SRPC's Monthly Newsletter: September 2023

Greetings,

The kids are back in school and it’s getting darker earlier – fall is around the corner!

In August, SRPC was hard at work with several master plan updates, an accessibility audit for Rochester’s downtown, the Active Transportation Plan, the launch of a transit access study with the Rockingham Planning Commission, time in the field, web updates, and more! Wow!

We hope you enjoy the long weekend!

Mark & Autumn

Today is National Food Bank Day!

Strafford CAP

Sharefund

Maui Food Bank

NOFA-NH’s Guide to Farmshare Donations in NH

September is National Preparedness Month! FEMA & President Biden have announced this year's theme of older adults and their caregivers!

IN THIS ISSUE

NH's Digital Equity Plan

Rt. 108 Complete Streets

Tour of Olson Center

Planning Events of Interest

Public Input Opportunities

Community Happenings

Northwood Master Plan Housing Chapter Survey Open Until September 8

Barrington Master Plan Housing Chapter Survey Open Through September

Community Forum Being Held Saturday, Sept. 30 at 9am at the Early Childhood Learning Center.

American Planning Association leadership election live NOW!

RFQ Live

SRPC is seeking qualified engineering firms to provide engineering support services for our transportation program. The selected candidate will work with SRPC staff and municipalities to develop planning-level designs and cost estimates for transportation projects in the region. See the full Request for Qualifications on SRPC's website. Reach out to Colin with any questions.

New Hampshire Digital Equity Plan

Digital access and skill have become increasingly important for so many aspects of everyday life, for people of all ages and all circumstances, especially for those who are English learners, elders, persons of color, veterans, disabled, low income, rural inhabitants, and incarcerated populations. NH’s digital equity funding can be used to address digital divide challenges, e.g., relating to access to affordable broadband, computers, digital skills and cyber safety skill development, technical support, multilingual tech support, and more.

SRPC is working with New Hampshire’s digital equity experts in guiding the development of NH’s plan, and to encourage all who are interested in the region to help shape the plan. Over the next several months, a select team will be seeking public comment on vital elements including identification of digital divide barriers to improve economic and educational opportunity, healthcare access, and civic engagement.

You can learn about the many ways to become involved, share your insights and concerns, and help craft New Hampshire’s digital future – at https://www.nhdigitalequity.org/ for many upcoming opportunities – from an online survey and online forums to in-person meetings across the state.

We hope you’ll join us! Contact Data Analyst Rachel Dewey for more information.

Progress Made on Route 108 Complete Streets Effort

SRPC has been working with NHDOT, consultant McFarland Johnson, and Dover, Rochester, and Somersworth for several years to plan a “complete streets” upgrade to the NH108 corridor through the three cities. McFarland Johnson has developed some preliminary designs that have been reviewed and edited by the cities. McFarland Johson is now launching a new public outreach phase of the project

Three public meetings for the NH108 complete streets project have been scheduled:

Dover on Sept 19th at 3pm (location TBD)
Somersworth on Sept 21st at 3pm (City Hall)
Rochester on Sept 26th at 3pm (Public Works building)

Information about the project can be found on this NHDOT website. Questions? Reach out to Senior Planner Colin Lentz.

Seacoast Economic Development Stakeholders Tours Manufacturing Center

The Seacoast Economic Development Stakeholders (SEDS) group is meeting in person again! On Tuesday, August 29th, twenty-one SEDS and community members took a tour of the Olson Advanced Manufacturing Center at the University of New Hampshire and WOW! Our minds are officially blown! This unique facility in Durham provides innovative, state of the art, advanced manufacturing equipment, internship opportunities and other support to entrepreneurs and small businesses all over New England.

Many thanks to John Roth, the Director of the Center, for the amazing tour and Darren Winham, the Economic Development Director of Exeter, for making it happen! We will meet in person for SEDS meetings quarterly, and in between we will meet monthly through Zoom. Our next SEDS meeting will be virtual on Tuesday, September 26 at 9AM. Stay tuned for more details!

Planning Events of Interest

FEMA Webinar on Preparedness for Older Adult Service Providers

Wednesday, September 6, 10:30am

"Many older adults depend on community service providers for necessities and psychosocial support. However, these crucial services may be disrupted during disasters, impacting older adults in your community. This workshop prepares organizations that provide critical support services to older adults. The webinar will discuss continuity of operations, preparedness planning for older adults, disaster mental health issues, and case studies."

Register on FEMA's website.

USDA Urban Agriculture Webinar

Wednesday, September 6, 12:30pm

A case study of Philadelphia's urban agriculture boom.

Register on zoom.

Introduction to HUD's PRO-Housing Grant Program

Wednesday, September 6, 1pm

An overview of PRO-Housing funding.

Register on Up For Growth's website.

NH Food Alliance Network Cafes & Release of Food System Report

Starting Friday, September 8, 12pm

The NH Food Alliance’s 2023-2024 Network Café Series will explore A Regional Approach to Food System Resilience, its report of foundational food system data commissioned and released by the New England State Food System Planners Partnership.

More information from NH Food Alliance.

NHMA Municipal Budget & Finance Workshop

Tuesday, September 21

“The Budget and Finance workshop is targeted at municipal officials and employees involved in the budgeting process, including members of governing bodies and budget committees, town managers, administrators, department heads and finance staff.

9am to 4:45pm Derryfield Restaurant & CC, Manchester.

Register on NHMA's website.

Tenant-Landlord Experiences with the Emergency Rental Assistance Program

Friday, September 13

“This webinar will provide an overview of research conducted by the National Low Income Housing Coalition, HIP at UPENN, and Reinvestment Fund evaluating how tenants and landlords experienced the ERA program and measuring tenant outcomes.”

To attend the webinar, visit the Zoom registration form.

Inclusive Transportation Planning & Engineering

Tuesday, September 19, 1pm

An overview of accessible planning projects presented by auhtors Veronica Davis and Lynn Peterson.

To attend the webinar, visit the Zoom registration form.

How to Start and Utilize Capital Improvement Programs

Thursday, September 21, 12pm

“Please Join Stephanie N. Verdile, Principal Planner at the Office of Planning and Development (OPD) and Michael Tardiff, Executive Director of the Central New Hampshire Regional Planning Commission (CNHRPC) for an overview and introduction to the municipal Capital Improvement Program (CIP). Stephanie and Michael will also offer best practices, tips and CIP goals for board members and planning staff on how to prepare and get through the CIP process.”

Teams registration here.

2023 NH Housing & Economy Conference

Wednesday, October 4

“The agenda for our half-day conference includes:

Preview of our new School Enrollment & Housing Issue Paper
NH Zoning Atlas - Early Trends in Use
Converting Commercial Space to Housing
Analysis of NH's Short-Term Rental Market”

Public Input Opportunities

GACIT Public Hearings Coming in September

The Governor’s Advisory Commission on Intermodal Transportation (GACIT), which is made up of the five Executive Councilors and the Commissioner of the New Hampshire Department of Transportation (NHDOT), has scheduled public hearings to receive public comments/testimony on transportation projects and priorities included in the draft 2025-2034 Ten-Year Transportation Improvement Plan, as recommended by the New Hampshire Department of Transportation to GACIT. Those not able to attend the meetings can submit written testimony within 10 days of the completion of the Public Hearings (but no later than November 3, 2023 at 4 pm).

Three Strafford area meetings are scheduled:

Tuesday, September 26 at 3pm at Durham Town Hall
Thursday, September 28 at 4pm at Rochester City Hall
Thursday, September 28 at 7pm at Dover City Hall

Copies of documents related to the Ten-Year Transportation Improvement Plan (2025-2034) will be available for review on the NHDOT website after the first Public Hearing on September 7, 2023, or by contacting the Bureau of Planning & Community Assistance at the Department of Transportation (603) 271-3344. Not sure where to start? Chat with Senior Planner Colin Lentz.

Active Transportation Plan

Want a first look at SRPC’s Active Transportation Plan? This plan, also known as the “Bike-Ped Plan,” is a first for SRPC and identifies how the region can work toward filling gaps in the pedestrian and cyclist network, with special attention to accessibility and safety. The Technical Advisory Committee will be reviewing the plan’s goals and strategies at its regular meeting on Friday, September 8 at 9am. The workshop is open to the public and will be held in-person in the SRPC office, 150 Wakefield Street, Ste. 12, Rochester or on Zoom. For more information, contact Regional Planner Mark Davie.