Historic Preservation and Downtown Conference April 29, 2011

This year the VT Division for Historic Preservation will be combining its two

statewide conferences into one, providing three specific education tracks:
The Historic Track will be of interest to Historical Societies, Byway
communities, heritage tourism groups, to those interested in history and
historic preservation, and to those wanting to learn more about Poultney. The
Streets as Places Track introduces "placemaking" - the art of transforming
public spaces into vibrant community places - within the context of streets
that are vital to all of our downtowns, villages and neighborhoods. The
Downtown Revitalization Track will present various tools to assist in the
revitalization efforts of your downtown or village center. For more info visit:
http://www.historicvermont.org/programs/DowntownConference2011.html.
 
Thanks to Joshua Schwartz of the Mad River Valley Planning District for this summary.

Hazard Mitigation Drafts Available for Comment and Review

Roxbury and Worcester are updating their Hazard Mitigation Plans. Draft copies are available for review and comment through CVRPC. Please contact Jen at mojo@cvregion.com if you would like to review and submit comments for these draft plans before they are reviewed by VEM and FEMA.

GMTA TRANSIT DEVELOPMENT PLAN PUBLIC HEARINGS


The Green Mountain Transit Agency (GMTA) and Central Vermont Regional Planning Commission (CVRPC) will be holding public hearings to receive comments on the Transit Development Plan (TDP) which addresses the future of GMTA services. Each meeting is open to the general public, on GMTA bus routes and ADA accessible. GMTA encourages all residents within the central Vermont region to attend and offer comments on the proposed plan.

GMTA TRANSIT DEVELOPMENT PLAN PUBLIC HEARINGS

BARRE CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS MARCH 29 2:00 BARRE CITY HALL

6 N. Main Street

MONTPELIER MARCH 29 5:00 CENTRAL VERMONT REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION OFFICE

29 Main St # 4 (see location map below)

For more information, contact CVRPC Senior Transportation Planner Steve Gladczuk, 802-229-0389.  For those who cannot attend but wish to provide comments, please contact info@gmtaride.org or call 802.223.7287. To view the TDP on line, go to http://www.gmtaride.org/resources/transit-docs.html. Persons with disabilities who require assistance or special arrangements to participate may contact GMTA at 802-223-7287 at least 48 hours in advance so that arrangements can be made.

FEMA/VEM Pre Disaster Mitigation Workshop

Vermont Emergency Management (VEM) and FEMA Region 1 will be conducting a comprehensive Local Mitigation Planning Workshop at VEM’s temporary offices in Waterbury on Wednesday, March 23. Please mark your calendars accordingly. The training will be held from 9 AM to 4 PM in VEM’s temporary Emergency Operations Center, located in the lower level of the Weeks Building in the state office complex in Waterbury; a convenient map is attached to assist you in finding the entrance. You may also enter the Weeks Building from the main front entrance and then descend to the lower level. Lunch will be provided, and there is no cost to attend the workshop. As parking space is at a premium at the state office complex, it is advisable to give yourself extra time in the morning to find a parking spot.

The training will cover the following elements: single jurisdictional (stand alone) mitigation plans, multijurisdictional plans, updated FEMA guidance and simplified checklists, etc. We encourage all local, regional and state planning staff to attend this important workshop. Please pass along this announcement to any town officials or other interested parties which may benefit from attending the training.

Please confirm your participation in the workshop by sending Ray Doherty (rdoherty@dps.state.vt.us) an e-mail message no later than March 7, 2011.

Central Vermont Energy Program

CVRPC has received notification from the U.S. Department of Energy that the weatherization funds in the CVRPC energy grant have been released. Local officials of the towns participating in the Central VT Energy Program have been notified that these funds are available for the work on municipal buildings as recommended in the energy audits done this past summer. For more information, contact Laurie Emery at CVRPC; emery@cvregion.com or call 802/229-0389. CVRPC is looking forward to the completion of this work and the resulting savings in energy for the participating municipalities in Central Vermont.

Vermont Public Transit Policy Plan Update - Public Meetings

Come share your views on public transit services and needs in Vermont! Public transit plays a vital role in the high quality of life that Vermonters enjoy and we need your help.

The Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) is currently updating their Vermont Public Transit Policy Plan (PTPP). The purpose of the PTPP is to review and update transit polices and goals and to develop strategies to meet current and emerging public transit challenges over the next 10 years.

As part of this process, VTrans is hold a series of public meetings to help shape the vision for the state's transit system and to identify and explore issues that should be addressed to realize that vision. A second round of public meetings in November will present the proposed plan to the public and interested parties and to gather public comment.

All meetings will begin at 7:00 pm. The schedule for the meetings is:

2/7/11 Vermont Interactive Television (VIT) sites throughout VT including Bennington, Brattleboro, Castleton, Johnson, Lyndonville, Middlebury, Montpelier, Newport, Randolph Center, Rutland, Springfield, St. Albans, Waterbury, White River Junction, Williston.
For location information and directions go to: http://www.vitlink.org/location or call: 802-728-1455

2/8/11 Central Vermont Regional Planning Commission
29 Main Street, Montpelier, VT 05602
Directions: http://www.centralvtplanning.org/montbase.JPG

2/9/11 Connecticut River Transit (CRT)- The Current 706 Rockingham Road, Rockingham, Vermont 05101
Directions: http://www.crtransit.org/contact/contact_info.html

Central Vermont Regional Energy Forum

Wednesday, Feb 16, 6PM. until 9 p.m. at Montpelier City Hall in the Memorial Room. Hers' a snapshot of the agenda:

6:00 - The first 1/2 hour will be for nibbles and socializing.
6:30 - We will ask each town to provide an update on their efforts: who knows, you may find a town to collaborate with!
7:15 - A presentation by Brian Shupe of VNRC, who will overview the 'hot-off-the-presses' Energy Planning and Implementation Guide - a tool designed to help motivated communities harness their town plans - with support - to address energy-saving, energy-generating opportunities.
7:45 - A presentation about the online Renewable Energy Atlas of Vermont by Scott Sawyer of the VT Sustainable Jobs Fund. This tool is an incredible resource for energy groups, planners and more.
8:15 - Q& A
8:35 - A legislative snapshot
8:45 - Next steps

Please join us for an informative and fun evening!