March 6, 2020
Strafford Regional Planning Commission Newsletter
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Isinglass River (
SRPC photo
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Happy March,
With the record warm weather recently I'm sure we can all agree that Punxsutawney Phil's prediction was accurate. Just this week, I was ready to fire up the grill in preparation for spring! While we've still got two weeks to go, we can look forward to more sunlight and seemingly longer days! With that said don't forget to spring forward your clock on Mar. 8.
Here at SRPC we are currently planning outreach events for our upcoming update to the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy, are working on two grant proposals related to equal aging initiatives and recreation planning, and are gathering data for transportation and economic development regional snapshots.
In this issue you will find: information on the 2020 census, available grant funding through various programs like LCHIP, a community spotlight on the Technology Transfer Center, planning events of interest including advanced facilitator training, Nancy's trip to Miami for the Housing Opportunity Conference, opportunities for public input including REDC's economic development visioning session in Newmarket, news you may have missed, and community
happenings.
Until Next Month,
Shayna Sylvia
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IN THIS ISSUE
Countdown to the 2020 Census
Grant Corner
Community Spotlight: Technology Transfer Center
Planning Events of Interest
Reflections on Nancy's Miami Housing Conference
Opportunities for Public Input
In Case You Missed It
Community Happenings
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STAFF SNAPSHOTS - February
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The educational Living Shoreline display created by SRPC installed at Wagon Hill Farm. (
Photo courtesy of the Town of Durham
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Public art photographed by Nancy O'Connor during her off time from the Housing Opportunity Conference in Miami. (
SRPC Photo
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Senator David Watters presents to the SRPC Commission on recycling at its February Commission meeting. (
SRPC Photo)
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As a 2020 Census partner Strafford Regional Planning Commission plays a role in data verification and in sharing information related to the Census. SRPC is one of many partners who helps to promote the census and its importance.
Every 10 years, the US Census Bureau undertakes a mammoth task: counting all the people residing in the United States. This count affects the allocation of funding for our communities' public resources (e.g., roads, hospitals, schools), how we plan for the future, and our voice in government. An accurate snapshot means that communities across the nation receive the funding, services, and business support they deserve and need. And your responses are confidential.
For the first time, in 2020 the U.S. Census Bureau will accept responses online. The process will be quick and secure, and while the online option is new, you’ll still be able to respond by mail.
The Census officially goes live on Mar. 12, at which point you can logon to
https://2020census.gov/en.html
and take the survey. Citizens will also be sent reminders to take the survey by May. Beginning in May, Census takers will begin visiting homes of those that haven't responded to make sure everyone is counted.
April 1, Census Day (and no, this is not an April Fool's), is also an important date and is used as a point of reference for those who split their time equally between two residences. That person would report using their location on April 1.
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New Hampshire State Council on the Arts - Various Deadlines
The New Hampshire State Council on the Arts in now accepting grant applications for the 2021 fiscal year. The earliest deadline, for the youth art project grants, is due Mar. 27 with other deadlines in April, May, June, and July. A complete list of programs and deadlines is available
online
.
As cited on the its website the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts shares, "Arts grants impact our communities in many ways, helping to promote a lively economy and enhance the quality of life in communities." To learn about previously funded arts grants and the impact they have in New Hampshire, please
click here
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Land and Community Heritage Investment Program - Intent to Apply forms due May 15
The Land and Community Heritage Investment Program (LCHIP) will hold grant workshops for its 2020 funding year beginning in February. The Historic Resource applicant workshop will take place on Apr. 29 in Concord. The State Conservation Grants Workshop will take place on Wednesday, Apr. 8 in Concord. The workshops are mandatory to be able to apply for
funding.
As explained on its website, “The New Hampshire Land and Community Heritage Investment Program (LCHIP) is an independent state authority that makes matching grants to NH communities and non-profits to conserve and preserve New Hampshire’s most important natural, cultural and historic resources.” Learn more or register
online
.
2020 AARP Community Challenge Grants - Due April 1
AARP invites you to submit applications for quick-action projects that can help YOUR community become more livable. Applications are now being accepted through April 1, 2020, 11:59 p.m. ET for grants to improve housing, transportation, public spaces, smart cities, civic engagement and other elements that support great places for people of all ages. Since 2017, AARP has funded 376 projects representing all 50 states, D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
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Community Spotlight: Partner Edition
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The
University of New Hampshire's Technology Transfer Center,
a close partner to Strafford Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), "fosters a safe, efficient, and environmentally sound surface transportation system by improving skills and increasing knowledge of the transportation workforce and decision makers."
Strafford MPO works with the Technology Transfer Station on its Statewide Asset and Data Exchange System (SADES) program. The goal of the SADES program is to establish a standard processes and central database for many local and state entities that can be used to track and measure changing conditions. It is through this program that data collection for culverts, sidewalk assessments and road surface management systems (RSMS) has been standardized among regional planning commissions.
The Technology Transfer Center also holds many training, workshops and webinars, and recently posted several new events including:
Learn more about the trainings, and about the Technology Transfer station
online
.
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Planning Events of Interest
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NH Listens Facilitator Training - Wednesday, Mar. 25 and Saturday, May 9
NH Listens is holding upcoming facilitator training events in March, and again in May. The workshop is intended to help people who serve in a facilitator role for work or volunteer activities to enhance their confidence to remain neutral, productively address issues, and encourage and move conversation in a constructive manner.
This March workshop will take place the Belknap Mill in Laconia, NH, and the May event will be held at the Robinwood Center in Stratham. The workshop fee is $50 but may be reduced or waived for students and those with financial need.
Saving Special Places - Saturday, April 4
The annual Saving Special Places conference will be held at Prospect Mountain High School in Alton, NH.
The conference is organized by UNH Cooperative Extension with a handful of other
partners
.
Sessions will cover topics including conservation planning for lake protection, recreation management and planning for land conservation organizations, trails for all in the granite state, and signage to enhance visitor experience at natural areas, among others.
Community Engagement and Public Policy - Wednesday, April 8
Sarah Wrightsman, Executive Director for the Workforce Housing Coalition of the Greater Seacoast and housing planner for the Regional Economic Development Center, will lead a coffee and conversations event on Apr. 8. Sarah will discuss Community Engagement and Public Policy.
Learn more about Sarah, and register for this session
online
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Planner Nancy O'Connor's Reflections on the Housing Opportunity Conference
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When you live in New Hampshire and you see a conference happening in Miami at the end of February, you FIND A WAY TO MAKE IT HAPPEN! As equity and engagement planner, I applied for funding through New Hampshire Housing and Finance Authority for an educational grant. (Thank you NHHFA!) Happily, it was awarded, and the planning began! The Urban Land Institute’s “Housing Opportunity Conference” was held in Miami February 23-26.
The conference brings together a diverse mix of private and nonprofit real estate professionals with one common goal – to expand opportunities for housing in their communities. In his opening statement, Ron Terwilliger, the founder of the Terwilliger Center for Housing, said “Equity is an economic imperative.”
Besides the sunshine, warm air, and abundant foliage that made it a great trip, the conference was a fantastic opportunity to hear from experts on the cutting edge of research, real estate, development, and architecture. It proved to be an invaluable source of experience, inspiration, and new knowledge. I attended sessions on new research and tools for housing development, building for seniors, the state of the US housing market, and getting the formula right for mixed-income communities to name a few.
The final day was a great tour of transit-oriented development in Miami which really put into context a lot of what we had heard about the prior days. It was a jam-packed few days and I came home filled up with ideas, new understanding, and fresh points of view. It is always so invigorating to meet new people from all over the country who have similar objectives, but varying experiences, and are willing to share and learn from each other. I’m excited and looking forward to sharing the knowledge with others here in NH and applying innovative ideas to help work on housing and accessibility problems and challenges.
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Opportunities for Public Input
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As part of the 2020 planning process, Regional Economic Development Center (REDC) will hold a public visioning session at the Stone Church in Newmarket on Monday, Mar. 6. The event will take place from 5
–
7 p.m. and is one of four sessions being held as part of the update the REDC's Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS).
Strafford Regional Planning Commission has partnered with REDC for this event as Newmarket, Nottingham and Northwood are in SRPC's planning region, but fall within REDC's economic development region.
However, the event is open to all communities in the SRPC region.
The purpose of these sessions is to gather public and municipal input on the goals, opportunities, and weaknesses of our region and to come up with priorities to be addressed from an economic development perspective over the next five years.
REDC and the CEDS Steering Committee will use the information gathered at these events to update and refine the goals and objectives of the CEDS.
RSVP is required for the event, which will feature a keynote speaker followed by a facilitated visioning session to gather public input.
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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is seeking public comment on the proposed 2020 National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Multi-Sector General Permit (MSGP) for stormwater discharges associated with industrial activity in areas where EPA is the NPDES permitting authority. This proposed permit would replace EPA’s 2015 MSGP upon finalization.
EPA will take comments on the proposal during a 60-day comment period, which began on March 3, 2020 and ends May 1, 2020. Comments can be submitted on www.regulations.gov for docket ID # EPA-HQ-OW-2019-0372.
The Federal Register Notice, proposed permit documents, and all supporting information can be found on the docket
online
.
Information is also available on EPA’s Industrial Stormwater
website
.
EPA will also host two informational webcasts to give an overview of the proposed changes to the permit. The webinars will be recorded and posted on EPA’s Industrial Stormwater website for those who are unable to attend.
- Webcast 1: Proposed 2020 MSGP Tuesday, March 10, 2020 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. (eastern time) Register
- Webcast 2: Proposed 2020 MSGP Thursday, April 9, 2020 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. (eastern time) Register
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SRPC Highlights Importance of Regional Recreational Resources and Access
Strafford Regional Planning Commission (SRPC) released recreation maps for each of its eighteen communities as an outcome of the Pathways to Play project completed in early February. The maps showcase areas with recreational opportunities including but not limited to baseball fields, fishing, swimming, trails, and playgrounds, and are a great resource for those looking to enjoy the region's abundant natural resources and facilities. The maps also include important information about access.
The maps complement a detailed report that highlights regional trends such as percentage of population under five, parks & playgrounds, recreational access from regional bus routes, and other important data pairings.
Funding for these activities was awarded to SRPC by the NH Children's Health Foundation in Dec. 2018 in response to its "Pathways to Play: A Roadmap for Active Recreation" project proposal. The grant program, whose focus is to support projects that prevent childhood obesity, promote oral health, and reduce food insecurity, also supported a pilot project in the City of Somersworth as part of Pathways to Play. SRPC partnered with the City to use the data and maps in creating a customized recreation accessibility plan.
The reports, maps, and information about the Pathways to Play project can be found on SRPC's website at:
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NH Flood Hazards Handbook for Municipal Officials Workshop
The NH Coastal Adaptation Workgroup (CAW) will be holding an upcoming workshop on the handbook on April 30 at the Lee Safety Complex Lee, NH. The three-hour workshop (9 a.m. - noon) will allow attendees to learn how to help their communities prepare for, respond to, and recover from floods.
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Chloe Feldman Emison
Thursday, Mar. 12
6
– 8 p.m.
Rochester Public
Library
The Rochester Museum of Fine Arts will hold an artist reception for Chloe Feldman Emison at the Rochester Public Library on Mar. 12. Ms. Emison
has exhibited her drawings and animations widely in the United States and Europe, while working also as an illustrator.
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Beekeeping 101
Tuesday, Mar. 17
6 – 7:30 p.m.
The Goodwin Library
Sponsored by the Farmington Conservation Commission & Goodwin Library, Beekeeping 101 is a free program occurring on Mar. 17 at 6 at Farmington's Goodwin Library.
The program will answer question for those considering keeping bees, or just those who want to learn more about the process. Hosted from a permaculture perspective from beekeeper Amy Antonucci, this presentation will cover basic beekeeping terms, basic honeybee biology, equipment needed to get started, types of honeybees and how to get them.
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Dog Yoga: A Benefit Class for Operation Delta Dog
Sunday, March 29
1 – 3 p.m.
Bending Bodhi Yoga
Bending Bodhi Yoga in Dover will be hosting a fundraiser yoga event for Operation Delta Dog on Mar. 29.
Operation Delta Dog rescues homeless dogs and provides training for them to be service animals for local veterans dealing with PTSD and TBI. Yoga class will be held from 1-2 p.m. with a pack of well-trained dogs. Following class, from 2-3 p.m., a demo from an Operation Delta Dog trainer and dog will showcase what goes into making a service dog.
A $20 donation is required to secure a spot. Learn more
online
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