March 4, 2022
STRAFFORD REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION NEWSLETTER
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A snowy NH river. (Instagram/Bharat8177)
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Greetings,
I hope everyone has been staying warm with the weather we've had over the last week. It looks like the effects of Punxsutawney Phil seeing his shadow are rearing their head. On the bright side (pun intended) it is staying lighter until later, a welcome sign of spring to come!
In this issue you will find information on SRPC’s latest videos, available funding in our ‘Grant Corner’, AMPO’s upcoming conferences, planning events of interest, staff news including a welcome and a goodbye, a save the date for a NHPA Field Trip, the Flood Smart Seacoast program, SRPC’s 'Latest Plan' for the Town of Durham, a public input opportunity on housing, and community happenings.
Until Next Month,
Shayna Sylvia
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IN THIS ISSUE
SRPC's Latest Videos
Grant Corner
AMPO's Upcoming Conferences
Planning Events of Interest
Staff News
Save the Date for a NHPA Field Trip
In Case You Missed It: Flood Smart Seacoast
SRPC's Latest Report: Durham Groundwater
Public Input Opportunity: Housing Survey
Community Happenings
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We don't have any pretty pictures to share this month :( |
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The February 2022 Technical Advisory (TAC) Committee meeting was held on Feb. 4. Attendees discussed the draft 2021-2024 TIP Amendment 3, 2022 Highway Safety Performance Targets, and how transportation programs under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law can align and assist with
community goals.
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On Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022, SRPC held another meeting in it Resiliency Roundtable series. The topic energy in the region and state, was informed by guest speakers Sam Evans Brown of Clean Energy NH, and Bill Baber of the Dover Energy Commission.
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SRPC held it's February 2022 Commission meeting on Thursday, Feb. 24. Staff updated Commissioners on: SRPC’s Regional Housing Needs Assessment project, its Community Development Block Grant services, and the 2022 update to the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS). |
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Critical Flood Risk Infrastructure Grants - Due Friday, Apr. 15, at 4 p.m.
The Critical Flood Risk Infrastructure Grant (CFRING) program is now accepting applications for flood resilience and stormwater management projects located within New Hampshire’s Coastal Watershed.
Coastal watershed communities and their stormwater infrastructure are highly susceptible to damage from severe flood risks, including relative sea-level rise (RSLR), coastal storms, RSLR-induced groundwater rise, extreme precipitation, and freshwater flooding. In response, this grant program supports projects in the following two areas, planning and assessment, and implementation.
The amount of funding requested for planning and assessment projects must not exceed $100,000, and the amount of funding requested for implementation projects must not exceed $2,500,000. The total project costs may exceed those amounts.
For instructions, evaluation criteria, and to access the application form, visit the CFRING webpage.
Applications must be submitted using the online application form no later than 4:00 PM ET on Friday, April 15, 2022. An informational webinar about the CFRING funding opportunity (see PLANNING EVENTS OF INTEREST) will take place on Monday, March 7, 2022, from 1:30-2:30 PM ET. Learn more in the SRPC e-blast from Mar. 3.
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2022 AARP Community Challenge Grants - Due Tuesday, Mar. 22, at 5 p.m.
AARP invites 501(C)(3), 501(C)(4) and 501(c)(6) nonprofits and government entities (other types of organizations will be considered on a case-by-case basis) to submit applications for tangible improvement projects that can help communities become more livable.
Applications are being accepted through March 22, 2022, 5 pm for grants to improve public places; housing; transportation; civic engagement; diversity, equity and inclusion; support efforts to build engagement and build-on programs under new federal laws; and other innovative ideas.
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Economic Mobility Focused on the Needs of Community - Due Friday, Jun. 24, at 5 p.m.
The Bank of America Charitable Foundation works to advance pathways to economic mobility in order to build thriving communities. The Foundation provides grants to nonprofit organizations that serve specific states and regions in the United States, including New Hampshire.
The Economic Mobility Focused on Needs of the Community category provides support for affordable housing, neighborhood revitalization, and small businesses.
Applications will be accepted from May 30 through June 24, 2022.
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Association of Metropolitan Planning Organizations (AMPO) Announces Upcoming Conferences |
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2022 AMPO Planning Tools & Training Symposium - May 16 - 19
Registration for AMPO's 2022 Planning Tools & Training Symposium in sunny Ft. Lauderdale, Florida is now open.
The AMPO Planning Tools and Training Symposium, scheduled for May 16-19, brings together MPO staff and practitioners to share information on a variety of MPO technical issues and provides peer-to-peer training for the MPO community to discuss challenges, opportunities, and implementation strategies.
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2022 AMPO Annual Conference - Oct. 25 - 28
The AMPO Annual Conference is the premier event for MPOs to learn and networl, providing the opportunity to meet with over 350 MPO directors, transportation planners, and elected officials from across the country.
This year's event will be held in Minneapolis the week of October 24.
Those interested are encouraged to save the date, as registration is not yet open. Conference organizers are currently seeking proposals for conference presentations, which are due Apr. 1. Submittals can be made online. |
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PLANNING EVENTS OF INTEREST |
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Informational Webinar on the Critical Flood Risk Infrastructure Grants - Mar. 7 from 1:30 - 2:30 p.m.
The NH Department of Environment Services recently announced availability of $4.5M for flood resilience and stormwater management projects located within New Hampshire’s Coastal Watershed.
An informational webinar about the program will be held on Monday, Mar. 7 from 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. to describe this funding opportunity in more detail and answer questions. Those interested should register for the webinar in advance. The meeting will be recorded for those unable to attend, and will be posted on the program webpage after the meeting. |
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Ending Zonings Racist Legacy - Mar 31. 12:30 - 2:00 p.m.
Join the Northern New England Chapter of the American Planning Association (NNECAPA) for its final webinar in its winter series, "Ending Zonings Racist Legacy".
This session, presented by Jennifer Raitt, Director, Department of Planning and Community Development, Town of Arlington, will introduce to the history of zoning practice and contemporary planning tools, discuss federal policies and programs that had a direct impact on racial segregation, and discuss new equitable zoning policies and practices.
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Designing Living Shorelines For Great Bay - Apr. 8 from 9 a.m. - noon
As a culmination of the facilitated design process for the Great Bay Living Shoreline project, project partners are holding a virtual workshop on Friday, Apr. 8 from 9 a.m. - noon.
This workshop will:
- Introduce living shoreline approaches that are suitable for Great Bay, including engineering, planting, and permitting considerations.
- Present suggested designs for four properties that illustrate how living shoreline technique can address diverse goals and site conditions.
- Generate momentum to advance living shoreline approaches in New Hampshire.
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SRPC Welcomes Sarah Tazziz
Strafford Regional Planning Commission welcomes Sarah Tazziz, who started as a municipal record digitization intern on February 8.
She will work alongside Aiden Toth and Tyler DiStefano, and the team of three will be visiting interested municipalities 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.
Sarah is currently enrolled at the University of New Hampshire, and will graduate in May 2022 with a Bachelor’s in Community and Environmental Planning. When not at work, Sarah enjoys yoga, walks with her dog, and listening to music.
Please join us in welcoming Sarah!
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SRPC Thanks Alaina Rogers, Environmental Planner
Friday, Mar. 4, marked environmental planner Alaina Roger's last day at SRPC. Alaina was originally hired in May 2020 as a data collection intern, and was promoted to environmental planner in fall 2020.
All of us at SRPC thank Alaina for her role on the SRPC Team, and will miss her great attitude, enthusiasm, and kindness.
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Save the Date for a NH Planners Association Field Trip! |
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Technical Assistance Opportunity with New Flood Smart Seacoast Project |
The New Hampshire (Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) Coastal Program (NHCP), in partnership with the Rockingham Planning Commission (RPC), Strafford Regional Planning Commission (SRPC), University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension (UNHCE), and New Hampshire Sea Grant (NHSG), is now accepting applications for non-financial technical assistance offered through the NH Flood Smart Seacoast Project. This opportunity will assist NH coastal communities in incorporating best available coastal flood risk science and guidance in decision-making, adopting higher floodplain management standards, and accessing FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance funding.
Technical assistance providers from the NHCP, RPC, SRPC, and/or UNHCE/NHSG will provide direct support to at least 6 coastal communities for an 11-month period from May 2022 through March 2023.
Applications, which are due at 4 p.m. on Monday, Apr. 4, should include:
- a brief description of the project
- an explanation of how the technical assistance will help advance community needs and/or ongoing efforts
- a project timeline
- a list of anticipated project deliverables
- a description of the municipality’s capacity to support the project
- a letter of commitment signed by the City or Town Manager/Administrator or other authorized authority.
Technical assistance proposals will be selected on a competitive basis. Successful applicants will be notified in mid-April and invited to work with their designated technical assistance provider(s) to refine their project work plan and timeline. Participating coastal communities will be required to enter into a memorandum of agreement with their designated technical assistance provider(s).
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This plan was developed through the collaborative efforts of numerous partners and volunteers.
The goal of this project, as explained in the Plan, was to improve Durham’s understanding of future groundwater rise vulnerabilities, build off and expand UNH’s ongoing research on the impacts of sea-level rise on groundwater, and ultimately enable Durham decision-makers to better plan for future conditions so that the Town can continue to improve water quality in the Great Bay Estuary.
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Share Your Housing Successes and Challenges! |
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Are you frustrated with low vacancy rates and high rents? Or, did you find an affordable home in a community you love? We want to hear from you!
Throughout the year, SRPC will be analyzing qualitative and quantitative data to better understand regional housing needs and create a plan for how stakeholders across the state can collaborate to respond to the housing crisis.
Take our public survey now, to become part of the framework for change as we write our 2022 Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA).
Not located within the Strafford planning region? The other eight regional planning commissions are also simultaneously updating their RHNAs, and would love your input! Find out what region you are located in, and access that region's survey on the statewide webpage. |
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Presentation by Author Dan Szczesny at the Nute Library
Tuesday, Mar. 8
3:30 p.m.
Join Author Dan Szczesny at the Nute Libray on Tuesday, Mar. 8 for an in person presentation. Szczesny is a long-time journalist, author and speaker living in NH.
He is a member of the Appalachian Mountain Club's 4,000-footer club and has written exclusively about the outdoors and hiking.
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The Spirit of Johnny Cash at the Rochester Opera House
Friday, Mar. 11
8-10 p.m.
The Rochester Opera House features, "The Spirit of Johnny Cash" on Friday, Mar. 11 from 8 - 10 p.m. Tickets range from $26-30.
Harold Ford’s voice and physical resemblance to Johnny Cash are unmistakable, making him a natural as a Johnny Cash tribute artist. Harold Ford grew up in the foothills country between the Berkshire and Green Mountains bordering New York State. Raised on the old American pioneer songs, at the age of four, Harold began singing duets and harmonies with sister Dorothy. Father accompanied them on the banjo and Mother followed along with the piano. Music and a pioneering love of America became an integral part of his existence.
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