Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Regional Energy Meeting - Feb. 26

The Central Vermont Regional Planning Commission and the Vermont Energy and Climate Action Network invite you to join us for the a meeting of the Central Vermont Regional Energy Network scheduled for Thursday, February 26th from 6:30-9:00 pm in the Memorial Room of Montpelier City Hall. This regional energy network meeting is the 3rd in a series for representatives from local town energy committees, town energy coordinators, and other interested individuals to discuss local and regional efforts to promote energy efficiency and renewable energy.

The focus of this meeting will be on what communities can do to promote alternative and public transportation featuring speakers from VTrans, 10% Challenge, and the Green Mountain Transit Agency. Food and beverages will be provided.

Please spread the word to your fellow committee members and colleagues. We hope to see you on February 26th.

To RSVP or questions contact: Clare at clarerock@cvregion.com or call 229.0389.

Friday, January 23, 2009

Outdoor Lighting Presentation

Please join the Vermont Outdoor Lighting Committee on Thursday, Feb 12th at 6:15 p.m. for a presentation on the new Model Outdoor Lighting Ordinance by expert Jim Benya, Co-chair, IDA/IESNA Task Force. Please RSVP to dsachs@10percentchallenge.org by Monday, February 9. Specific details and directions are below.

What: A Breakthrough in Outdoor Lighting Design and Plan Review
When: Thursday, February 12th, 6:15 pm. – 8:30 p.m.
Where: UVM Billings North Lounge, Billings Center, located on UVM Green (Take Exit 14W from I-89; travel west on Route 2 (Williston Road) to UVM campus/Main Street, take right on to University Place (park along the street or check the campus map for parking locations including behind Ira Allen Chapel or in the parking lot across from Waterman located off College Street)

Sponsored by: Vermont Outdoor Lighting Committee; UVM Office of Sustainability; Efficiency Vermont;
Vermont Planners Association; Vermont Astronomical Society; Vermont Association of Landscape Architects
Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission; and Central Vermont Regional Planning Commission

Who Should Participate: Planners, architects, astronomers, engineers, zoning officials, energy committee members and the professionals that serve the design and development community. Anyone interested in outdoor lighting design, plans and review to help meet shared goals of efficiency, quality, protection of night sky and night landscape will want to learn about this new breakthrough.

Friday, January 9, 2009

Fliood Hazard Management/NFIP

The VT Department of Environmental Conservation (Ned Swanberg ned.swanberg@state.vt.us) wants to be able to review all new NFIP flood hazard regulations by December 2009. It is strongly recommended that municipalities submit their revised flood hazard regs to Ned by early fall so he has time to complete the review and you have time to make changes before adopting them. It will be imperative to adopt new regs that will meet the NFIP standards within 6 months of the D-FIRM maps becoming final and it's expected they'll be final December 2009. Model flood hazard regs can be viewed and downloaded at www.vtwaterquality.org/rivers. You can also call DEC River Management at 802/241-3759. Let CVRPC know how we can help.

LWCF grants for recreation

The VT Dept of Forests, Parks and Recreation has funding available through the Land and Water Conservation Fund to assist municipalities with the acquisition, conservation, and development of outdoor recreation areas and facilities. These funds require a 50% match. The application deadline is February 27. For details and assistance, contact Pat Peterson, Dept of Forests, Parks and Recreation at 802/241-3653.

Municipal Education Grants

MEG funds ARE still available through May 2009. These funds can be used to train volunteers on planning issues for your municipality and the Region. Up to $800 is available per community. For more details and the application, go to www.dhca.state.vt.us/Planning/MEG.htm. If this link fails, go to www.dhca.state.vt.us, click on grants, and scroll down to the MEG grant. Let us know if we can help.

Monday, January 5, 2009

Regional Trails Meeting

Trail users and trail planners join us in a round table discussion about trails in the Central Vermont Region.
Date: Jan. 8th, 2009
Time: 7-9pm
Place: City Hall, Montpelier
RSVP and questions? Contact Clare Rock at clarerock@cvregion.com or call 229-0389