As the days get warmer and longer and we spend more time outdoors enjoying all our region has to offer, the month of May is host to many events that gear our attention toward the environment and our quality of life. I'd like to take a moment to thank everyone who participated in these important events that directly and positively impact our environment and quality of life locally, regionally, and statewide.

The 45th annual Green Up Day was May 2nd, and communities around the state gathered to collectively reduce the amount of litter dotting our roadsides and landscapes. 

Relatedly, the Chittenden County Stream Team (sponsored by the MS-4 communities) is looking for Water Quality Sampling Volunteers. Water quality sampling in Chittenden County will be underway soon, with the first samples taken on June 23rd. This year, the CCST will be sampling six separate times at 15 sites across Chittenden County and during rain events. Sampling occurs between 6-9am on designated Tuesdays from late June to early September. The CCST is looking forward to analyzing the data and keeping you posted throughout the summer. If you are interested in volunteering, contact anna@winooskinrcd.org.

Thanks to those of you who participated in the Way to Go! Smart Trip Challenge from May 4-15 either directly or through Vermontivate! The CCRPC helped sponsor both of these events and we hope they inspire you to make a difference in your community.

Lastly, from May 16-June 12, you can participate in the Vermont Bike Challenge. This event provides more opportunities to participate and reduce driving costs, air pollution, and traffic congestion.

Thank you to all.

Best regards,

Charlie Baker

Executive Director

On behalf of nine municipalities and three organizations, the CCRPC accepted a 2014 Best Stormwater Idea in New England "Stormy Award" from the New England Stormwater Collaborative. The award recognizes the combined and coordinated efforts of Milton, Colchester, Winooski, Essex, Essex Junction, Williston, Burlington, South Burlington and Shelburne, plus Burlington International Airport, UVM, and VTrans in creating and operating regional public awareness programs that aim at reducing the impacts of stormwater runoff. [Learn More]

VTrans is recruiting for an AOT Planning Coordinator II position. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply through the state job recruitment website. Application deadline: May 25.

VTrans will hold an informational meeting on May 28 beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the Meeting House, 830 Main Street, Colchester on two bridge rehabilitation projects for I-89 Bridges 76 (North & South) and 77 (North & South) located in Colchester. The purpose of the meeting is to provide an overview of these bridge replacement projects and solicit feedback regarding project development and final bridge appearance. For more information, contact Jennifer Fitch.

VTrans is soliciting applications for projects through the Bicycle and Pedestrian Program. The intent of the program is to improve access and safety for bicyclists and/or pedestrians through the planning, design and construction of infrastructure projects. Application deadline: 1:00pm, July 17. [Download the Guide and Application]

The City of Burlington has been designated a Silver Level Bicycle Friendly Business by the League of American Bicyclists. [Learn More]

Effective May 18, Winooski began implementing paid on-street parking. The fee is $1/hour from 7am-8pm, Monday through Saturday, and payment (coin or credit/debit card) is accepted via kiosks. [Learn More]

The APBP Board of Directors has approved the association's 10th chapter, in Vermont, formed by APBP members Jon Kaplan (VTrans) and Bryan Davis (CCRPC). The chapter's inaugural event will be held on Thursday, May 21 at 4:30pm in Winooski to explore pedestrian amenities and improvements, followed by a social hour. Meet at the plaza in front of Champlain Mill/MyWebGrocer on Winooski Falls Way. For more information, contact Bryan Davis.

Host Shelagh Cooley speaks with Nate Wildfire, Burlington's Assistant Director for Economic Development, and Kelly Devine, Executive Director of the Burlington Business Association, about the Burlington Downtown Parking Study. [Watch the Video]

Do you have a question about paving status, bridge maintenance, or another project in your area? The VTransparency team has taken data from sources all over the agency to create tools for getting answers to some of the questions they get most often. [Learn More]

On April 29 the CCRPC, in partnership with VT Local Roads and the UVM Extension, hosted a Chittenden County Road Managers meeting to discuss the improved VTCulverts website and learn about the threat of the Emerald Ash Borer, an insect capable of creating widespread damage and devastation to ash trees.

The University of Vermont officially broke ground May 15 on its $104 million STEM project. Governor Shumlin thanked UVM President Tom Sullivan for making the STEM project a strategic priority and stressed its importance to the state's economic future. [Learn More]

With Vermont Gas Systems' expanded service to Jericho and Richmond, almost 950 new business and residential customers saved nearly $1.9 million in 2014 by converting from heating oil and propane. [Learn More]

On June 15th, residents of Williston and the surrounding area will get a chance to learn about EVs first hand in the second installment of Sustainable Williston's Sustainable Energy series. Local EV owners will bring cars like the Nissan Leaf and Volkswagon eGolf for attendees to examine up close, and Dave Roberts of Drive Electric Vermont will offer a presentation covering key topics like electric vehicle types and options, greenhouse gas emissions, and charging both at home and on the road. [Learn More]

The Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program is a way of financing energy efficient home improvements by borrowing money and tying the payments to a property rather than the owner. PACE can help homeowners overcome financial obstacles to investing in energy improvements to their homes. [Learn More]

This 30-minute training was developed with the assistance of EPA's Local Government Advisory Committee. [Learn More]

Under Act 148 of the Universal Recycling Law, starting on July 1 every residence and business will be required to separate recyclable metal, glass, plastic and paper from trash. Also beginning July 1, municipalities will have to provide recycling containers along with trash cans in public places and transfer stations. [Learn More]

Join us for the big reveal! Hear a presentation of the draft planBTV South End Master Plan, ask questions and provide feedback. June 17, 5-8pm at Arts Riot in Burlington. [Learn More]

On April 20, the VHFA Board of Commissioners committed $2.55 million in federal low-income housing tax credits and $432,500 in state housing tax credits to expand Vermont's stock of affordable, energy-efficient housing. The tax credits will generate approximately $23.5 million in upfront equity for the construction and rehabilitation of 452 primarily rental homes across the state, guaranteed to remain affordable for at least 30 years. [Learn More]

With a grant from Michigan State University's CAPE (Community Assessment and Education to Promote Behavioral Health Planning and Evaluation) project, UVM's Center for Rural Studies will develop a first-of-its-kind online community health and public safety "dashboard" of timely data that will allow local officials in Burlington to respond more effectively to the shifting mix of behavioral health issues that emerge in its neighborhoods. [Learn More]

The CCRPC is working with its 19 member municipalities to prepare a 2016 update to its Multi-Jurisdictional (county-wide) All Hazards Mitigation Plan. FEMA regulations require that this Plan be updated, adopted, and approved every five years in order for jurisdictions to maintain eligibility for pre-disaster mitigation funding. This five-year update cycle also helps to ensure the Plan remains current and relevant. [Watch the WPTZ News Story]

Severe weather can strike at any time. Are you prepared? The National Preparedness Community has released the new Severe Weather Preparedness Toolkit, available for download. [Learn More]

For questions regarding emergency preparedness, including LEPC 1, please contact Lee Krohn in the CCRPC office.

Come join us to celebrate the natural and cultural values of our lakes, May 29-30, for the Vermont-hosted New England Chapter of the North American Lakes Conference. The NEC NALMS conference will take place in Burlington, VT at the Main Street Landing and Performing Arts Center. [Learn More]

Burlington will host the 2015 Downtown and Historic Preservation Conference on Friday, June 5th at Main Street Landing. The conference offers walking tours and education sessions packed with practical ideas and information you can use to help your community thrive. [Learn More & Register]

Save the date for the Vermont League of Cities & Towns' Planning & Zoning Forum. [Learn More]

Save the date for the 2015 APA Getting Ahead of the Future conference in Saratoga Springs, NY. [Learn More]

This year's conference, Leading the Energy REVolution, will be held at the Sheraton in Burlington on October 8th and 9th. [Learn More]