The Hoffman Furniture Building, located at 55 North Main Street. ( Photo Courtesy of Karen Dandurant/Foster's Daily Democrat)
Planning

On Wednesday, July 15, communications and outreach planner Shayna Sylvia, and equity and engagement planner Nancy O'Connor attended UNH Cooperative Extension's training on "Meeting People Where They Are: Tools for Engaging your Community this Summer and Fall" .

The training included an overview of different ways to engage people with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Tools discussed included using Zoom and its features like break-out groups and its whiteboard, and free polling software like PollEv.com, which can be used via text and online, among other tools. Spatial outreach tools were also discussed, like ArcGIS online, which can be used to create an app allowing people to post photos associated with a geographic location as a way to collect input and data. 

 
Ideas for non-digital engagement were also discussed including using poster boards at public locations with sticky dot, or open-ended question exercises, and using postcards and mail-outs.  

Pieces of Interest


Transportation
In FY 2021 Strafford Metropolitan Planning Organization will be updating its Public Participation Plan and Title VI Program. This process is beginning with a review of the current processes and discussion as to how the plans can be consolidated to best reflect Strafford MPO's practices and accurately measure outreach and engagement.  

The last iteration of the PPP was adopted in 2017. The update will allow SRPC to create a more user friendly and implementable plan that addresses new types of public participation, like Zoom meetings and new technology that has been used due to the pandemic.  

Strafford MPO will also update its Title VI program and incorporate updated measures to track yearly and submit to NHDOT.  

Staff have been meeting weekly to plan for these updates and to stay on target for processes related to the new iterations of both documents. 

To learn more about Strafford MPO's Title VI program visit: 


To learn more about the PPP visit http://strafford.org/transportation/ppplan.php.

Pieces of Interest

Economic Development
At the Rochester City Council meeting on Jul. 7, city councilors voted to purchase the Hoffman Furniture Building, which is located at 55 North Main Street. This property, in the heart of the downtown, is being considered for two different uses, and the options will be presented at the Jul. 21 City Council meeting. 

Strafford EDD has been involved in this effort, in their completion of a Phase I assessment of the property under the EPA Brownfield program. Phase I work included a study of relevant records and materials to determine the likelihood of contamination and the need for further assessment. 

Strafford EDD staff may also be assisting with a market study on the property, which is being discussed at a meeting next Monday with City Officials. 

For more information on Strafford EDD and related technical assistance we offer contact James Burdin.

  Pieces of Interest


Strafford Regional Planning Commission | 603-994-3500 | srpc@strafford.org | www.strafford.org
July 17, 2020