This week at the WRC: 10/19 - 10/23
- October 20, 4:00 pm: Sibling Region Committee, remote meeting
- October 22, 5:00 pm: Natural Resources Committee, remote meeting
Full Meetings and Events Calendar, and Warnings | Current Newsletter | June - October 2020 Staff Report
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Call for Letters of Interest in a Windham Region Brownfields Area-Wide Plan
This is a Call for Letters of Interest to all communities in the Windham Region, who may be interested in developing a Brownfields Area-wide Plan for their downtown or village center. The Area-wide Plan will be funded through a Windham Regional Commission (WRC) Brownfields Assessment Grant from the Environmental Protection Agency. The goal of the Area-wide Plan is to provide a vision for the economic and community revitalization of vacant and underutilized brownfield sites within a targeted area of a community. The plan will provide information and analysis of environmental and market conditions that will help the community identify opportunities and challenges in its’ downtown or village center. The plan will present a vision for the redevelopment of key cluster parcels in the area, as well as implementation steps to transform a community’s center.
SAVE THE DATE: Community Development Webinar
Community Development Models: An Overview
Tripp Muldrow, FAICP, is a planner and economic development consultant who has worked nationally, as well as throughout Vermont. Tripp will share organizational models, state and national resources, case studies, and practical advice on how to organize, engage, and plan for village centers, communities, and regions. He will focus on how these organizations have worked and how they are adapting to dynamic challenges facing communities brought about by the national pandemic, shifting demographics, and dramatic change. His presentation is solutions-oriented and tailored to the uniqueness of Vermont’s communities. The discussion will conclude with questions from the participants.
Vermont Local Government Expense Reimbursement (LGER) Grant Program Information
Vermont's units of local government, including counties, cities, towns, and various service districts, can now apply for reimbursement of eligible COVID-19 response-related expenses through a grant program created under Act 137 of 2020. Vermont’s regional planning commissions are assisting with the application process. Application deadline is September 4.
An information session was held Monday, August 24. Click here for a copy of the presentation.
WRC Seeks Firm for Audit Services
The Windham Regional Commission (WRC) is currently seeking a qualified CPA firm to provide audit services for our organization for a one-year period (FY2020), with a mutual option to renew for an additional two years. We invite any qualified firm to submit a proposal to us by September 23, 2020 for consideration. More information can be found here.
Check out "Energy Bites," Lunchtime Programs for Energy Efficiency
Energy Bites: Lunchtime Programs for Energy Efficiency is a short series of presentations offered to energy committees and residents to learn more about energy efficiency opportunities for homes and businesses. There are many ways that residents can save money and decrease their carbon footprint. These programs highlight partners throughout the State of Vermont who are offering incentives for residents to accomplish their energy efficiency goals.
From the Chair & Director: Update for the Full Commission, 4/27/2020
At its meeting on Tuesday, April 14th the Executive Board asked that we provide you with an update on WRC operations. The remote meeting was held via Zoom, minutes are posted to the WRC website as usual, and a recording is available upon request.
From the Director, Spring 2020: WRC COVID-19 Response Update
The following is a brief summary of WRC activities related to COVID-19, and our operations during this State of Emergency. We used to develop similar summaries in the wake of Irene and they were considered helpful. I welcome your feedback. So as to make effective use of everyone’s time I’ll pull these together as there is new news to share. In between summaries you can assume we’re in the same operational situation and performing the same or similar tasks. If you use Facebook I encourage you to follow us at https://www.facebook.com/windhamregional. Please let me know if you have any questions, and feel free to share this with anyone you think would be interested.
Addressing COVID-19 Restrictions with Interim Bylaws: WRC Can Help
The WRC is available to assist towns interested in addressing issues in their zoning that may hinder re-opening of businesses under COVID-10 restrictions. If there are solutions not currently permissible, such as facilitating outdoor dining areas, you may be able to address them through short-term or temporary amendments to the zoning bylaws.
Collaborating with numerous partners, the WRC helped to develop a brief guidance document on how towns may address COVID-19 pandemic restrictions through the use of Interim Bylaws. You can access that guidance document here.
WRC Welcomes Abby Touchet as Summer GIS/Transportation Technician
Abby Touchet’s grandfather was the longtime highway superintendent of Westhampton, Massachusetts. That seems fitting, as Abby will be spending time this summer walking the roads of the Windham Region doing culvert inventories and working on a host of other GIS and transportation projects. Currently she’s focusing on Guilford’s culvert inventory.
COVID-19 Community Response and Recovery Team Forms
The WRC has been involved with the formation of a multi-sector team focused on the response and recovery needs of residents in the Windham Region. This team, called the Windham Region COVID-19 Community Response and Recovery Committee (CCRRC), is led by Sue Graff with the local Vermont Agency of Human Services district, and meets regularly to share updates, identify gaps and needs, and allocate resources appropriately. It functions as an ad hoc committee of the Southern Windham Community Organizations Active in Disaster (SWCOAD).
From the Chair & Director: WRC Operations During COVID-19 Social Distancing
The Windham Regional Commission stands ready to assist the towns of the Windham Region with their needs during this time of global response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In the immediate term we have provided the town contacts that we have to the local Department of Health districts so they have a direct line of communication with you, and we have sent towns information about continuity of operations planning. The following is an update.
COVID-19 Information and Support for the Businesses & Economy of the Windham Region
The Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation, the regional development corporation for the Windham Region, is coordinating the regional response to the economic impacts of the pandemic. The BDCC has formed the COVID-19 Windham Economic Resiliency Team, which includes the WRC, and is serving as a conduit of information to and from the region’s business community.
For more information visit: https://brattleborodevelopment.com/covid-19/.
Coordination of Volunteers in Response to COVID-19
Volunteer coorination in response to COVID-19 is happening at the state level and regionally. The State of Vermont is looking for volunteers in a variety of areas and professions to help in communities across the State that have been affected by COVID-19. The state's volunteer website directs residents with health care training to register with regional Medical Reserve Corps units. Those teams can supplement local health care providers if hospitals get overwhelmed by COVID-19 cases. Volunteers are also being sought with other skills, among them drivers, food service workers and construction workers. To sign up go to: https://www.vermont.gov/volunteer
Internet Connectivity Resources During COVID-19 State of Emergency
The Vermont Department of Public Service has developed a map of libraries, local and state buildings, and schools offering free, open Wi-Fi internet access. They also have information about what cable, telephone, and mobile carriers are doing to assist consumers, including those with low income, and places where consumers can find internet access and be updated as new information becomes available. Here’s the link:
