Municipal Planning Grants Available FY 2011

Municipal Planning Grants (MPGs) will be available once again this year with applications due on November 30, 2010. MPG funds provide assistance for town planning and implementation. Information about the program is available online at: http://www.dhca.state.vt.us/Planning/GMS/OnlineApplication2011.htm
MPG funding for fiscal year 2011 (FY11) was allocated approximately at the same $400,000 level as in FY10, which is about half of the annual allocation received earlier in the past decade. Because of the reduced funding, the Community Planning and Revitalization Division conducted user surveys, meetings and interviews to determine how best to support the planning needs of Vermont municipalities at this time.

Based on responses to this outreach, two notable changes have been made in the program for FY11:

1. The emphasis of the statewide priorities is now more focused on implementation of the municipal plan.
2. A cash match will be required for grant requests between $8,000 - $15,000. Matching funds will not be required for grant requests of $8,000 or less.
Please review the online Program Description for details.
Online applications will be required. We encourage you to begin working on your application well before the online application website becomes available later this fall. You can start now by meeting with appropriate boards and consultants and developing your work plan and budget using the Sample Application as a reference. See instructions for getting started on the FY11 MPG Webpage.
Application dates:

End of September/early October, 2010 – Opening of online application website will be announced
November 30 – Application due date
December 31 – Grant decisions announced

For any questions about the MPG program please email Wendy.Tudor@state.vt.us or call: 802-828-5249 (direct line) or (800)622-4553 (toll free).

Wrightsville Beach Facility 25 Years Old!

Wrightsville Beach Turns 25

For the last 25 years Wrightsville Beach has been providing a low cost, high quality and now diverse recreational experience for residents of its member communities (Montpelier, East Montpelier, Middlesex, and Worcester) and the Central Vermont Region. The beach facilities are widely used and appreciated by families, community groups, and visitors.

The 2010 season witnessed record attendance and revenues for the Beach thanks to great weather, improved grounds and facilities, and more recreational options. The Wrightsville Beach Recreation District, which operates the beach facility with assistance from Central Vermont Regional Planning Commission, continues its popular canoe and kayak rentals, improved and expanded hiking trails, 13 holes of disk golf, and attends to its ambitious maintenance program. During the 2010 season, the District hosted the first ever Wrightsville Beach Disk Golf Tournament, the 2nd annual Green Mountain Water Skiers Tournament, and the 6th annual “Beach Party for Charity.”

As Wrightsville Beach celebrates its 25th anniversary, one wonders what the future may hold for the Beach and the surrounding Wrightsville reservoir. Check our web site at www.wrightsvillebeachvt.com for more information, and thanks for another great season.

Barre City Main St Reconstruction

A major three year reconstruction of Main St in Barre City, VT has started. The first year consists of the installation of new traffic signals and the reconfiguration of intersections and lane configuration along the detour route (Maple Ave, Summer St, Elm St and Washington, St). The actual reconstruction of Main St is not scheduled to start till 2011, but Barre is already gearing up for the work to come. The Barre Partnership is working toward keeping everyone informed with weekly or even daily (if needed) traffic updates through a new web page www.wedigbarre.com . Visit the web page for the latest traffic delay, construction information, and construction mile stones as they happen.