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Upcoming Events
DECEMBER
12/2, 4pm: Public Participation Plan Advisory Committee Meeting (CCRPC Office)
12/4, 6pm: CCRPC Commission Meeting
12/11, 6pm: Railyard Enterprise Project Steering Committee Meeting [Learn More]
JANUARY
1/15, 6pm: CCRPC Commission Meeting
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Traffic Alert Program
Our weekly Traffic Alert E-mails are your source for roadway and construction work in Chittenden County.
Sign up today:
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VHFA Says New Limits Will Allow More Home Purchases
The Vermont Housing and Finance Agency says an increase in the income and purchase price limits for mortgages it provides will make it possible for more Vermonters to buy homes. [Learn More] |
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3SquaresVT Challenge Raises Awareness About Hunger
1 in 5 Vermont children live in food insecure households, meaning their families are unable to afford enough food to fully meet their basic needs for nutrition all the time. Every November during National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, Hunger Free Vermont asks Vermonters to put themselves and their families in their neighbors' shoes and shopping carts by living on a 3SquaresVT food budget for a week ($36, or $1.72 a meal). [Learn More & Take the Challenge] |
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Job Announcement: Traffic Signal Technician
Application deadline: Thursday, November 21
The City of Burlington Public Works Department is seeking a Traffic Signal Technician who will be responsible for routine and emergency maintenance on the city's traffic signal system. In addition, this position aids in the planning and scheduling of signal construction and/or modifications. [Full Job Description & Details] |
November Incentive for Giving Blood
Give blood between November 27-29 and receive a free movie pass to Essex Cinemas.
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9am-6pm; Saturday, 7:30am-1pm
Call or go online to schedule an appointment today. [Learn More] |
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Greetings!
2014 is fast approaching! We hope everyone is gearing up for an enjoyable holiday season. Over at the CCRPC, we're excited to be darting around Chittenden County in our new Electric Vehicles! Earlier this month, we began leasing two Mitsubishi i-MiEVs. These 100% electric cars (which we've affectionately named Wattson and Anita Outlet) are being used almost every day by staff and interns as we travel around the county, serving our towns.  The acquiring of our own EVs has only increased our excitement about the growing EV movement in Vermont and beyond. As of January 2013, 188 EVs were registered in Vermont. As of last month, there were 432. CCRPC is working closely with Vermont Energy Investment Corporation (VEIC) to plan for EV charging in Chittenden County. In March, VEIC released Phase I EV Report for Chittenden County. The report contains valuable information regarding the basics of EVs with specific information regarding anticipated EV adoption estimates and the need for charging going forward. It's estimated that the number of EVs in Vermont will increase to 5,800 by 2023! For more information about EVs, including benefits, facts, public charging station locations and much more, check out Drive Electric Vermont. And if you spot Wattson or Anita Outlet around town, make sure to give a wave.
Wishing you all a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday!
Best Regards,
Michele Boomhower
Assistant/MPO Director
Chittenden County RPC |
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Of Note
FY15 UPWP Project Solicitation: January 24, 2014 Deadline
The CCRPC is accepting project applications for next year's fiscal work program, the FY15 Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP). In FY 2014, the CCRPC created a new process for soliciting, reviewing and selecting projects to ensure the best use of the public funds that support its work. A detailed description of the process and the application form required for requests can be found here. The CCRPC is soliciting projects relating to transportation, land use, bylaw development, mapping, etc. The deadline for receipt of completed applications is 4:30 p.m., Friday, January 24, 2014. Completed forms can be e-mailed to bdavis@ccrpcvt.org. 
CCRPC staff are available through December to meet to discuss project ideas. A public forum will be held at the CCRPC Board meeting on Wednesday, January 15 at the CCRPC offices. The public will be able to review and comment on the draft UPWP, expected to be available in April 2014. The current FY 2014 work plan is available online. For more information, contact Bryan at 802-846-4490 x17 or bdavis@ccrpcvt.org.
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Transportation News
Implementing ECOS Plan Strategy # 2
Fall Way to Go! Commuter Challenge 
The Way to Go! Commuter Challenge now happens in fall as well as spring! More than 1,700 people tried new ways of getting to work from October 14-18, saving more than 112,000 lbs of carbon! Participants in this fall's Way to Go! included 147 businesses from VT and NH, and 13 K-12 schools. Winners were chosen in a range of categories -- from community size, to business size, to school type. [See the Winners & Learn More]
Williston Invests in Walking & Biking
Williston is extending and closing gaps in an already-extensive network of sidewalks and paths. With support and encouragement from nearly two dozen walking and biking advocates who turned out for a public meeting in October, the Williston Selectboard has endorsed or is actively considering an impressive slate of walk-bike projects. [Learn More]
Local Partner Wins at ACT Regional Conference
Vermont's transportation partners attended the Association for Commuter Transportation (ACT) Patriot Chapter New England TDM Conference on
November 6 in South Boston. At the Conference awards ceremony,  CarShare VT received a TDM Excellence Award in recognition of their achievement pioneering a successful car sharing service in VT, as well as its Park It Pledge and campus programs. CATMA, who has been a member of ACT for over 17 years, was pleased to nominate CarShare VT for this award. [Learn More]
New Walkability Resource from Prevention Institute
Walk On: Strategies to Promote Walkable Communities is designed to help public health professionals and community advocates make the case for making our communities and streets walkable. Walk On explores the nuts and bolts of planning and Complete Streets policies and includes case studies on rural and urban communities that are making real strides to encourage walking. [Learn More & Download]
CIRC Alternatives Process Nearing Completion
Many projects associated with the CIRC Alternatives Process are coming to a close. [Learn More]
Transportation Projects: Click for the Latest News
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Energy & Natural Resources
Implementing ECOS Plan Strategies # 3 & 4
New Additions to EPA's Smart Growth Program
Find videos from EPA's Smart Growth Program and the HUD-DOT-EPA Partnership for Sustainable Communities on the Webinars, Videos and Podcasts page, and watch how communities across the country are putting smart growth in action. Also new is the Location page, which discusses the benefits of location-efficient siting. This smart growth strategy connects particularly well with green building practices because how people and goods get to and from a site affects the environmental performance of a building and its occupants. [Learn More]
USDA Rural Development to Host Series of Application Workshops
Beginning in December, community programs application workshops will be held in southern and central Vermont with a focus on Not-for Profits and Municipalities. Additional workshops in January/February will be held for regions beyond the starting locations. Please let CCRPC staff know if you'd like us to arrange for USDA to hold a meeting in Chittenden County to discuss this program. [Learn More]
 Vermont DEC's Watershed Management Division Launches New Blog
The Watershed Management Division of the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation launched a new blog, Flow, which will highlight announcements about events, opportunities (including available grants and trainings), success stories, and science. [Learn More]
New Tool for Planning & Conservation Commissions 
VNRC is pleased to unveil Community Strategies for Vermont's Forests and Wildlife: A Guide for Local Action. There are many different ways that communities can help sustain forests and wildlife at the local and regional levels, and the Guide provides town officials and interested citizens with the tools - both regulatory and non-regulatory - to do just that. [Learn More]
Funding Available for Lake Champlain Projects
Grants are now available to support projects focused on Lake Champlain through the Lake Champlain and Tributaries Restoration Fund and the South Lake Champlain Fund, both housed at the Vermont Community Foundation. Application deadline is December 13, 2013. [Learn More]
Working Lands Enterprise Board Announces Over $1 Million in Available Grant Funds
The WLEB announces the availability of over $1 million in grant funds for investment into farm, food systems, forestry, and forest products enterprises. Application deadlines vary. [Learn More]
Win $5MM for your County or City Through the Georgetown University Energy Prize
This multi-year, $5 million prize was born of a mission to tap the imagination, creativity, and spirit of competition between communities across the country to develop sustainable energy-saving innovations. [Learn More]
 Public Meetings Set for Lake Champlain "Total Maximum Daily Load" Pollution Budget
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, in conjunction with the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation and the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets, is holding a series of six public meetings in December to discuss the new phosphorus plan that is under development by the EPA for the Lake Champlain Basin, referred to as a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL). [Learn More]
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Emergency Preparedness
Implementing ECOS Plan Strategy # 5
Emergency Notification System Launched in Vermont
 Vermonters have a new, free tool at their disposal to stay informed of pending disasters, weather conditions, public health notifications, and countless other alerts that could affect themselves or their loved ones.
Contact
For questions regarding Emergency Preparedness, including LEPC 1 or 5, please contact Paul Luciano in the CCRPC office.
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Save the Date
Friday, December 6: First Responder Safety Training - Gaseous Fuels and Hydrogen Powered Vehicles
Gain important knowledge and skills to help safely deal with alternative fuel vehicles. Event is free; class is limited to 25. Registration deadline is November 29. [Learn More & Register]
Saturday, December 7: 6th Annual VECAN Conference
Designed to inspire, support and grow the statewide network of town energy committees and other energy-ambitious Vermonters, this one-day conference emphasizes clean energy and climate action strategies that can be implemented locally. [Learn More & Register]
Tuesday, December 17: A Second Summit on the Future of Vermont's Working Landscape
Designed to bring all parties and partners together, build unity and momentum, and advance the next steps needed for public policy and investment for Vermont's Working Lands. [Learn More & Register]
TRB Tools of the Trade Transportation Conference: July 21-23, 2014
The CCRPC is the local host for the 2014 Transportation Research Board's conference focusing on small- and medium-sized communities. Join us for 2 ½ days of presentations, interactive sessions, and panel discussions to enhance your transportation planning practice in small and medium sized communities. Room registration now open. [Learn More & Register]
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If you have questions, feedback, or suggested content for upcoming issues, we'd love to hear from you! Please contact us. 
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