SRPC's Monthly Newsletter | |
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There seems to be two schools of thought on snow: those who grumble and see it as a nuisance and those who enjoy it. I belong to the latter group up until March 30, when I switch alliances and join the grumblers!
February is a busy month for Towns as they prepare for March Town Meeting. It is also when the days are getting longer; when I have exhausted my Netflix queue; and when I start to plan and prepare for my garden.
In this issue you will find information on International Winter Ride Your Bike to Work Day, staff news including our newest staff member, partner spotlight, planning events of interest, public input opportunities, and community happenings.
Enjoy the snow!
Until next month,
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Staff news
Ride your bike to work day
Newmarket's Master Plan
Planning events of interest
In case you missed it
Grant Corner
New planning resources
Public input opportunities
Employment opportunities
Community happenings
| Colin Lentz shoveling out the SRPC Van! | | |
SRPC welcomes new GIS Intern, Brian Notinger. Brian is a junior Geography Major at the University of New Hampshire, graduating in December 2024. He is originally from Nashua, NH and currently resides in Durham, NH. Brian’s interests include most outdoor activities, particularly hiking, skiing, and canoeing, along with listening to and playing music. He is in 4 bands! | |
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February 9, 2024 is International Winter Ride your Bike to Work Day! | |
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International Winter Bike to Work Day takes place on the 2nd Friday in February each year, all around the globe. It's a great introduction to winter commuting and encourages riders to push their mental and physical limits.
Take the Pledge! Let us know you plan to join by pledging to ride and show that people who ride bikes in New Hampshire have got what it takes! Plus, you'll be entered to win one of five prizes from REI Bedford!
Working from home? That's ok! Go ride around your community- run an errand, visit a friend! Live too far away to bike? Consider combining your trip with public transit, or driving part of the way.
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On Tuesday, January 30th, Principal Planner Angie Cleveland and Regional Planner Autumn Scott met with Newmarket staff Bart McDonough (Director of Planning & Community Development) and Lyndsay Butler (Town Engineer), and professionals from PLAN NH, Tiffany Tononi McNamara, Alissa Del Tufo, and Brian Pratt to begin the planning process for an upcoming design charette on October 18 and 19, 2024. The design charette is part of a larger effort between project partners to advance a comprehensive update to Newmarket’s Master Plan, and will focus on the downtown riverfront area (shown in the locus map) as part of a new Downtown Riverfront Community Design chapter. The chapter will incorporate a comprehensive land use and vision to improve and preserve areas of the downtown riverfront, in pursuit of the enhancement of riverfront access for all abilities and socio-economic demographics and expansion of low impact uses that promote social connectivity, recreational opportunities, and better public health outcomes.
Stay tuned for additional details and reach out to Regional Planner Autumn Scott at ascott@strafford.org with any questions relating to the chapter or charrette process.
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Farmington Route 11 Corridor Study
The Town of Farmington has made great progress on the Route 11 Corridor Study! SRPC has published the results of the market and demographic analysis and it's now online. Stay tuned for important pieces of this report as we break it down into top trends for the Town. Thanks to Resilience Planning & Design, RKG & Associates, and Fougere Planning for their work on this report! View the report here.
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PLANNING EVENTS OF INTEREST | |
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Civics 101: A Brief Introduction to Municipal Government
Civics 101 is a community‐based learning course offered by the City of Rochester’s Office for Public Information and Community Engagement. The facilitated presentation and discussion encourages participants to explore skills needed for active citizenship and recognize how individual civic actions can affect change.
The course outline features several topics, including ‘How Rochester’s Municipal Government Works’, ‘How to Find Information’, ‘How to Vote (and why it’s so important)’, ‘How to Make Your Voice Heard’, and ‘How to Get More Involved’.
Sign-ups are available now for the following dates/times:
- Thursday, February 8 (9:00 am - 10:30 am)
- Thursday, May 9 (6:00 pm - 7:30 pm)
- Thursday, August 8 (9:00 am - 10:30 am)
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Town of Newmarket’s Housing and Open Space Survey
This weekend is your last chance to respond to the Town of Newmarket’s Housing and Open Space Survey! The survey is being conducted as a part of a comprehensive update to the Town’s Master Plan. The Master Plan engages members of the community to create a vision and plan for the future. We want to hear from YOU to create this vision! Reach out to Principal Planner Angie Cleveland at acleveland@strafford.org for questions relating to the project.
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The 2024 AARP Community Challenge Grant is open!
This Program provides small grants to fund quick-action projects that can help communities become more livable for people of all ages. In 2024, the AARP Community Challenge will be accepting applications for three different grant opportunities. Learn about the requirements and how to apply on a free webinar this Wednesday. RSVP today!
For Non-Profits - Bank of America Charitable Foundation
Bank of America is accepting grants through February 16, 2024 for innovative, longer-term solutions that build economic self-sufficiency in communities. In 2024, the Bank of America Charitable Foundation will issue two requests for proposals (RFPs) on the priority focus area of economic mobility focused on the needs of individuals and families including workforce development, education, and basic needs or communities including housing, small business, and neighborhood revitalization.
Click here to learn more about the grants and the eligibility criteria.
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Workforce Housing Coalition of the Greater Seacoast
New Hampshire PBS teamed up with producer Jay Childs and Sarah Wrightsman of NH Housing, to develop two 25 minute “Communities and Consequences” roundtables where housing professionals and land use planners work through the challenges of building more housing for all to see.
Local Solutions to the States Housing Crisis Webinar Series
The New Hampshire Municipal Association and others are teaming up for a five-session Local Solutions to the State’s Housing Crisis webinar series throughout February and March. Registration is now open for these free virtual sessions.
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Dover Chamber of Commerce 22nd Annual Sweepstakes
Don’t miss your chance to win $10,000 cash! Tickets are on sale now for the Greater Dover Chamber of Commerce’s 22nd Annual Sweepstakes. Tickets are $50 each, and only 300 tickets will be sold. The drawing will be held Feb. 13 at Filotimo Casino at Dover Bowl. To learn more and purchase tickets, visit: dovernh.org/sweeps
Free Fruit Tree Pruning Workshops
The Town of Durham, with the endorsement of the Durham Agricultural Commission's has created a series of fruit tree pruning workshops in the months of February and March. These workshops will be held in different locations on Saturdays from 1-4 pm starting February 17, 2024. Visit the Town of Durham Facebook page for more information.
Guided Winter Walk
Saturday, February 24, 10:00 AM: GUIDED WINTER WALK at Town of Milton Casey Road Conservation Land. Retired Forester and SRPC Commissioner from Milton, Jonathan Nute, will point out features of interest in the forest, including signs of wildlife and old stone structures. Our route will explore the new loop footpaths recently created by our Trail Volunteers. The event is free, but participants are asked to RSVP by mail mcc@miltonnh-us.com. In case of snow or mud in the parking lot, park along the right side or dead end of Casey Road. No pets at this event, please.
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Strafford Regional Planning Commission
150 Wakefield Street, Suite 12
Rochester, NH 03867
www.strafford.org
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