NRPC Newsletter - March 2025

REGIONAL NEWS

Change of Date: FEMA Flood Map

Meeting for Municipal Officials

An important Meeting for Municipal Officials will be held on Tuesday, April 8 from 9 – 10 am via video conference to discuss proposed new federal flood maps and related data. NRPC encourages all communities affected by the maps to participate. Once finalized, towns will need to adopt the new flood maps in their local zoning to maintain residents access to the Flood Insurance Program.

The “Workmap” meeting pertains to communities in Franklin, Grand Isle, Orleans, and Addison Counties.

The meeting will feature a presentation by USGS officials followed by a question-and-answer period.

Meeting organizers will also offer 2 options for follow-up 1-hour “breakout” meetings. Scheduled for April 10th and April 16th, the breakouts are for municipal officials to discuss any specific questions or map issues.

Notices for the Workmap meetings were sent to municipal officials on Friday, March 21 via email.

If your municipality was not notified, contact ANR’s Northwest Regional Flood Plain Manager Rebecca Pfeiffer, for meeting log-in and related information.

If you have general questions about the meeting, please contact Greta Brunswick.

Regional Selectboard Meet-Ups

This Regional Selectboard Meet-Up is free to members but registration is required.

To register for this meet-up click here.

ENERGY & CLIMATE ACTION

Residential Building Energy Standard (RBES)

Training for Municipal Staff

May 15, 2025 11:00 am - 12:00 pm

Residential Building Energy Standard (RBES) a.k.a. Building Energy Code, is a minimum standard for energy efficient construction that applies to all new residential construction, additions, most renovations, alterations, and repairs. As per Act 89 of 2013, municipal officials must provide RBES information when a residential building or zoning permit is applied for. This educational session will explain RBES in more detail and provide municipal staff with information and tools to assist builders and ensure RBES certificates are recorded in the land records.

This training will be hosted by Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission for municipal staff statewide.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Don't Miss Your Chance to Weigh in on Vermont's Climate Action Plan!

Join us April 16, 2025, 6:00 pm-8:00 pm at Saint Albans City Hall to voice your climate priorities. Climate Councilors will listen and then consider public input when revising the Plan (due July 1, 2025).

Background materials will be emailed to you a few days in advance of the meeting. Hearty snacks provided. Kids' activity sheet available for families. In your registration email, you'll find a link to easily organize a carpool with your neighbors!

Click here to Register.

For more information and a list of other sessions click here.

WATER QUALITY

Water Quality Project Management Assistance

NRPC is looking to connect with interested municipalities regarding water project management services. State funds are available for non-regulatory clean water projects, but navigating the world of Vermont environmental regulations can be confusing. We’re here to help! We have materials available which clarify appropriate project types and NRPC’s role in guiding you through all phases of your project, including scoping, design, and implementation. Town (and Village) selectboards, offices, and relevant subcommittees are encouraged to reach out to Cliff Jenkins by email or at (802) 524-5958 ext.132 for more information. We are more than happy to deliver a presentation in-person or online!

Upcoming Webinar: Rain Gardens 101

Want to learn how you can garden for water quality this spring? Join Franklin County Stormwater Collaborative on Thursday, March 27 at 6:00pm for a webinar on rain gardens. Josh Serpe of Friends of Northern Lake Champlain will share insights for creating your own rain garden, including design, installation, and budgeting tips.

This webinar is the second installment in Franklin County Stormwater Collaborative’s 2025 webinar series.

Details and registration for all three webinars can be found here.

Have questions you want answered? Submit them here in advance!

TRANSPORTATION

Municipal Roads General Permit Reporting Reminder

The Vermont Municipal Roads Program is reminding towns of the April 1, 2025 fees and reporting deadline for the Municipal Roads General Permit (MRGP). Every year, municipalities are required to upgrade 7.5% of non-compliant, hydrologically connected road segments to MRGP standards. Once these segments have been upgraded, they should be reported to the MRGP Survey 123 mobile application or the MRGP web-based Reporter Tool. NRPC is available to assist in these reporting efforts upon request. We are also here to help you secure financial assistance for upgrade work from the Municipal Grants-In-Aid and Better Roads Grant programs.

More information on the MRGP can be found here.

Those interested in assistance from NRPC can contact Kyle Grenier by email or at (802) 524-5958 ext.123.