NOTICE: Our next e-news update, Bits and Pieces, will be postponed until July 15. | |
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July 1, 2022
STRAFFORD REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION NEWSLETTER
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Public art installation in Concord, NH (SRPC photo). | |
Greetings,
Happy Fiscal New Year! We have just wrapped up another successful year here at Strafford Regional Planning Commission (SRPC). A huge thank you not only to SRPC commissioners, staff and management for their hard work, but to our communities, funders, partners, and stakeholders who make it all possible.
Looking forward, we will be writing master plan chapters for Strafford and Barrington, will be drafting our first Active Transportation plan, and will be kicking off an update to the SRPC Comprehensive Regional Plan.
In this issue you will find information on SRPC’s latest videos, a new podcast from the City of Dover, UNH’s recent New Hampshire Climate Assessment, SRPC’s new role with the NH Association of Regional Planning Commissions, planning events of interest; staff news, a blog on SRPC’s Resilient Shoreline Tour, a NH CAW survey opportunity you may have missed and community happenings.
Until Next Month,
Shayna Sylvia
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IN THIS ISSUE
SRPC's Latest Videos
Partner Spotlight: City of Dover
UNH Releases NH Climate Assessment '21
SRPC Takes NHARPC Staff Support Role
Planning Events of Interest
Staff News: Congrats to Natalie and Anthony!
SRPC Resilient Shoreline Tour Blog
In Case You Missed It: CAW Survey
Community Happenings
| SRPC Commissioners pose for a photo following the 2022 Annual Meeting. (SRPC Photo) | NHPA President Donna Benton awards Farmington resident Charlie King with Citizen Planner of the Year. He was nominated by SRPC principal planner Kyle Pimental. (SRPC photo) | |
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June 2022 Joint SRPC and Policy Meeting
On June 17, SRPC held a joint meeting of the Commission and the Strafford MPO.
This meeting included two public hearings, one for Amendment 4 to the 2021-2024 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), and one for the 2022 Update toe the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS). The Commission also processed important FY 2023 items, like the budget and approved its slate of officers.
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"Protecting Our Local Food Systems" - June 2022 Resiliency Roundtable
On Monday, Jun. 20, SRPC held another meeting in its Resiliency Roundtable series. The topic discussed, protecting our local food systems, was informed by guest speakers Jeremy Lougee (SELT), Allison Leach (UNH Sustainability Institute), and Erin Hale, a research and planning associate with Food Solutions New England.
Participants learned about:
- the ways agriculture can impact the environment
- solutions for a more resilient food system, and
- the region’s agricultural landscape and related assets and challenges.
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SRPC 2022 Annual Meeting
On Thursday, Jun. 24, SRPC held its annual meeting at the Governor's Inn in Rochester.
Attendees enjoyed an engaging presentation on public art and placemaking. Moderator Shayna Sylvia, guided panelists Chris Archer, Donna Benton and Matt Wyatt through two rounds focused on the questions:
- Why is public art and placemaking important, and why should a community invest?
- What information and resources are there for communities seeking to integrate public arts into community planning?
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Of June 2, the City of Dover released the inaugural episode of its Dover Download podcast.
This new show provides a weekly look at what's happening in Dover, and is hosted by Deputy City Manager Christopher Parker.
In each episode Parker takes a deeper dive into the services, programs, and projects throughout the city.
So far Parker has discussed Dover's waterfront project, updates at the library, paving and construction projects going on throughout the summer, and Dover's Recreation Department.
Check it out via your favorite streaming platform.
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UNH Releases New Hampshire Climate Assessment 2021 | |
Flooding at Durham's Town Landing (Photo credit: NH Coastal Adaptation Workgroup). | |
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On Wednesday, Jun. 29, the University of New Hampshire published a press release to announce the publication of the 2021 N.H. Climate Assessment Report.
The report warns of the effects of climate change in the next 80 years, if action is not taken. Data conveys that by 2100, "most of New Hampshire could expect 50 to 60 days a year to be above 90°F"
Projections also show more extreme weather events and more extreme precipitation.
Co-author, associate professor of geography and N.H. state climatologist Mary Stampone shares, "...an increase in the amount of rain could threaten the state’s infrastructure because many of our storm water systems, built decades ago, were not designed for the higher surface runoff we see now, let alone what we expect in the coming decades. We’re already seeing these issues along the Seacoast.”
The report also takes a unique approach to visualizing the data in comparing 10 communities from around NH, from Colebrook to Keene to the Seacoast.
View the report in full via UNH.
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SRPC Takes Staff Support Role for NH Association of Regional Planning Commissions | |
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After serving in the role of staff support for the NH Association of Regional Planning Commissions (NHARPC) for the last 18 years, Southwest Planning Commission's Tim Murphy and Becky Baldwin have now passed the torch.
SRPC executive director Jen Czysz and office coordinator, Megan Taylor-Fetter will now fulfill the associated duties, with the support of the newly elected chair, Jerry Coogan. Coogan is a longtime planner, and Commissioner at Upper Valley Lake Sunapee Regional Planning Commission.
A huge acknowledgement to Tim and Becky for their work and dedication to NHARPC over the last two decades.
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PLANNING EVENTS OF INTEREST | |
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Smart Growth America's Equity Forum: Upending Cultural Displacement - Wednesday, Jul. 13, 4:00 p.m.
Join Smart Growth America’s (SGA) Equity Forum: Upending Cultural Displacement on July 13, 2022. This session is a continuation of SGA's year-round equity programming—anchored by the Equity Summit programming focused on advancing racial equity through smart growth.
Speakers include:
- Dr. Maria Rosario Jackson, National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), Chair
- Jupiter Peraza, Director of Social Justice & Empowerment Initiatives at The Transgender District
- Benny Starr, Hip-hop artist and Artist-in-residence with the US Water Alliance
This event will be moderated by Kristen Jeffers, Founder, and Editor-in-chief, The Black Urbanist
Learn more and register via SGA's website.
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Planning Lunches at Noon: Introduction to Preservation Planning in New Hampshire - Thursday, Jun. 21, noon - 3 p.m.
Join the Office of Planning and Development (OPD) for its next Planning Lunches at Noon event focused on preservation planning tools that can be implemented at the local level.
OPD Principal Planner, Stephanie Verdile will host presenters Nadine Miller, Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer for the New Hampshire Division of Historical Resources (DHR) and Brandee Loughlin, Preservation Planning & Development Coordinator from New Hampshire’s State Historic Preservation Office, for this hour-long program.
Miller and Loughlin will provide an introduction to the variety of DHR programs offered, a discussion of the differences between Historic District Commissions and Heritage Commissions, and an overview of the various tools that can be used by communities in preserving their important historic and cultural resources will be presented.
The webinar will conclude with a Q&A session.
Registration is required and be done so online.
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Economic Recovery Coordinator Natalie Moles Gets Married
On June 4, SRPC economic recovery coordinator Natalie Moles tied the knot with Anthony Gemma in Hopkinton, MA, in the backyard of Anthony's childhood home. And, to add to the excitement, they recently moved to Denver, Colorado!
Join us in congratulating Natalie and Anthony as they embark on their new adventure as husband and wife!
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Data analyst Rachel Dewey was promoted to senior planner, from regional planner III.
Rachel has worked at SRPC since November of 2015.
In her time at SRPC her favorite project has been a recent one, working on the update to SRPC's Regional Housing Needs Assessment. This encompasses heavy data analysis and regional collaboration with other RPCs and state entities.
Join us in congratulating Rachel!
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Communications and outreach planner Shayna Sylvia was promoted to senior planner, from regional planner III.
Shayna has worked at SRPC since November of 2012.
In her time at SRPC her favorite projects have been re-designing the SRPC website, creating the new SRPC logo, and working on outreach and marketing for Promoting Outdoor Play!
Join us in congratulating Shayna!
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SRPC's Resilient Shoreline Tour Featured in Blog Post | |
Resilient Shoreline Tour Stop in Newmarket. | |
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SRPC partnered with NH Sea Grant and the Great Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve to facilitate a tour of Great Bay shoreline sites in Dover, Durham and Newmarket on Wednesday, Jun. 22.
34 people attended this 3-stop event, which allowed for teachable moments on the unique flooding risks at each location before encouraging dialogue on, "strategies for
making our shorelines more resilient, including ideas for built and natural infrastructure and community engagement."
At each stop knowledgeable planners and city staff spoke to ongoing logistics and approaches when it came to their respective location.
Check out photos, read the blog, and learn more via the Great Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve website.
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Inland Communities of NH's Coastal Watershed - Resilience Survey | |
The NH Coastal Adaptation Workgroup (CAW) is conducting a short survey to ensure coastal watershed communities are resourceful, ready and resilient to the impacts of extreme weather and long-term climate change.
It is intended for municipal staff and officials, and local residents in the communities of: Barrington, Brookfield, Farmington, Lee, Middleton, Milton, New Durham, Northwood, Nottingham, Rochester, Somersworth, Strafford and Wakefield.
CAW wants to expand the support, education, technical assistance, and resources it provides on issues like inland flooding, extreme precipitation and winter storms, extreme heat, and other impacts of climate change. As CAW builds expertise in these subject areas, it also aims to expand its geographic focus beyond the communities that are located on the coast or Great Bay shores and to learn from and collaborate with communities in the upper coastal watershed.
Your input on this survey will help CAW to develop resources and future programming that will benefit your community.
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Moose Mountains Market
Branch Hill Farm
Friday, Jul. 1 (Additional Dates: 8/5, 9/2)
3-6 p.m.
Join Explore Moose Mountains for its second farmers market at Branch Hill Farm. Enjoy music by Alec Thomas, recreate on the Camsie Anna Nature Trail, visit the Stall Shoppe and check out 10 awesome vendors!
Learn more online.
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Lilac Family Fun Festival
and City Fireworks
Spaulding High School and James W. Foley Memorial Community Center
Saturday, July 9, 2022, 4 - 9 pm
Join the City of Rochester for free kiddie carnival rides for young children, games, food trucks, local vendors, family-friendly activities, and live entertainment.
The night will conclude with the fireworks.
Learn more online.
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Other Fourth of July/Firework Events:
Dover
Milton
Wakefield
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Strafford Regional Planning Commission
150 Wakefield Street, Suite 12
Rochester, NH 03867
www.strafford.org
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