A subcommittee of CommuteSmart NH met to discuss the upcoming Buses, Bikes & Brooms Commuter Challenge. (SRPC photo)
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Planning
Following the kick-off in July, and attendance at Somersworth's National Night Out on Aug. 3, the POP! Summer Recreation Passport program is in full swing. Intended to encourage residents and visitors to explore the unique recreational opportunities in the Strafford region, the POP! project includes an interactive map of over 340 sites, and paper and digital passports for users to log visits and win prizes.
During the week of August 9, the first raffle prize winner was pulled, with additional winners to be drawn in the following weeks.
The family friendly version of the passport can be picked up at local libraries and other businesses (see the list in the sidebar of the POP! webpage).
Please share this awesome resource with family and friends, and learn more about the project on the POP! webpage.
Pieces of Interest
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Transportation
On Wednesday, Aug. 11, communications and outreach planner Shayna Sylvia attended a CommuteSmart NH (CSNH) subcommittee meeting focused on the upcoming Buses, Bikes & Brooms commuter challenge. This month-long competition in October encourages businesses and employers from across the state to form teams to compete for the most sustainable commute trips. Participants can telecommute, bike, walk, skateboard, carpool, use transit, or any combination of these modes in order to compete.
At their meeting, Committee members discussed logistics for this year's challenge, and brainstormed ways to engage smart commuters across the state. For this year's competition, CSNH will have a costume contest with raffle prizes awarded to those who participate.
The committee also discussed adjusting the challenge timeline, which may be shortened to two weeks this year. More information on the timeline will be updated on the CommuteSmart NH website, as it becomes available.
Pieces of Interest
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Economic Development
Strafford Economic Development District (EDD) is currently operating its second round of funding for its Brownfields program through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). A brownfield is defined by the Environmental Protection Agency as "real property, where the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant." Examples of brownfields include former gas stations, mills or industrial buildings, dry cleaners, leaking underground storage tanks, or schools with lead or asbestos.
Strafford EDD's program, which began in 2015 has seen some important success stories over the years, which include the recently repurposed Hilltop School in Somersworth. This site was prioritized through Strafford EDD's Phase I and Phase II assessment process, which as explained in the EPA feature article, "led to the discovery of minor issues ‐ floor tiles, pipe insulation and other building materials containing asbestos, items with PCBs, and lead paint in the woodwork, all due to age of the building."
With the problem areas identified, the City of Somersworth was able to secure funding through the EPA for cleanup, in addition to selling the property to a private developer under a tax incentive for housing and historic preservation.
Pieces of Interest
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