On May 21, 2018, the RPC held its first public hearing on its Regional Energy Plan, there was a spirited discussion on the plan especially on wind energy. The second public hearing is scheduled for June 25th at 12:00PM at Martin Memorial Hall in Ascutney. The RPC will vote to adopt the proposed plan following the public hearing.

The RPC staff is working closely with the Town of Windsor on the repair of the Kennedy Pond dam. The repair of the dam will begin on June 1st and should be completed by mid-October 2018.Funding for the dam repair came from two sources; a grant that was prepared by RPC staff for $1.25 million dollars and $1.0 million dollars from the town. The grant funds were through the Vermont Community Development Block Grant Disaster Relief Program. I would like to thank the folks at the Vermont Community Development Program for their patience and assistance in getting this project funded.

We are coming to the end of our fiscal year and I want to thank the staff and commissioners for all their hard work in making FY18 a very successful year. In this fiscal year, we co-sponsored a statewide bike and pedestrian conference; administered the Clean Water Block Grant Program for the State of Vermont; and the RPC wrote and received over $400,000.00 in funding for our member towns for solid waste, water quality, brownfields,transportation and emergency management programs.  

 

Tom

Vermont Emergency Management (VEM) has announced the publication of new Local Emergency Management Plan (LEMP) standards.

 

In 2019, Vermont towns will no longer be required to utilize the single specific format in developing Local Emergency Operation Plans (LEOP). Instead, towns will adopt a Local Emergency Management Plan (LEMP), which incorporates a standard set of minimum elements. Templates that include these elements are available on the VEM website .  These new plans will need to be adopted by May 2019.  (The LEOP templates can still be used in 2018.)

 

In 2019, municipalities will also need to report adoption of LEMPs through their Regional Planning Commission (RPC) with a LEMP adoption form.  Implementation guidance, references, templates, models, and examples are available on VEM's website .  Contact Allison or Otis for assistance in developing and exercising their LEMPs.

 

What a terrific day!  On May 4th, 218 people gathered in White River Junction for the 2018 Vermont Walk Bike Summit.  The day started with an inspiring plenary session featuring Congressman Peter Welch and keynote speaker Russ Roca from  A Path Less Pedaled.  The day continued with sessions on a variety of topics, demonstrations, and networking with colleagues.  Congratulations to award recipients Jason Van Driesche (Walk/Bike Professional), Alice Charkes (Walk/Bike Volunteer Advocate), and the Velomont Trail/VT Huts Association (Notable Project).  Presentation slides and photos are available on the   event website .   

 

We would like to thank TRORC (our co-organizing partner), VTrans and members of the event planning committee.  We are also very grateful to the staff at the Barrette Center for the Arts and Hotel Coolidge, as well as to all of the event sponsors.  We look forward to attending the 2020 Vermont Walk Bike Summit somewhere else in the state!

Vermont's Bicycle and Pedestrian Program funds a wide variety of projects, such as bicycle lanes, sidewalks, pedestrian crossing improvements, and ADA improvements.  Last year Chester received a $800,000 for sidewalk enhancements and Springfield was awarded $156,000 of additional funds to complete the South Street sidewalk project.  Two small-scale projects were also awarded last year: $4,000 to Cavendish to install rectangular rapid flashing beacons at the school crosswalk and nearly $48,000 for Main Street pedestrian improvements in Springfield.  Applications are due by June 22, 2018. More information can be found on  VTrans' website.  Please contact  Katharine if you are interested in applying and would like help with your application.