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NRPC Newsletter

March 2022

Open Meeting Law Refresher

March 31, 2022 - 6:00 p.m.

The Northwest Regional Planning Commission (NRPC) is hosting a virtual training on the Open Meeting Law on Thursday, March 31st, from 6 to 7 PM. Topics will include:


  • Key Requirements of the Open Meeting Law
  • Temporary Changes to the Open Meeting Law


Whether you are new to a public board or are looking for a refresher on the key parts of the law, this workshop will have something for you. This training will be on Zoom, click here to enter.

Green Justice Zones Forum

Wednesday, March 23, 6:00-7:30 p.m.


What is green justice, and how can it inform planning and community development in Vermont? A Green Justice Zone is the concept of making investments in sustainability and equity in neighborhoods that have been disinvested in and are overburdened with pollution, and/or have higher exposure to risks associated with climate change. These initiatives use data mapping, community design and a participatory budgeting process to support community revitalization in communities who have experienced the most harms by the current climate crisis. Vermont’s 11 regional planning commissions have partnered with Rights and Democracy to explore the concept and how it can be applied in our state. Guests include representatives from the Green Justice Zone efforts in the city of Providence, which has begun implementing its Climate Justice Plan.


Please follow this link to register.

Opportunity to Serve on

the NRPC Board!

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Interested in our work? Consider serving on the Board of Commissioners! Each municipality in the region has two seats on the NRPC Board. Currently there are vacancies in Alburgh Village, Bakersfield, Enosburgh, Enosburg Falls, Highgate, Montgomery, North Hero, Richford, and Sheldon. Commissioners are appointed by their local Selectboard/Trustees/Council. There is also an opening for our youth member in Grand Isle County. For more information, please contact Catherine Dimitruk or your local board.

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The Northwest VT Healthy Roots Collaborative has just updated their 2021 Annual Report. Click here to view.

Northern Border Regional Commission Grant Announcement

State Economic & Infrastructure Development Investment Program (SEID)


Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC) State Economic and Infrastructure Investment Program (SEID) grants have just been announced with letters of interest (required this year) due April 22 and applications due June 3, 2022. NBRC grants are a great opportunity for to further job-creating projects that help reduce poverty, unemployment, and outmigration in the northern border region.

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Local-Led Conservation


The Franklin, Grand Isle, and Lamoille County Natural Resources Conservation Districts in partnership with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) invite you to participate in Local-Led Conservation. They are seeking your ideas to focus our outreach activities, cost share programs, priorities for program direction, and funding over the next year in the Northwest Zone of Vermont.


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Working Communities Challenge Initiative Hires Project Manager


NRPC is pleased to announce we have hired Barry Lampke as Project Manager for the Working Communities Challenge. Barry has extensive experience in smart growth, energy, and natural resources. Before joining NRPC, he worked as the community engagement and science communications manager at ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain. The Working Communities Challenge focuses on creating more safe, affordable, and accessible homes of all types and sizes in the region. The initiative is supported by the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston and the State of Vermont. For more information, contact Barry Lampke.

Window Dressers

Window Inserts Save You Money & Help Your Community


Residents in Franklin and Grand Isle Counties now have the opportunity to get affordable, insulating window inserts for their homes while providing free inserts to low-income families in the region. Window Dressers is a New England based non profit that helps communities build window inserts using a volunteer driven process, and the Northwest Regional Planning Commission along with local volunteers are bringing this program to our region.

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Missisquoi Bay & Lamoille River Basin Water Quality Councils Announced


Names of the members of two new “Basin Water Quality Councils” were announced on Friday.  The Councils—one each for the Missisquoi Bay Watershed and the Lamoille River Watershed—will play an important role in the implementation of Vermont’s Clean Water Service Delivery Act. Members of the BWQCs serve as policy makers and top level “prioritizers” of projects and investments. BWQCs will also participate in the state’s basin planning process. 

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Stormwater Toolbox Equipment Loan Program


Are you interested in taking an active role in your community and watershed through citizen scientist efforts? The EPA has announced the renewal of its Region 1 Stormwater Toolbox Equipment Loan program, a program which lends stormwater monitoring devices throughout the field season of 2022. Some of the tools available include a YSI digital sampler, colorimeter, test strips, and more. This program is available to NGOs, such as universities, watershed associations, planning commissions, tribes and others. Applications are due March 18th. For more information, visit the EPA’s webpage on their Equipment Loan programs here. For an application, contact Michelle Coombs