Bits and Pieces: A Weekly Update from the Strafford Region

BITS AND PIECES

A Weekly Update from the Strafford Region

Planning

On Friday, March 15th, SRPC held its monthly Commissioners meeting, in which we were joined by several experts to discuss solid waste trends and existing landfill operations. Speakers were organized by staff and Somersworth Commissioner Mike Bobinsky and Mark Richardson following a recent brainstorm with Commissioners where a series of potential topics of interest were identified for future exploration. Paige Wilson and Michael Nork, both representing the NHDES Solid Waste Management Bureau, provided a high-level overview of existing and future conditions and needs; solid waste management goals; a statewide waste characterization study; and the new food waste disposal ban. Additionally, Steve Poggi, Director of Disposal Operations for Waste Management at the Turnkey facility in Rochester, provided an update about their plans for potential expansion and adaptive reuse opportunities.

STAFF CONTACT

Kyle Pimental

PIECES OF INTEREST

Dover Housing Survey now live!

April 8-12, 2024, NHDES Water Infrastructure Funding Workshop

April 11. 2024, 1:00 PM: How Zoning broke the American City and How to Fix it: A webinar with Nolan Gray and Toccarra Nicole Thomas

April 17, 2024, 9:00 AM - 2:30PM, 2024: Right to Know Workshop at NHMA

April 25, 2024,6:30 PM: Great Bay Book Group-discussion with author David W. Moore

Voting is now open for Picturing Rising Tides 2024

New FEMA funded course that helps community planners know their role in hazard mitigation, build mitigation skills, and work towards community resilience.

USDOT Climate Change 2024 Webinar Series

EPA Requests Applications for Managing Healthy Watersheds Consortium Grant Program

Transportation

Safe Streets and Roads For All

On Tuesday, Transportation Planner Colin Lentz attended a kick-off meeting for the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) project. All four MPOs hired a consulting firm (VHB) to develop regional Safety Action Plans. Those plans will make all member municipalities eligible to apply for implementation funds through SS4A, which can be used to make a wide range of transportation safety improvements, with an emphasis on reducing fatal crashes. Members of the project team met at Southern NH Planning Commission in Manchester to discuss major elements in the scope of the project. The project will include public outreach and crash data analysis and is going to take about a year.

STAFF CONTACT

Colin Lentz

PIECES OF INTEREST

April 21, 2024: Drive Electric Earth Month: Earth Day EV Expo

USDOT Safe Streets for All Grant Program open for Applications

Federal Highway Administration launches it’s 2024 Every Day Counts GHG webinar series

US Department of Transportation: Statement by Secretary Buttigieg on the President’s Fiscal Year 2025 Budget

Economic Development

Tour of the Rochester Tech Center

The Seacoast Economic Development Stakeholders (SEDS) toured the Rochester Regional Technology Center today and WOW! 1,000 students take classes in aviation, STEM, engineering, automotive, nursing, banking, manufacturing, restaurant management and teaching among many more. This amazing resource, available to students in Rochester, Dover and Somersworth prepares students for employment straight out of high school or to head to higher educational institutions. Thanks to Michelle and her team for an inspiring tour!

STAFF CONTACT

Angie Cleveland

PIECES OF INTEREST

March 20, 2024, 12:00 PM: NHDES Cynobacteria Webinar

March 29, 2024, 12:30 PM: Join Build Healthy Places Network for the next installment in our Network Commons series

April 6, 2024, 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM: Help Clean the Cocheco River! Remove trash and debris that has collected along a bend in the Cocheco River.

NLIHC Releases The Gap: A Shortage of Affordable Homes

NH State Council on the Arts: Arts for Community Engagement Projects and Entrepreneurial Grants

The Clock is Ticking! NH Solar Eclipse 2024

Northeast Resource Recovery Association presents Food Waste Diversion & Composting Workshop Series

Strafford Regional Planning Commission | 603-994-3500 | srpc@strafford.org| www.strafford.org

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March 15, 2024