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Good afternoon,
I hope your year is off to a positive start and that you've been enjoying the recent shift to more winter weather. At CCRPC, we've welcomed 2023 by kicking off new projects (like the South Burlington Walk Bike Bridge Connections and the Winooski Walk Bike Plan), keeping up with legislative priorities, and beginning to develop next fiscal year's work plan.
One thing we want to highlight is the official formation of the CCRPC's new Equity Advisory Committee (EAC). As part of the CCRPC's ongoing efforts to build our capacity to address systemic racism and inequities in our communities, and as a result of the findings within our organizational equity assessment, the EAC was officially established in November to oversee and guide our activities to ensure equitable processes and outcomes. The committee includes primarily community members with diverse lived experiences, interests, and expertise; CCRPC Board members; and CCRPC staff. Formation of the EAC comes after months of internal work, as well as support and guidance from an equity consultant (The Creative Discourse Group), community members, municipalities, and partners. While acknowledging that there is much work ahead to achieve a safe, healthy and prosperous future for all residents of Chittenden County, we want to thank everyone who has shared their time, expertise, and interest in this work thus far. We are also deeply grateful for the EAC members' interest and commitment to making improvements within our communities, and we look forward to continuing to build our capacity to better serve our municipalities and residents in the years ahead. To follow the work of the EAC and learn more about equity within Chittenden County, please visit our Equity and EAC webpages.
On a related note, we are excited to formally welcome Anne Nelson Stoner as CCRPC's new Equity and Engagement Manager. Anne Nelson (a double first name!) joined the CCRPC in October and works to lead organizational and project-specific equity and racial justice efforts. Some of Anne Nelson's work includes building relationships in our communities, improving and executing public engagement in alignment with federal requirements and CCRPC's equity goals, integrating the Equity Advisory Committee into CCRPC decision-making processes, and exploring ways the CCRPC can better support and elevate marginalized voices in planning. Learn more about Anne Nelson here, and please contact her with any questions, ideas, or just to say hello. Welcome, Anne Nelson!
Wishing you a safe, healthy, and happy year ahead!
Best regards,
Charlie Baker
Executive Director, CCRPC
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CCRPC Staff Updates
CCRPC is pleased to announce the following new additions to our staff! A full staff listing is available here.
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Darren Schibler, Senior Planner
Darren started his planning career with CCRPC as a GIS intern, and returned in November 2022 after five years as the Planner for the Town of Essex. Learn more about Darren »
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Anne Nelson Stoner, Equity and Engagement Manager
Anne Nelson (a double first name!) joined the CCRPC in October 2022 and works to lead organizational and project-specific equity and racial justice efforts. Learn more about Anne Nelson »
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Mckenzie Spear, Business Office Associate
Mckenzie joined the CCRPC in October 2022 and assists the Business Office Manager and Senior Business Manager. Learn More about Mckenzie »
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Open Meeting Law Update
As of January 25, 2023, fully virtual meetings are once again in compliance with Vermont's Open Meeting Law. All CCRPC committee meetings are currently virtual unless otherwise noted. For more information about the Open Meeting Law and a list of frequently asked questions, visit the Vermont League of Cities and Towns website.
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Town Meeting Day & Local Elections: Tuesday, March 7
For more information, view the state's Town Meeting Guide, visit your municipality's website, or visit the Secretary of State's website.
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Coming Soon: FY24 CCRPC Committee Appointment Requests
In early April, CCRPC will be reaching out to member municipalities to request that their legislative bodies take action to appoint representatives and alternates to CCRPC committees. Half of every CCRPC committee gets appointed every fiscal year. Please stay tuned for more information, and contact Emma Vaughn with any questions about the appointment process in the meantime.
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Visit the VTrans Winter Weather Central for Tips and Tools
VTrans maintenance crews are ready for whatever the season may bring -- make sure you're prepared, too. Visit the Winter Weather Central for helpful safety tips and tools like Highway Weather Cameras, a Plow Finder Map, and more. Learn More »
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Exit 16 DDI Project Update: January Public Meeting Presentation & Recording Available
VTrans held a Construction Public Meeting for the Exit 16 DDI Project on January 12. The meeting included a presentation comprised of an overview of the project, the construction schedule and sequence, the anticipated impacts, and information about future blasting activities. The presentation and meeting recording are available on the project website, as well as other updates regarding traffic impacts, video overviews, and more. Learn More »
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CATMA Bikeshare Survey Report and Update
CATMA (Chittenden Area Transportation Management Association) received 1,400 responses to its recent Bikeshare Survey, which asked community members how our local bikeshare system can be improved and how we should move forward. Read the survey results here. CATMA is working toward having a new bikeshare system in place by spring 2023. Learn More »
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Transportation Projects & Updates
For a full list of current transportation projects, visit the CCRPC Transportation Advisory Committee webpage; a full project list is included in every TAC agenda and is updated regularly.
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Howard Center Job Fair: Saturday, Feb. 4
Visit with Howard Center staff at the O'Brien Community Center in Winooski and find out about career opportunities. Learn More »
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Chittenden County Communications Union District Update
The Chittenden County Communications Union District (CCCUD) is currently made up of six municipalities: Essex, Essex Junction, Jericho, Shelburne, South Burlington, and Williston. A Communications Union District is a municipal organization made up of two or more towns for the purpose of building, or causing to be built, communications infrastructure together. For more information on broadband in Chittenden County and the CCCUD, including membership, background information, and meeting agendas and minutes, visit the CCCUD webpage.
| ENERGY & NATURAL RESOURCES | |
Vermont Department of Public Service Webinar Series on Renewable and Clean Electricity Policies and Programs
The Vermont Department of Public Service is hosting a webinar series to share information and answer questions about Vermont's current electric system. The webinars will be of interest to anyone who wants to know where Vermont's electricity comes from and what policies and programs support renewable electricity. Learn More »
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Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Climate Planning Training: Feb. 28
Climate change disproportionately impacts certain communities; that is why diversity, equity, and inclusion are crucial to consider when creating a climate action plan. This one-hour training is hosted by the U.S. Department of Energy. Learn More »
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South Burlington 2024 City Plan Community Conversation Series: Public Safety, Public Works, and Basic Needs: Feb. 2, 7:00pm
This in-person and virtual event will be a facilitated community conversation open to the public to help build the 2024 South Burlington Comprehensive Plan. This conversation is part of a larger series taking place throughout February and March. Learn More »
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AARP VT Accepting 2023 Community Challenge Grant Applications
AARP VT invites local eligible organizations and governments across the state to apply for the 2023 AARP Community Challenge grant program now through March 15 at 5pm. Grants fund quick-action projects that help communities become more livable in the long term by improving public spaces, transportation, housing, civic engagement, diversity, and inclusion. An informational webinar will be held on Feb. 9 from 12-1pm to learn about the program, new funding sources, the application process, and more. Register for the webinar here and learn more about the grant program here.
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2022 Vermont GIS Year in Review Available
The State of Vermont's Enterprise GIS Consortium has published a retrospective 2022: Year in GIS review site now open to view. It provides a high-level overview of work completed by State agencies and regional partners this past year with a view to what is ahead, as well as a section on remembering those we lost in 2022. Learn More »
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Pam Brangan, CCRPC GIS Data and IT Manager, Wins Special Achievements in GIS Award
Pam Brangan of CCRPC, with Stone Environmental, won a Special Achievements in GIS Award at the July, 2022 Esri User Conference in San Diego for her work on improving the VT Culverts data collection website, using Esri tools, to help municipalities in Vermont better understand their culvert and bridge inventories. Photo from L to R: Pam Brangan, CCRPC; Jack Dangermond, Esri President and Founder; Paige Gebhardt, Stone Environmental. View the VT Culverts website »
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New UVM Institute Will Help Vermont's Rural Communities
Helping Vermont's rural communities thrive -- in the face of big challenges brought about by climate change and population shifts -- will be the focus of a new institute at the University of Vermont. UVM's Institute for Rural Partnerships is made possible by a $9.3M award from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture, with leadership and support from U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy. Learn More »
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Webinar: White Saviorism: Knowing Your Role in Anti-Racism, Equity, and Inclusion: Feb. 9
This 3-hour training will help participants understand the Eight White Identities and find their role in the ongoing work of racial and social justice in our communities. Learn More & Register »
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Vermont Health Equity and Community Design Technical Assistance Pilot: Two-Part Webinar Series (Feb. 14 & 21)
The Creating a Healthier Vermont: Advancing Health Equity through Placemaking, Funding, and Support webinar series is an opportunity to learn more and get your questions answered about the Vermont Health Equity and Community Design Technical Assistance Pilot, the newest opportunity from the Vermont Department of Health and the Vermont Department of Housing and Community Development. Learn More & Register »
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Creative Futures Grant Program Round 2 Now Open; Applications Due Feb. 28
The Vermont Arts Council is now accepting applications for round two of Creative Futures Grants to help the creative sector recover from economic losses due to the pandemic. Grants of up to $200,000 will be available to creative sector non-profits and for-profit entities that can demonstrate economic harm caused by the pandemic. Learn More »
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$4.8M in Grants Awarded to Address Covid-19 Disparities
The Vermont Department of Health, in partnership with the Vermont Community Foundation, has awarded grants totaling $4.8M to 30 local organizations in 11 Vermont counties to support efforts to address Covid-19 disparities and advance health equity in their communities. Funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the grants are designed to bolster organizational capacity to focus on the needs of populations who have experienced socioeconomic disadvantage, historical injustice, racism, and other systemic inequities. Learn More »
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Spark Connecting Community Grants Available; Round One Application Deadline: March 7
Vermont Community Foundation's Spark Connecting Community grants aim to support grassroots work that builds social capital -- the connective tissue of our communities. Learn More »
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Save the Date: Howard Center Annual Spring Conference - "Breaking Barriers: Finding Purpose and Possibilities Together": April 19
Mark your calendars: Howard Center's 2023 annual spring conference will take place on April 19. Registration will open on February 15. Learn More »
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Quick Links
CCRPC Website »
CCRPC Calendar »
Vermont League of Cities & Towns Resources »
Vermont Open Meeting Law Updates and FAQ »
Vt. Dept. of Health COVID-19 Updates »
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Calendar
Please Note: All meetings are currently virtual unless otherwise specified. Information needed to join remotely is included in every meeting agenda, which is posted in advance to each committee webpage.
Find all CCRPC committee webpages here.
FEBRUARY
2/1, 5:45pm: Executive Committee Meeting
[CANCELED] 2/7, 9:00am: Transportation Advisory Committee Meeting
2/7, 11:00am: Clean Water Advisory Committee Meeting
2/7, 12:30pm: MS-4 Sub-Committee Meeting
2/8, 3:00pm: Chittenden County Communications Union District Board Meeting
[CANCELED] 2/14, 7:00pm: CCRPC Long-Range Planning Committee Meeting
2/15, 9:00am: Regional Emergency Management Committee Meeting
[CANCELED] 2/15, 6:00pm: CCRPC Board Meeting
2/20: CCRPC Office Closed (Presidents' Day)
2/22, 3:00pm: Chittenden County Communications Union District Board Meeting
2/23, 5:30pm: FY24 UPWP Committee Meeting # 2
MARCH
3/1, 5:45pm: Executive Committee Meeting
3/7: Vermont Town Meeting Day & Local Elections
3/8, 9:00am: Transportation Advisory Committee Meeting
3/8, 11:00am: Clean Water Advisory Committee Meeting
3/8, 12:30pm: MS-4 Sub-Committee Meeting
3/14, 7:00pm: CCRPC Long Range Planning Committee Meeting
3/15, 6:00pm: CCRPC Board Meeting
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CCRPC Board of Directors FY23 Membership
FY23 Membership is effective July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023.
Bolton: Vacant
Buel's Gore: Garret Mott
Burlington: Andy Montroll
Charlotte: Dana Hanley
Colchester: Jacqueline Murphy
Essex: Andy Watts
Essex Junction: Dan Kerin
Hinesburg: Michael Bissonette
Huntington: Barbara Elliott
Jericho: Catherine McMains
Milton: Chuck Wilton
Richmond: Bard Hill
Shelburne: John Zicconi
St. George: Jeff Pillsbury
So. Burlington: Chris Shaw
Underhill: Brad Holden
Westford: Ben Bornstein
Williston: Andy Watts
Winooski: Mike O'Brien
For more information about the Board of Directors, click here.
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The CCRPC Funding Database is a near complete list of funding opportunities available to municipalities, non-profits, and businesses for planning and infrastructure-related projects. The list is updated by CCRPC staff annually every July. Users may filter the database by category, funding agency, and eligible organizations. Learn More »
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| Click the map below to access links to each municipality, where you can find current projects, data reports, key statistics, and more. | |
Efficiency Vermont Blog: Electric Vehicles and Vermont Winters
During Vermont winters, it's paramount to have reliable transportation that can handle snow, slush, road salt, and icy conditions. Those considering an electric vehicle often have a lot of questions about battery range, traction, and all-wheel drive in winter. Learn More »
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CCRPC Staff Directory
Dan Albrecht, Senior Planner
Charlie Baker, Executive Director
Pam Brangan, GIS Data and IT Manager
Jason Charest, Senior Transportation Planning Engineer
Eleni Churchill, Transportation Program Manager
Forest Cohen, Senior Business Manager
Bryan Davis, Senior Transportation Planner
Marshall Distel, Senior Transportation Planner
Chris Dubin, Senior Transportation Planner
Christine Forde, Senior Transportation Planner
Amy Irvin Witham, Business Office Manager
Ann Janda, Senior Energy Project Manager
Melanie Needle, Senior Planner
Taylor Newton, Planning Program Manager
Sai Sarepalli, Senior Transportation Planning Engineer
Darren Schibler, Senior Planner
Mckenzie Spear, Business Office Associate
Anne Nelson Stoner, Equity and Engagement Manager
Emma Vaughn, Communications Manager
For contact information and bios, visit the CCRPC Staff webpage.
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