January 7, 2022
STRAFFORD REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION NEWSLETTER
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SRPC's Holiday Card photo. (SRPC Photo)
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Greetings,
Happy New Year! I hope everyone enjoyed the holiday season and the opportunity to spend time with family and friends. The recent snow has created a beautiful blanket over the region, which I'm sure has made some winter outdoor enthusiasts very happy! For those who aren't so fond of the cold, only a couple more months of winter.
In this issue you will find information on SRPC’s latest video, a community spotlight on Rochester Recreation and Arena, LCHIP's 2022 funding announcement, SRPC's latest report, planning events of interest, staff news, news on CommuteSMART Seacoast and an NHMA article you may have missed, a public input opportunity, and community happenings.
Until Next Month,
Shayna Sylvia
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IN THIS ISSUE
SRPC's Latest Video
Community Spotlight: Rochester Rec & Arena
LCHIP Announces Funding for 2022
SRPC's Latest Report - FY 2021 ALOP
Planning Events of Interest
Staff News
In Case You Missed It
Public Input Opportunity
Community Happenings
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STAFF SNAPSHOTS - Dec./Jan. |
SRPC got its transit van decaled with the new logo! (SRPC Photo)
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New municipal record digitization intern, Tyler Distefano, scans documents in the basement of the Rochester Annex. (SRPC Photo)
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The Sunrise Lake Project Team hosted a virtual workshop on January 5, 2022 to present the final draft watershed-based management plan for Sunrise Lake. Presentations were given by SRPC staff, project consultants, and NHDES to explain why the project took place, what they learned about the conditions of the lake, and actions the Town of Middleton and its partners can take to protect and improve water quality. The draft plan can be viewed on the Town's website, where a public comment period is open until January 14.
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In the December newsletter, the “POP! On Into Winter!” article highlighted some awesome recreation spaces, via the POP! Online Map Viewer, to check out this winter. One of those sites, the Rochester Ice Arena, is operated by our neighbors in the Community Center, Rochester Recreation & Arena.
The staff behind Rochester Recreation & Arena are committed to providing programs, services and facilities that promote a healthy lifestyle and foster meaningful community connections, many of which center around the City’s Arena located at 63 Lowell Street in Rochester.
The Rochester Arena boasts a full size indoor skating rink from September-March and will be introducing an indoor turf surface for the spring and summer months. The upstairs fitness room at the Rochester Arena is home to the department’s senior fitness classes, Senior Power Hour, Zumba and Cardio Drumming. During the winter months, ‘the rink’ is proud to be the home ice of Spaulding High School Hockey, Rochester Youth Hockey, Coe-Brown Somersworth Hockey and a variety of adult and youth organizations. The Rochester Arena also hosts department sponsored programs and events throughout the season, like its popular Learn to Skate program.
Everyone is encouraged to get on the ice at the Rochester Arena by visiting the Public Ice Skating schedule. Private ice rentals are also available for families, schools, businesses and other organizations who are looking for a fun, COOL, enrichment opportunity for their members.
Those interested in learning more about ice rentals can contact Sarah at Sarah.Ward@rochesternh.net or by calling the Rec Office at 603-332-4120.
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LCHIP Announces Funding for 2022 |
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L to R: Bickford-Chesley House in Durham; Piscassic Greenway in Newmarket (Photos courtesy of LCHIP)
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In December, the Land and Community Heritage Investment Program (LCHIP) announced the award of $4.7 million dollars in matching grant funds for conservation and preservation of historic building and natural resources across the state. Funds were awarded to 30 historic resource projects and 10 natural resource projects.
In the Strafford region, the following projects were supported:
Dover - First Parish Church, $140,630
Durham - Bickford-Chesley House, $13,500
Newmarket - Piscassic Greenway, $150,000
Rochester - Champlin Forest Addition, $115,000
Wakefield - Union Hotel, $50,000
Wakefield - Drew Mill Dam, $65,000
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SRPC recently released its Annual Listing of Obligated Projects (ALOP), which details the federal funds spent on transportation projects during the past federal fiscal year (Oct 1st to Sept 30th).
The Annual Listing of Obligated Projects provides transparency for federal transportation expenditures, and details the different components and timelines for various plans and processes which are facilitated by SRPC in conjunction with NHDOT.
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PLANNING EVENTS OF INTEREST |
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Tax Credit & Community Economic Development Capacity Building Application Writing Webinar on Thursday, Jan. 13 from 10 a.m. to noon
In addition to the Tax Credit & Community Economic Development Capacity Building Program Overview, those interested in applying for funding are strongly encouraged to also attend one of the Tax Credit & Community Economic Development Capacity Building Application Writing Webinars specifically focused on the application process.
This webinar will be held twice, on Jan. 13 and Jan. 20, and will cover a step-by-step overview of the application.
Interested applicants only need to register for one of the application webinars, as they are the same.
Greater Dover Chamber of Commerce, Economic Forecast, Jan. 18 from 8:30 - 10:00 a.m.
COVID-19 still remains a public health threat and its economic impact has been widespread. From supply chain disruption to labor shortages, the pandemic is having a significant impact on the regional, national, and global economies.
Hear from Brian Gottlob, Director of the N.H. Economic and Labor Market Information Bureau and Principal at PolEcon Research, about what we can expect in the next 12 months and beyond. Will we see economic growth? And will there be any lasting effects from the pandemic? Register for this forum and find out!
Bear-Paw Annual Meeting, Jan. 22 from 4:00 - 5:30 p.m.
Join Bear-Paw Regional Greenways for its annual meeting on Saturday, Jan. 22, from 4:oo - 5:30 p.m. The meeting will kick-off with an optional trail walk in either Strafford (Isinglass River Conservation Reserve) or Candia (Deerfield Town Forest) at 1 p.m. - it's up to you!
The meeting will then take place via Zoom at 4. You can view the agenda online, and learn more on the Bear-Paw website.
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SRPC Welcomes Tyler Distefano
Strafford Regional Planning Commission welcomes Tyler Distefano, who started as a municipal record digitization intern on January 3.
He will work alongside a second intern, Aiden Toth, who starts on Jan. 18. Aiden and Tyler will be visiting interested municipalities in order to scan historic and current paper resources. The goal behind this project is to create a digital network for each municipality, that can be accessed when employees need to work remotely. This came about as a new program in response to the Covid-19 pandemic as a key means to build community resilience.
Tyler is currently enrolled at the University of New Hampshire, and will
graduate this May with a Bachelor’s in Political Science. When not at work, Tyler enjoys trying out new restaurants, reading a good book, or getting outside for various activities.
Please join us in welcoming Tyler!
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SRPC Welcomes Back Mark Davies
Data collection intern Mark Davie has returned to SRPC to work during his winter break. He is currently attending West Chester University, where he is working towards a Master's Degree in Urban & Regional Planning.
Over break, Mark will mainly be assisting staff with an update to the 2021 Data Snapshot, a region-wide analysis of data in the categories of demographics, economic vitality, livability and quality of life, mobility and accessibility, and resiliency.
We are excited to have Mark back with Team SRPC.
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RECENT & UPCOMING STAFF MILESTONES
Shayna Sylvia, communications and outreach planner, celebrated nine years at SRPC in November.
Rachel Dewey, data analyst, celebrated six years in November.
Natalie Moles, economic recovery coordinator, celebrated one year in November.
James Burdin, senior economic development planner celebrates five years, this month.
Nancy O'Connor, equity and engagement planner, will celebrate five years in February.
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COMMUTESMART SEACOAST RELEASES WINTER NEWSLETTER |
CommuteSMART Seacoast recently released a winter newsletter to reconnect with all the smart commuters out there! Read the short-and-sweet update to catch up on all things CommuteSMART!
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LATEST NHARPC CORNER ARTICLE- "HELPING MUNICIPALITIES MEET THEIR ENERGY GOALS"
In each month's Town and City Magazine, staff from various regional planning commissions partner to write an article for the 'NH Association of Regional Planning Commissions Corner' feature. This month, staff from Rockingham Planning Commission, Upper Valley Lake Sunapee Region Planning Commission, and Southwest Region Planning Commission wrote and article about assisting communities with their energy goals through two main approaches, "organizing and administering Municipal Electricity Supply Aggregation programs and assisting communities in taking advantage of the State’s Community Power Aggregation law."
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Fougere Planning and the NH Housing Finance Authority Seek Input from Municipalities
Fougere Planning is working with the NH Housing Finance Authority to explore the development of owner-occupied workforce housing units, and are interested in hearing from NH communities that support the creation of workforce housing.
Fougere and the NHHFA want to connect with communities that have considered:
- contributing municipal land as part of a workforce housing proposal.
- other financial supporting factors to help subsidize the creation of workforce housing such as free utility hookups, impact fee waivers or other ideas.
Fougere is asking that municipal representatives please reach out to share community case studies, at which time they will follow up directly, or with a group conference call with like-minded communities.
Mark Fougere, owner of Fougere Planning, can be reached via email.
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'Printmaking 2022' at the Art Center
Monday, Jan. 10 (until 2/28)
10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Visit the Art Center in Dover, NH for its new exhibition, 'Printmaking 2022'. This show includes artist from all over the region, and even from France, Russia, and beyond.
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Winter Wildlife Tracking With UNH Extension
Friday, Jan. 21
9:30 a.m. - noon
Join Southeast Land Trust (SELT) and UNH Cooperative Extension for a morning of identifying and interpreting wildlife tracks. Wildlife biologists Haley Andreozzi and Emma Tutein from UNH Cooperative Extension will guide participants through fields, forests, and wetlands in search of winter wildlife tracks and signs and teach you how to use wildlife signs to interpret wildlife behavior and habitat use.
This workshop will take place entirely outdoors at the Birch Ridge Community Forest in New Durham, NH, so dress in preparation for winter weather. Detailed location and parking information will be provided to registered participants.
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