|
|
|
Upper Valley Lake Sunapee Regional Planning Commission
|
|
| Transportation Health Impact Toolkit |
|
A Transportation Health Impact Assessment Toolkit is now available on the CDC Healthy Places Website. The toolkit provides a framework for public health departments, city planners, project managers, and other stakeholders to conduct HIAs on proposed transportation projects, plans, and policies.
|
|
Where are Americans Moving?
|
An interesting interactive map to learn where 10 million Americans moved to and from.
|
|
Great Resource for Every Planning Board Member
|
NH Citizen Planner
The NH Citizen Planner collaborative is a one-stop shop for opportunities for lay citizen planners (land use boards) to access information, training, and networking with colleagues. For more information visit the website.
|
|
Sticker Shock: Your Commuting Costs!
|
Use this link to learn about the real costs of operating and owning your vehicle.
|
|
|
Greetings!
May the New Year bring health, happiness and prosperity to you and your communities.
Christine Walker
. |
|
|
Land & Community Heritage Grants Awarded in the Region
|
The Board of Directors of the New Hampshire Land and Community Heritage Investment Program (LCHIP) has announced the award of matching grants to 23 projects across the state. The awards invest in the protection of 14 historic structures and the conservation of 2808 acres of land, including more than 1000 acres of farmland. These projects will support more than 120 jobs and contribute over $3.7 million to the employment economy of the state.
"These matching grants are a tool to help protect the special places that are such an important part of New Hampshire's high quality of life" says Rusty McLear, the LCHIP Board Chair. "LCHIP is not just about land and old buildings, but also about investing in a future that attracts both tourists and new residents."
The LCHIP grants of $1,158,308 have attracted about $13.5 million in total project value, far exceeding the required 1:1 match. The grants this year are supported by recording fees collected at county registry offices during the second half of state Fiscal Year 2011.
This year's projects include a few historic preservation projects within our region's 27 municipalities:
- Acworth Silsby Library
- Canaan Meetinghouse Bell Tower
- Charlestown Town Hall
- Enfield Shaker Museum
- Langdon Meeting House
Patten Farm in Springfield was also awarded funding for a conservation easement. More information about the projects is available on the LCHIP website. |
|
Date: Thursday, January 5, 2012
Time: 8:00 am - 12:00 pm
Location: 27 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH
Join us for a no-cost, half-day seminar to learn best practices on publishing and sharing your maps, data, and models. The Extend the Reach of Your GIS seminar will teach you how to leverage current capabilities in ArcGIS to efficiently share your geographic knowledge within your organization and with the public. The seminar provides an opportunity to:
- Ensure that your organization is getting the most from its GIS investment by staying up-to-date on the latest GIS technologies.
- Learn practical workflows and best practices that you can apply immediately.
- Discover how to best serve the needs of all your stakeholders without increasing your workload.
- Bring back a strategy that helps you provide access to the geographic knowledge you create.
- Develop relationships with Esri staff and other successful users in the GIS community.
Register Here.
|
|
Comment Session on New Local Public Agency Manual for Development Projects (LPA)
|
Date: January 11, 2012
Time: 3:00 pm
Location: DOT, 7 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH
The New Hampshire Department of Transportation (NHDOT) has recently completed a comprehensive update of the Local Public Agency Manual for the Development of Projects, or LPA Manual. This manual replaces the previous manuals that address the process for the development of local transportation projects financed wholly or in part by federal transportation funds. The programs coming under the new LPA process include:
- Transportation Enhancement (TE)
- Congestion Mitigation & Air Quality (CMAQ)
- Safe Routes to School (SRTS)
- Scenic Byways
- STP-Urban
- Federal Bridge aid program
- Other programs where municipalities receive FHWA funds to do transportation projects (for example, HSIP, earmarks, TCSP, ER, etc.)
NHDOT will host a public comment session on the new LPA Manual. This meeting will feature a brief overview of the changes to the federally funded municipally managed processes, as well as an opportunity for interested citizens to share comments on the program changes as they are presented in the new LPA Manual.
.
|
|
Creative Economy Workshop
|
Date: January 26, 2012
Time: 9:30 - 11:00 am
Location: League of NH Craftsmen, 49 So. Main St., Concord
Who Should Attend: Anyone involved in planning and economic and community development.Cost: FREE
The New Hampshire Creative Communities Network and one of its members, Creative Concord/Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce, is presenting a free workshop that will focus on the model partnership between Creative Concord and the Concord Chamber. Their successful projects to strengthen the Concord area's creative economy, including their partnership with a local developer and Concord Area Trust for Community Housing, resulting in affordable housing units for artists and a new downtown home for the League of NH Craftsmen will be presented. Tim Sink, Executive Director of the Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce, and Byron Champlin, AVP-Program Officer at Lincoln Financial Group and Chairman of Creative Concord, will conduct the session. The Workshop will also include time for discussion about similar Creative Communities Network projects that may inspire partnerships in other communities. For additional information about Creative Concord and this project visit their website. The Creative Communities Network Overview provides more information about this unique statewide consortia and its members and mission: "To strengthen and promote economic and community development across New Hampshire through the arts, artists and creative industries." |
Workshops for Town Moderators
|
|
Date: Saturday, January 21 or Saturday, February 25, 2012
Time: 8:30 am to 12:30 pm
Location: The Local Government Center
The Moderators Workshops will provide town, village district and school district moderators with an informative review of the basic law of town and school meetings, plus tips for keeping it running smoothly. Separate workshops focused on the specific requirements for SB 2 and traditional town meeting will provide moderators with guidance relevant to the structure and rules of their form of meeting. Register early to reserve your seat for the session for SB 2 meetings on Saturday, January 21, or the session for traditional town meetings on Saturday, February 25. More information is available on the LGC website.
|
Notice: Municipal Block Grants - 2012 Revised
|
All municipalities in the State having Class IV and V mileage are entitled to Highway Block Grant Aid.
RSA 235:23 stipulates the funding apportionments:
"In each fiscal year, the commissioner shall allocate an amount not less than 12% of the total road toll revenue and motor vehicle fees collected in the preceding fiscal year to a local highway aid fund. This fund shall be distributed to each city, town, and unincorporated place on a formula in which 1/2 of the amount is based on the proportion which the mileage of regularly maintained class IV and class V highways in each municipality, as of January 1 of the previous year, bears to the total of such mileage in the state; and 1/2 of the amount is based on the proportion which the office of energy and planning population estimate of each municipality bears to the latest estimate of the total population of the state as of July 1 of the year of the estimate. The aid to be distributed under this paragraph shall be in addition to all other state and federal aid specifically authorized by statute."
Later in the year, as the highway fund amounts are finalized and audited, DOT will notify the towns by letter of the actual payments they will receive, and post a "Revised" State FY 12 BGA Report that includes the adjusted April payment on the internet.
|
|
New NH Broadband Mapping & Planning Website Launched
|
|
The new New Hampshire Broadband Planning and Mapping Project (NHBMPP) website has been launched with its new design and content. In addition to the new website, an interactive map viewer is available.
|
|
Comment on Economic Development Regulations
|
|
The U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) published a Federal Register Notice (FRN) requesting public comment on proposed revisions to the agency's regulations. These revisions come after EDA incorporated public and internal input received earlier this year. After the comment period closes, EDA will then work on the final regulations to be published later next year. Remember that these are only proposed rules, nothing is final yet!
KEY RESOURCES:
Deadline to submit comments: February 6, 2012.
We would appreciate a copy of any of your comments. Please email a copy to us.
|
| Public Notice Deadline on Restoring Lot Status - January 1, 2012 |
|
January 1, 2012 is an important deadline for municipalities under a law that took effect in 2011. HB 316 requires municipalities, upon request of the landowner, to restore to their pre-merger status, lots that were previously merged involuntarily.
An integral part of that process is the notification requirement under RSA 674:39-aa: municipalities must post notice by January 1, 2012, and must publish notice in the 2011 through 2015 annual reports. Consult the full text of RSA 674:39-aa for complete requirements.
A sample notice can be found on the Local Government Center website under NHMA, Ongoing Topics of Interest, or by following this link directly to the document.
|
| GPS Workshops - UNH Extension |
UNH GPS Workshops begin again on January 11, 2012. To see a listing of upcoming workshops for January visit the UNH GPS web page.
|
|
NH Water and Watershed Conference 2012
|
Date: March 23, 2012 At
Location: Plymouth State University, Plymouth, NH The New Hampshire Water and Watershed Conference is designed to meet the information and networking needs of scientists; educators; consultants; students; lake, river, and watershed groups; environmental organizations; volunteer monitors; municipal board and staff members; elected officials; local and regional planners; and policy makers. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Funding Available for Innovative Geospatial Projects
The Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) is pleased to announced the request for proposals to support the 2012 National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) Cooperative Agreements Program (CAP). A total of $810,000 is available to award up to 41 innovative, geospatial-related projects that are spread across seven categories. Each project will focus on ways to expand the geospatial data infrastructure that is necessary to effectively discover, access, share, manage and use digital geographic data. The application package is available along with the request for proposals here. State and local governments, Tribal governments, regional organization, academia, and the private sector are invited to participate in this national effort to implement the NSDI. Application Deadline: January 24, 2012. The project awards are scheduled to be announced by USGS/FGDC contracts officer in March 2012 with obligated work to begin on each project no later than September 30, 2012. More Information is available here. |
National Endowment for the Arts Our Town Grants Available
The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) has announced the guidelines for the 2012 Our Town grants. Our Town supports creative placemaking projects that enhance the livability of communities by investing in creative and innovative projects. Projects may include planning, design, and arts engagement activities that reflect a systemic approach to civic development and a persuasive vision for enhanced community vibrancy. Pending availability of funding, grants will range from $25,000 to $150,000. Complete guidelines are available here. The application deadline is March 1, 2012. NEA staff will conduct Our Town webinars on Wednesday, January 11 and Tuesday, February 7, 2012 to answer questions and walk applicants through this year's guidelines. Schedule and registration details will be posted on the Our Town guidelines webpage.
Application Deadline: March 1, 2012
For more information on creative placemaking and to view the 51 Our Town grants awarded in 2011, visit http://www.arts.gov/national/ourtown/index.php.
|
Community Catalyst Fund
Overview: Do you work with an organization that aims to improve energy efficiency and environmental sustainability on a local level? If so, the Community Catalyst Fund might be for you! Some eligibility restrictions apply. For more information, visit the website or email Amanda.
|
Recreational Trails Program
Overview:
The Recreational Trails Program (RTP) is a competitive grant program that offers funding for quality public trail projects throughout New Hampshire. The program is administered by the New Hamsphire Department of Resources and Economic Development (DRED), Division of Parks and Recreation, Bureau of Trails.
Application Deadline: January 20, 212 at 4:00pm.
For more information about the Recreational Trails Program click here
|
Municipal Energy Reduction Fund
CDFA's Municipal Energy Reduction Fund is available to help municipalities improve the energy efficiency of their municipal buildings, street lighting, water and sewer treatment facilities, and where appropriate, electrical distribution systems. The goal is to reduce energy usage and costs.
CDFA is currently accepting applications from New Hampshire Municipalities through our online grants management system for funding through the Municipal Energy Reduction Fund. Prior to accessing the online system, you will need a User ID and Password. If you have not registered already to receive a User ID and Password, please register here
|
|
|
