleaning produce directly from farm fields.
To volunteer and help give back to your community, call 802-735-4551 or e-mail [email protected].
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Business Peer Exchange Series- Franklin and Grand Isle Counties
Change The Story and Vermont Works for Women are bringing the Business Peer Exchange (BPE) to Franklin
and Grand Isle Counties! This initial four-part series is designed to help employers strengthen and grow their
workforce by increasing their ability to recruit, hire and retain female employees. Each session provides
information and tools whose value is amplified by open and ongoing exchange of ideas among community
stakeholders with a shared goal.
Dates: May 29th, June 27th, September 26th, and October 24th
Time: 8:00-9:30 a.m.
Location: Saint Albans City Hall (May 29th and September 26th sessions) and People's Trust Swanton (June 27th and October 24th.)
This initial series is free of charge thanks to a grant from the U.S. Department of Labor Education and Training Administration. Coffee and light breakfast will be provided.
Specific information about the topics of each session can be found at
this link.
For more information, contact
Liz Gamache
. To RSVP, click
here.
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Workforce and Talent Summit: Part of the Six-Pillar Conference Series
The Vermont Workforce & Talent
Summit
is the inaugural event in the Vermont Chamber of Commerce's Six Pillar Conference Series
focused on promoting the long-term economic health of our state and providing opportunity for Vermonters.
Date: Thursday, May 30, 2019
Time: 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Location: Hilton Burlington Hotel
60 Battery St.
Burlington, VT 05408
Partners for this event include the Vermont State Workforce Development Board, the Vermont Department of Labor, Advance Vermont, the Vermont Futures Project, and SHRM.
For more information and to register, visit the event page.
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2019 Downtown and Historic Preservation Conference
Date: Wednesday, June 5th, 2019
Location: Various venues in downtown Montpelier, with the Opening Plenary occurring in the Vermont State House
Cost: $55
Registration is required-space is limited and the conference may sell out quickly. Register at
this link.
If you have any questions, please contact Gary Holloway via email or at 802-828-3220.
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2019 VTrans Bicycle and Pedestrian Grant Program
VTrans is soliciting applications for projects this year through the Bicycle and Pedestrian Program.
The intent of the VTrans Bicycle and Pedestrian Program is to improve access and safety for bicyclists and/or pedestrians through the planning, design and construction of infrastructure projects.
The Bike/Ped Program provides funding for either a scoping study or a design/construction project for the following facilities:
* Bicycle lanes (on-road facility delineated with pavement markings and signs)
* Shoulders (generally a minimum of 3-feet wide to accommodate bicyclists)
* Sidewalks
* Pedestrian crossing improvements, including median pedestrian refuge islands
* Pedestrian signals
* Improvements that address requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act
* Shared-use paths (designed for use by both bicyclists and pedestrians) Projects may be combinations of any of the above facilities.
Projects with the following emphasis will be considered favorably:
* Facilities that address a documented safety concern such as a high crash location
* Connectivity within overall bicycle and pedestrian networks
* Proximity and access to and within village centers and downtown areas
* Facilities that serve multiple uses e.g. access to businesses, residences and schools
For a copy of the VTrans 2019 Bicycle and Pedestrian Grant Program Guide and to access the application materials, visit the VTrans Bike/Ped Program website.
Questions about the program and application process can be directed to Jon Kaplan, VTrans Bicycle and Pedestrian Program Manager, via email or at (802) 498-4742.
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