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From the Director, Fall 2024: Bringing University Faculty & Students into the Region
I came to the WRC from academia. As an assistant professor of landscape architecture and graduate program coordinator at Mississippi State University I engaged with communities to explore planning and design solutions for their benefit, and for students to get real world, direct community engagement experience. The students also brought new eyes to what were often lingering problems and could engage with communities in ways that transcended entrenched fault lines of opinion. As a faculty member I applied my research and community service to regional, state, and local needs. Among these projects was collaboration on the development of Firewise guidance to help communities plan for wildland fire mitigation, the creation of introductory materials for towns about planning, zoning and manufactured homes, and examining planning for a freight hub. That experience, and my experience as a student, has led me to engage faculty and students in the Windham Region, as well as Vermont as a whole, because I’ve seen the difference it can make.
VTrans Announces the Next Round of Better Roads Grants
Applications due December 27, 2024
Better Roads Grants provide funding for ditching, culverts, and road erosion inventories. Category A grants, which fund road erosion inventories (REIs), will help towns meet the Municipal Roads General Permit requirement for all towns to have REIs updated by the end of 2027. Category B grants will fund projects which include drainage culvert replacement and ditching improvements, particularly stone lined ditches. Category C grants cover mitigation of streambank erosion issues, while Category D grants can be used for larger stream culverts.
Windham Regional Commission Helps Towns Explore Housing Options
Last spring, the Windham Regional Commission (WRC) entered into a new partnership to explore housing needs and solutions in the towns of Jamaica, Londonderry, Weston, and Winhall. WRC partnered with the University of Massachusetts (UMass) Center for Resilient Metro Regions in the Department of Landscape Architecture and Regional Planning and the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Foundation’s Communities by Design (CxD) Program to assess housing needs and develop recommendations to address potential solutions.
The first phase of the project involved the development of a housing needs assessment led by a UMass graduate student and faculty member. They gathered and analyzed data and identified potential sites that could work for housing because they’re in proximity to village centers, and locations out of flood plains and river corridors. The housing needs assessment identifies gaps in housing tenure, housing types, housing locations, and housing affordability and burdens. This information is important for communities to understand as they plan for the future.
Municipal Vulnerability Indicators Tool Training Session Recording Available
Are you curious about your town’s social, environmental, and economic characteristics, and how climate change might impact your community? Would you like to learn how to use maps to identify vulnerabilities and inform local planning decisions?
The Municipal Vulnerability Indicators Tool (MVI) is a mapping tool to help municipalities understand their vulnerabilities to climate change across several social, economic, and environmental factors. The MVI can help Vermont communities identify where climate change is placing pressure on transportation, electrical grid, housing, emergency services, communications infrastructure, and more. It can inform towns’ hazard mitigation plans, local energy plans, or other climate-related efforts. It includes both climate hazard data (for hazards where mapping is feasible), and community characteristics that could indicate vulnerability to climate hazards.
Windham Region Towns Awarded VTrans Bicycle and Pedestrian Funding
Two towns in the Windham Region were awarded funding in the most recent round of VTrans Bicycle and Pedestrian grants for projects that will improve bicycle and pedestrian mobility in the region.
Newfane was awarded more than $500,000 in funding for the restoration of the existing sidewalks in the village, as well for the construction of new sections of sidewalk along Newfane Common and along the southern end of the village to Loop Road. This project will also create a raised crosswalk across Route 30 at the intersection of Court and Jail Streets adjacent to the Newfane Country Store, as well as add three conventional painted crosswalks across VT-30 within the village. This construction grant is the result of several years of collaboration between the town of Newfane, VTrans, the Windham Regional Commission and the consulting firm Dubois & King. This project had previously been scoped and designed through a grant from the VTrans Transportation Alternatives program that provided detailed designs that will be used as the basis for the sidewalk construction project.
WRC Welcomes New Planner!
Greetings everyone! My name is Anand Fedele, and I am a new Assistant Planner at WRC. I was initially brought on as an intern to support the Windham Resiliency Zone Project, but since then, transitioned to a full-time role on the Commission’s staff. I am originally from Rockport, Massachusetts, but moved to the Pioneer Valley in 2021 to attend UMass Amherst. Throughout college, I gained experience doing non-profit outreach and environmental education in Eastern and Western Massachusetts. After graduation, I made a short trek north and now live in Brattleboro near the WRC office.
MERP Implementation Grants
Vermont Buildings and General Services, administrators of the Municipal Energy Resilience Program (MERP) announced last week that, due to a number of factors, only municipalities that received energy audits in the program and that were listed as High or Highest Energy Burden municipalities in the 2019 Energy Burden Report will be able to apply for implementation fund grants under the program.
From the Director, Summer 2024: Thinking Continentally & Acting Locally on Large-Scale Landscape Conservation & Habitat Connectivity
In June I joined over 170 participants from the U.S., Canada, and Indigenous nations for the first Northeastern North America/Turtle Island Landscape Connectivity Summit to discuss collaboration towards conserving and connecting habitat blocks across northern Appalachia. This incredibly inspiring and productive gathering was co-hosted by the Quebec Labrador Foundation and the Center for Large Landscape Conservation on behalf of the Staying Connected Initiative partnership. One of the challenges that kept coming up was local capacity; local in this case being at the county/regional and municipal scales in both the U.S. and Canada.
FEMA Hazard Mitigation Funding Opportunity – Build Resilience!
Following the July 2023 flooding, an unprecedented amount of FEMA hazard mitigation funding is available to Vermont towns and other eligible applicants for projects that reduce the risk of flooding or other hazards. Entities interested in applying do not need to have damages from that event. Towns and other eligible applicants seeking funding for hazard mitigation projects must complete the Pre-Application Form by June 21, 2024. Pre-Applications will be evaluated for eligibility, feasibility, and cost-effectiveness. Projects found to meet these requirements will then be invited to apply, provided technical assistance (if requested), and submitted to FEMA once completed, by late 2024.
Resilience Initiative for Vermont Empowerment and Recovery (RIVER)
RIVER is a project dedicated to developing locally supported ideas for reducing flood damage in several municipalities around the state that were hit hard in July 2023. In the WRC Region, that includes Jamaica, Londonderry and Weston. Community discussions for this project are being led by the WRC in concert with the affected towns. Information about the project overall is available on the project website.
From the Director, Spring 2024: Housing: What can towns, and the region, really do about creating more?
We’re deep in a housing crisis that was decades in the making. What can towns, and the Windham Regional Commission, do about it? Towns can actually take concrete steps to create favorable conditions for more housing. Regions can help with higher-level planning and support of municipal efforts, but we don’t have the authority to take the actions that towns are empowered to take like planning and building infrastructure, streamlining zoning and permitting, and even providing access to land. To that end it's often supporting the work of towns where we can make the most difference.
From the Director, January 2024: Understanding the Story of Town Government & Its Limitations
In October the WRC co-hosted with the Vermont League of Cities and Towns a convening in Townshend of selectboard members from throughout the region for them to have a conversation with one another, and for us to hear what they have to say about the things they’re dealing with. Many of these volunteer elected municipal leaders give dozens of hours of their time each week to the needs of their respective towns, and it’s still not enough. Their work has become more complex. They’re navigating damage done by storm after storm, navigating state and federal requirements across multiple programs, trying to hire and retain personnel hiring, coping with a diminishing town service volunteer pool, managing major infrastructure planning and investment, and, in cases, dealing with personal attacks and intentional obstruction of public proceedings. Everyone who attended wanted to keep the conversation going, so we’ll make sure that happens.
Disasters and WRC Support for Towns
Dear Towns and WRC Commissioners:
Both before a disaster and after we strive to help towns through the response and recovery process. This is an overview of our role and who on our staff to contact about what. We’ve worked hard both within the region and with the state in the years since tropical storm Irene to put processes in place to help avoid confusion and duplication of effort. Unfortunately we’ve had multiple disasters since Irene that have helped us hone lines of communication and distribution of guidance, and build relationships with our staff so your emergency management directors, road foremen, town administrators and managers, and selectboard chairs know who to go to with questions. Because there’s constant change among selectboards, they may be less familiar with our role in support of towns.
WRC Transportation Committee to Make Structural Changes
The Windham Regional Commission has begun the process of transitioning our Transportation Committee to a Transportation Advisory Committee. The change in structure of the WRC Transportation Committee will give all towns the option to appoint a dedicated representative to the Transportation Advisory Committee outside of the normal commissioner structure of the Windham Regional Commission. The goal of the process is to expand regional representation on the Committee, include more towns in the regional transportation planning process and create a broader regional forum to discuss shared transportation challenges and the impact of statewide transportation policy.
An Update On The Municipal Energy Resilience Program
The Municipal Energy Resiliency Program (MERP) is underway with the capacity building mini grants being distributed to municipalities who applied throughout the end of May into June. Towns are using these funds to educate their communities on energy and resilience topics, state and federal programs that residents can leverage to make their homes more efficient, Americans with Disabilities Act audits of municipal buildings and a host of other approved uses. The Town of Wilmington is using the mini grant funds to host an energy fair at the new public safety complex.
Protecting Unique Wetlands and Rivers through Reclassification
WRC has received funding support to work with municipalities to learn about reclassification of surface waters meeting a high level of water quality. WRC will be focusing on wetlands that meet the Class 1 criteria and rivers that are eligible for a higher level of classification. This work is supported through a grant provided by the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation. Activities will begin this Summer and will continue through Fall 2024. Does your town have a unique wetland or a river that is exceptional for aquatic habitat, fishing, or is used as a public water source? Reclassification might be a great tool for protecting the quality of these waters into the future.
WRC Hosts Natural Resources Board Staff for a “Getting to know Act 250” Presentation
On the evening of May 1st 2023, WRC hosted Vermont Natural Resources Board staff for a “Getting to Know Act 250” presentation. In attendance from the NRB were: Sabina Haskell, Chair; Peter Gill, Executive Director; Aaron Brondyke, State Coordinator; Stephanie Gile, District 2 Coordinator; and Quin Mann, District Coordinator. It was a great opportunity for attendees to learn more about such things as: the structure and workings of Act 250; how to effectively field questions from the public regarding the need for an Act 250 permit; how to engage in the process; and how to look projects up on the Act 250 database. If you ever have specific questions about Act 250, you can reach out to either Alyssa Sabetto at WRC or to Act 250 District Coordinator, Stephanie Gile at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
WRC Hosted Informational Session on Floodplain Map Update Starting Soon
On the evening of May 8th 2023, WRC hosted Ned Swanberg, Vermont Flood Hazard Mapping Coordinator with the VT DEC Rivers Program, for a “NFIP Map Update Informational Session”. The Session provided region specific detail about the coming FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) map update process. This update process will be taking place for all Vermont counties and information is available here. The Session was a great opportunity to learn more about: the map update process, the timing of the updates for each county in the region, basics of the data behind the map update and how the new maps will alter the Special Flood Hazard Area. Many town flood hazard bylaws will need to be updated in conjunction with the new FEMA maps going effective. If you’d like to get that process started, reach out to Alyssa Sabetto. Questions about the map update process can be directed to either Ned Swanberg via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or John Broker-Campbell via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. A copy of the presentation is here, an informational flyer for the region is here, and the link to the recording is here.
WRC Hosts Webinar on Regional Plan Update Project
WRC staff hosted a webinar on the Windham Regional Plan update project on Wednesday, May 10th, 2023. WRC Committees have spent the last several months working with staff to review the current Regional Plan and identify sections and policies that need to be updated based on issues and challenges the region is facing and future areas of concern. This webinar provided towns, local organizations, and members of the public with an overview of the purpose of the Regional Plan, updated demographic data for the region, and some of the priority areas the update will focus on. The presentation slides can be downloaded here and the link to the recording is here.
WRC Hires New Senior Planner!
Hello! My name is Mike McConnell, a new Senior Planner with the WRC. I began in earnest on December 12, 2022 after previous stops in Colorado Springs, CO, Benton County AR and most recently Helena, Montana. My primary tasks in those locations were site plan, subdivision and annexation review, specialized reviews in hillside development projects, and all manner of comprehensive planning projects. Fairly typical for a municipal planner. I hope that this next challenge with the WRC is as rewarding for our member towns as it will be for me.
Grants in Aid Program Continues to Benefit Towns, and Their Roads
Just about every town road crew in the Windham Region (or their contractors) are busy this summer working on road drainage projects funded through the Vermont Agency of Transportation. Stone or grass ditching and new, larger culverts are just some of the practices being put in place. The ultimate goal is to improve water quality under the direction of Vermont’s Municipal Roads General Permit (MRGP), but many towns acknowledge these practices are also making their roads more resilient. With these improvements to their drainage systems, roads are washing out less often during intense rainstorms.
From the Director, December 2022: Small is Beautiful
Sometimes the best planning a town can do is around a small project that builds community ties. This can be particularly important if the town has been dealing with issues around which there’s no broad consensus, and that may have stoked emotions or created or reinforced sides. There’s almost always something the town wants or needs that’s achievable, and it’s through these projects that relationships can be strengthened, trust can be built, and real, tangible outcomes can be achieved for all.
John Bennett to Retire After More than 20 Years of Service to Region
Associate Director John Bennett will be retiring on September 30th after more than 20 years of service to the region. John first started working for the WRC in 1996 as a Special Projects Planner. His responsibilities then included managing the update of the Windham Regional Plan, developing a Strategic Plan for the Economy of the Windham Region, conducting regional Act 250 review for Mount Snow development projects, and aiding region towns with land use planning and regulation and assorted other general issues.
TrailFinder Can Help You Plan Your Next Hike
The Windham Region is blessed with many hard-working organizations that build and maintain non-motorized trails. With so many organizations though, it means you have so many different places to look when you want information about local trails. Enter TrailFinder, which can serve as a one-stop portal for trail information.
Updated Guidance on the American Rescue Plan Act and First Reporting Deadline
The Treasury Department recently issued the Final Rule for the use of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds by municipalities, with some important new guidelines that towns should be aware of. The deadline for the first ARPA Project and Expenditure Report is April 30th and towns should begin preparing to submit the required information to the Treasury Department. Please contact us at the Windham Regional Commission if you have questions or need support.
Windham Region Electricity Resiliency Zone Project – A Partnership With Green Mountain Power
The WRC has received Congressionally Directed Spending (earmark) through Senator Sanders to work in partnership with Green Mountain Power to develop resiliency zones. These zones are community-scale custom energy storage projects that pair clean power generation with utility-scale batteries to provide community resilience in the face of increasing storm-related grid outages. The WRC’s role is to work with towns to discuss community needs and work with them to develop resiliency zone plans.
Route 30 Transit Study
A transit study is underway in the Windham region that aims to bring public transit service to residents of the Rt. 30 corridor from Brattleboro to Stratton Mountain. Southeast Vermont Transit, in collaboration with VTrans and the Windham Regional Commission have begun work on the study that will evaluate the possibility of fixed route bus service along Rt. 30, through Brattleboro, Newfane, Townshend, Jamaica, and Winhall. RLS & Associates, a transportation consulting firm headquartered in Dayton, Ohio, has been hired to conduct the study.
Windham Region Broadband Project Receives Award
The Windham Regional Commission and its partners, ValleyNet, Rural Innovation Strategies and the Deerfield Valley Communications Union District have received a 2021 Aliceann Wohlbruck Impact Award from the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) for the Windham Region Broadband Project.
The Windham Region Broadband Project was developed pre-COVID pandemic because our communities already understood that their residents who were not connected to the internet were being left behind. It was one of the first projects funded by Vermont’s Broadband Innovation Grant (BIG) program. The primary objective of the Windham Region Broadband Project was to serve the unserved and underserved areas of the region. Once COVID hit, internet access was no longer considered a luxury by anyone but a necessity for work, education, health and well-being.
Nine Towns Apply for Municipal Planning and Bylaw Modernization Grants
A number of Windham region towns worked long and hard to develop and submit applications for Municipal Planning Grants (MPGs) by a November 1 deadline and for Bylaw Modernization Grants (BMGs) by a November 15 deadline. The MPG applicants included:
- Brattleboro for a Walk/Bike Master Plan to evaluate the pedestrian and bicycle system and create a prioritized action plan;
- Putney for a Town Plan update including an Enhanced Energy Plan, mapping and evaluation of Act 171 forest blocks and habitat connectors, and agricultural uses and their supporting lands;
- Rockingham for identifying three alternatives for 37 Main Street and producing a street plan for the west end of the Designated Village Center in Saxtons River;
Road Foremen Meet After Two Year Hiatus
Representatives from 19 towns met the last week in October 2021 at the Dover Town Garage to discuss issues relevant to their road crews. Whether their title is - road foreman, road commissioner, highway superintendent, or public works director - the folks who take care of your roads came together for what WRC calls a Road Foremen’s meeting—the first one in over two years. The meeting featured a packed agenda, with topics including the current and upcoming funding rounds for Grants in Aid, the Better Roads grant program, equipment grants, attendee’s experiences with leaf blowers and hydro seeders, how towns are using tables and smartphones for mapping, stone lined ditches, and salt and sand availability issues.
From the Director, Spring 2022: The Joy of Planning
I worry sometimes that approaches to the planning process itself can suck the joy out of what can and should be an exhilarating endeavor. Think about it: we live in a state in a nation where we’re supposed to engage with one another to develop a vision with our neighbors of where we want to be in 5-10-15-30-50 years from now, and how to get there. In the span of human history, that’s a pretty amazing thing! To be sure we are still in the process of forming our more perfect union, but we have no king or dictator telling us how things are going to be. We are not at risk of being attacked by a neighboring power to subject us to their will. Planning should be a celebration of our ability to shape our communities’ futures, and bringing all of our neighbors together to have that conversation.
GMP Proposes Use of Pole Socks Statewide
Green Mountain Power (GMP) attended the December 2020 WRC Project Review Committee (PRC) meeting to discuss the relocation of approximately 5700’ of power line along Weatherhead Hollow Road in Guilford which required an Act 250 permit (2W1365). The District 2 Environmental Commission (DEC2) had proposed to permit GMP to use alternate pole materials for several poles that were within wetland or wetland buffer. GMP was resistant to this proposed permit condition, wanting instead to continue to use chemical treated penta poles, and they called for a hearing. Because of this seeming impasse, the PRC suggested to GMP the consideration of the use of plastic ‘pole socks’ as a way to both use penta poles and prevent seepage to the surrounding environment.
Guidance Available on the American Rescue Plan Act and What Funds Can Be Used for In Your Community
The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), a response to the impacts of the Coronavirus on the economy, is bringing a lot of important funding to our municipalities. Windham Regional is looking forward to working with you to help answer questions, provide resource information and assist with strategizing for long term economic investment. Questions on what and how municipalities can spend the ARPA money on are numerous and we all will all have to be patient as guidelines for the use of the money are released and then interpreted.
With Regional Plan Assessment, WRC Prepares to Readopt its Current Regional Plan
The Windham Regional Commission (WRC) intends to readopt its current regional plan, originally adopted September 30, 2014, and subsequently amended on April 24, 2018 to include the Windham Regional Energy Plan. Per 24 V.S.A. § 4348b, a regional plan that has expired or is about to expire may be readopted as provided under section 4348 for the adoption of a regional plan or amendment. Prior to readoption, the regional planning commission shall prepare an assessment report which shall be submitted to the Agency of Commerce and Community Development and the municipalities within the region. At its meeting on March 30, 2021, the Full Commission voted unanimously to send this regional plan assessment to the aforementioned statutory parties.
Grants In Aid Program Brings Nearly Half a Million Dollars to Region’s Towns
Twenty-six towns in the Windham Region are each poised to receive anywhere from $5,000 to as much as $31,000 this year for construction projects to improve water quality and make their roads more resilient. The Grants in Aid program provides funds to towns to help them comply with the conditions of Vermont’s Municipal Roads General Permit. Construction projects can include ditching and stone lining or seeding, and small culvert upgrades.
CISMA: Fighting the Spread of Invasives Through Education
Regional organizations and foresters have banded together to form the Southeastern Vermont Cooperative Invasive Species Management Alliance (CISMA), a group looking at forest invasives and how to manage them. As part of the steering committee, WRC staff have been involved in helping form the CISMA and launch its fall and winter webinars focusing on forest invasives.
Wrapping up the Local Government Expense Reimbursement Grant
Cleanup and Assessment Funds Approved for the Garage in Bellows Falls
The WRC Executive Board approved an RLF cleanup grant for Windham Windsor Housing Trust in December 2020 for the Garage Project in Bellows Falls. The approved cleanup funds are a small but important piece of the funding stack needed to redevelop this site, which was originally built as a garage and also housed a dry cleaners and a dyers. The site will be redeveloped into apartments affordable to residents of various income levels. While the site fronts on Rockingham Street in downtown Bellows Falls, it also has incredible views to the east of the Connecticut River and beyond. Below is an architectural drawing of the revitalized site that will include a commercial space on the Rockingham Street level.
In the Field with Lisa Donnelly, WRC’s GIS/Transportation Tech
Working remotely is easy when your office is outdoors! Most of my 2020 field season was spent collecting road erosion inventory data, conducting traffic counts, inspecting Grants In Aid sites, and setting up pedestrian counters in on hiking trails. Because some of this work required several days of long commutes from Brattleboro, I had the unique opportunity to combine my love of the outdoors with my work by setting up camp at some of Vermont's State Parks. For example, camping at Jamaica State Park while working on the road erosion inventory in Winhall shortened my commute from 45 minutes to 10. As a bonus, I got to end my day relaxing by a campfire!
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.
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.
Take a Hike, Off the Trails
During Southeastern Vermont’s school spring break, each day WRC is offering some suggestions for hitting the trails safely this week during the COVID-19 pandemic. For Friday, we’re actually suggesting taking a walk someplace other than a trail where social distancing might be easier.
How about an in-town walk? Villages like Bellows Falls and Brattleboro have large street networks with sidewalks, and in low traffic areas you may be able to safely step into the street to keep your distance from others. (In fact, many larger cities have been converting a travel lane or an entire street to pedestrian use because there are more people on the sidewalk and fewer cars on the streets.)
Skip the Views and Skip the Crowds: Seek Out the Lesser Known Paths
During Southeastern Vermont’s school spring break, each day WRC is offering some suggestions for hitting the trails safely this week during the COVID-19 pandemic. For Wednesday, we suggest that you skip those popular trails that lead to viewpoints, and instead seek out those lesser known woodland paths. And this is a great time of year to do just that. With the leaves off the trees, you can see much more in the woods and still get some limited views here and there. You can also enjoy the spring wildflower display and watch our forests transition from winter into spring. Here are some sugggestions on where you can do this.
Avoid the Crowds on the Trails: Go Early, Go Late
During Southeastern Vermont’s school spring break, each day WRC is offering some suggestions for hitting the trails safely this week during the COVID-19 pandemic. For Tuesday, we suggest that you GO EARLY, GO LATE. You’re likely to encounter far fewer people early in the morning or late in the day, helping you to practice good social distancing. Early risers will experience bird songs filling the air, while late-day enthusiasts will enjoy beautiful evening light. (But unless you’re familiar with the trail and have a good handle on when it get’s dark, it’s best to leave late day walks to those in the know.)
Regional Broadband Project Begins; Kick-off Meeting Presentation Available
The Windham Regional Commission (WRC) held a region-wide meeting on Thursday, January 9th, 2020 to kick-off the new Windham Region Broadband Project. The presentation from that meeting, which describes the elements of this project in detail, is available here. A video of the meeting is available here.
The next meeting will be held February 6th (February 13th snow date) at 6 p.m. at the Newbrook Fire Department in Newfane and will focus on the administration of the broadband survey.
WRC Mourns Loss of Our Friend and Colleague, Mike Shaughnessy
On Thursday, July 11th we learned of the unexpected death of our friend and colleague, Mike Shaughnessy. Mike had worked at WRC as finance manager since he was 21 years old, and for more than 30 years was central to the operation of the Commission and our strong financial integrity. He was a resource for our towns and a leader among the regional planning commission financial managers.
VTrans Looking for Your Input on Public Transit
Got 5 minutes? Do you ride the bus? Carpool? Uber? VTrans want your input! VTrans is updating the Vermont Public Transit Policy Plan (PTPP), examining Vermont’s transit needs and proposing programs and policies to address them. VTrans has heard from Vermonters across the state and have identified public transit issues and challenges, as well as potential strategies for addressing them. You can help VTrans fine tune these items by taking their new survey and letting them know what you think. Survey takers can register for a drawing for a $50 gift card! Your input will help VTrans shape the future of public transportation in Vermont. The survey will be open until September 1st. You can access the survey here.
Windham Regional Commission Receives $300,000 Brownfields Grant
WRC was selected as one of six organizations in Vermont selected to receive a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency for environmental assessment work. The $300,000 grant will cover five site assessments, five cleanup plans and the development of an area-wide plan. This work will be targeted in the communities with the most need, Brattleboro, Bellows Falls and Wilmington, although brownfields projects throughout the region are eligible. “The Windham Regional Commission is pleased to be able to help more communities and property owners clean up and redevelop contaminated sites in Southern Vermont”, said WRC Senior Planner Susan Westa.
WRC Project Showcased at the 2019 Leahy Summit at the ECHO Center
On Friday, April 5th, 2019, staff planner Emily Davis lead a panel discussion with her project partners at the 2019 Leahy Center Environmental Summit at the ECHO Center in Burlington. Hosted by the VT Clean Water Network, the Leahy Summit is a biennial clean water networking event designed to pull together clean water partners involved with community resilience, policy, funding, project development, and clean water implementation. Starting in response to the need for a more holistic approach to watershed planning following Tropical Storm Irene, each Leahy Summit has a theme. The theme for 2019 was: "The Alchemy of Arts & Science."
New Brattleboro Road Map Now Available
WRC has completed a large version of a Brattleboro road map, with every named road and street in town, public and private, on one page, with no insets. The map also includes a name index to help you locate those streets you’ve never heard of before. Lisa Donnelly of the WRC staff gets much of the credit for being the cartographic contortionist, fitting nearly 340 road names into Brattleboro’s very non-linear street network. Interested in a smaller size? WRC also has an 11x17-inch version, on two pages with insets.
PDFs of both maps are available on the WRC web site here. Anyone can take the PDFs to a commercial establishment for printing, or WRC can print out copies of the large map for a small fee. Thanks to the Brattleboro Planning Services Department for reviewing the map.
Funding Available for Dry Hydrant Projects, Other Rural Water Supplies
Are you a town or fire department looking to improve fire suppression capabilities? If so, you may want to check out grant funding opportunities from the Vermont Rural Fire Protection Task Force (formerly the Dry Hydrant Grant Program).
The 2019 program offers grants up to $5000 for installation of new dry hydrants and other types of water supplies, along with repair, upgrade, replacement, or relocation of existing rural water supplies. New this year is funding for drafting site development.
The next round of applications deadlines are June 1st and August 1st, 2019. More information can be found at https://www.vacd.org/programs/rural-fire-protection/
WRC Welcomes Susan Westa as New Senior Planner
Susan Westa, AICP, joined the Windham Regional Commission in January 2019. Susan will be the new Community Development lead at WRC, including the Brownfields program and the regional plan update. Susan comes to WRC from the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission in western MA where she was working with Planning Boards reviewing large scale solar applications and helping develop marijuana zoning bylaws. She also led the development of a Joint Land Use Study with the Westover Airbase and surrounding communities.
WRC Commissioners Visit Rich Earth Institute, Windham County SWMD
On November 15, 2018, the WRC's Energy and Natural Resources Committees attended a field trip to the Brattleboro-based Rich Earth Institute (REI), and the Windham County Solid Waste Management District (WCSWMD). The theme of the trip was energy-efficiency, resource recovery, and closed-loop systems, or sustainable processes that intentionally convert "waste" products into resources. This field trip was especially relevant to the Committees following the approval of the Windham Regional Energy Plan, which contains policies that encourage resource-conscious practices and industries.
People Are Hitting The Trails This Winter
What were people in Brattleboro doing on Christmas Day? How about New Year’s Eve? Would you believe that dozens of people each day were out on the West River Trail? Windham Regional Commission has expanded its pedestrian count program to the winter months, and recent data both surprised and pleased us.
WRC Hosts Successful Emergency Management Director / Fire Chief Roundtables
Windham Regional Commission has held two of our first Emergency Management Director (EMD) and Fire Chief Roundtables. This began after WRC ceased work with the Local Emergency Planning Commission 6 in Summer 2018. WRC's Emergency Planner felt there was a need to engage EMDs as a group and the first quarterly roundtable was held in Fall 2018. The idea was to host an event that was casual enough to promote open discussion, while also bringing up topics to keep the conversations productive.
WRC Continues to Assist With Town Enhanced Energy Planning
The Windham Regional Commission is working with member towns to develop enhanced energy elements for town plans. These enhanced elements meet state standards therefore making the town plan eligible for Substantial Deference in Section 248 proceedings. So far, WRC has assisted nine towns in the development of these plans.
Updated Map of Census Tracts Eligible for New Markets Tax Credits
Congress created the NMTC program in 2000 to spur investment of private capital for economic development in both rural and urban low-income communities. Individuals and corporations receive a tax credit against federal income taxes for making investments in certain low-income properties or businesses when those investments are made through a “community development entity” (CDE). Prospective NMTC projects generally need to be located in qualified census tracts.
Materials from the Forum on Wastewater Solutions for Unsewered Villages
Thank you to everyone who came out for the village wastewater forum on August 2nd. The following are links for materials presented at the meeting:
Wastewater Solutions for Villages in the Windham Region (Department of Environmental Conservation);
Organizing Wastewater Solutions - A Workbook for Local Leaders (Department of Housing and Community Development).
We are currently scheduling a follow-up meeting for interested towns. For more information please contact Emily Davis (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).
West Dummerston and Westminster West Selected for Village Sanitation Pilot Study
On May 25th, community representatives from both West Dummerston and Westminster West submitted, on behalf of participating homeowners in each of their respective neighborhoods, a Letter of Interest to the Windham Regional Commission and the Rich Earth Institute for the Village Sanitation Pilot Study (VSPS). The VSPS is an innovative partnership project that provides a feasibility study to a community that is challenged by septic or wastewater limitations in our historic community centers. The feasibility study will provide a pathway for innovative wastewater solutions which can help address aging septic systems that may impact ground and/or surface water quality, human health, and the financial ability of home and business owners to properly maintain and update these on-site systems.
LEPC-6 Transitions Away from WRC
You may have heard that the Local Emergency Planning Commission 6 (LEPC-6) is in transition. That is true, and here is some information about what's new.
The June 19th LEPC-6 meeting was the last meeting organized with WRC involvement. For a number of reasons, WRC felt it was the right time to transition away from LEPC-6 involvement and towards creating our own method of involving the public and our emergency management partners going forward. June 30th is the last day that WRC will serve in the Secretary and Treasurer roles. Additionally, Paul Fraser is stepping down as Chair on June 30th. We want to thank him for his dedicated, enthusiastic and entertaining service throughout the last three and a half years.
The Green River Watershed Alliance rolls out the Confluence Project
In 2017, the Green River Watershed Alliance (GRWA) was formed with the support of the WRC and through a Watershed Resilience grant from the High Meadows Fund, to be a "community-led voice for the stewardship and protection of the Green River and its surrounding landscape." It aims to bring together residents from Marlboro, Halifax, and Guilford so they may establish the importance of their river, learn about its systems, and create watershed identity and a sense of place. One of the ways it plans to do this is through the Confluence Project, a collaborative effort between the WRC, Vermont Performance Lab, and three area schools.
From the Director, Spring 2018 - Beginning the Update of the Windham Regional Plan
An update of the Windham Regional Plan is getting underway. We invite everyone to read the current regional plan, the Windham Regional Transportation Plan, and even the just-adopted Regional Energy Plan to let us know what you feel could be improved. Are the underlying assumptions about existing and future conditions valid? Are the goals and objectives for the future of the region the right ones? Do the current policies get us to where we want to be? Have those policies been effective? What specific actions can the Commission take to move the region forward per the direction of the plan? The Committees of the WRC will be discussing these questions and more over the coming 6 months. Everyone's input is welcome!
WRC’s Pedestrian Count Data Now Available Online
WRC has performed over 90 pedestrian counts at over 30 different locations since 2014, on sidewalks, multi-use pathways, and trails throughout the Region. We’ve now made all that data available to the public via an on-line map.
WRC Formalizes the Clean Water Advisory Committee
Since the passing of Act 64, Vermont's Clean Water Act (VCWA), in 2015, the State as a whole has effectively adopted its "all-in" approach to water quality efforts. Directly relevant to regional planning commissions, the VCWA states that, "...if funding is available, ANR shall contract with regional planning commissions to produce or assist in producing basin plans." While this assistance is mandated with the passing of this legislation, the WRC has independently enjoyed a long-standing working relationship with its respective DEC Basin Planner, Marie Caduto. In partnership with the DEC, the WRC's Natural Resources Committee has led efforts to assist in drafting the Tactical Basin Plans (or, a large watershed-scale planning document that identifies priority water quality projects in a basin), providing outreach to affected municipalities, and help prioritize projects based in part on local needs and interests. All this work related to Basin Planning, water quality outreach, and project implementation had been done through the existing Clean Water Advisory Committee (CWAC), which is an extension of the Natural Resources Committee.
Algiers Village Explores Living Community Challenge Master Planning
On Wednesday, August 16th , four community non-profit organizations based in Guilford hosted a community meeting at the Guilford Community Church to start a dialogue about what people envision for the future of Algiers Village. Those organizations are the Friends of Algiers Village, Community Collaborative for Guilford, Guilford Preservation, Inc, and the Guilford Community Church; and they have taken on the role of proactively planning the Village.
WRC Planners Attend 2017 Leahy Summit with Green River Project Partners
The 2017 Leahy Summit was hosted at the ECHO Center in Burlington, on March 24-25. The intent of the meeting was to bring together project groups and partners that have a watershed resilience-related project idea that they'd like to pursue. The two-day meeting was primarily a working session, as attending project partners were facilitated through a series of exercises that encouraged the teams to reflect on their goals, identify community needs, and begin to develop an action plan for carrying out their projects and to have a plan with which they can receive funding.
Notes from VCDA's Meeting on Trails and Economic Development
On May 10, 2017, WRC's GIS Planner Jeff Nugent headed north to Burke Mountain to attend the Vermont Community Development Association’s spring meeting. The topic was Blazing A Trail: The Economic Impact and Future of Vermont’s Trails & Recreation Paths. With over 100 people in attendance, the energy and excitement around this topic was plapable. For those that could not attend, here are Jeff's notes from the meeting.
WRC Welcomes Two New Staff Members
Windham Regional Commission recently hired two new staff members, Emily Davis and Erica Roper, to work in the areas of water quality, GIS, and transportation.
WRC Staff Begin Road Erosion Inventories
In October, work began in Weston and Stratton to help towns come into compliance with Act 64, Vermont's Clean Water Act. WRC staff Jeff Nugent and Emily Davis identified road erosion locations that would impact water quality, and road segments that would not meet new road standards being developed under Act 64. The results will be used by towns to prioritize improvements to mitigate road erosion issues specifically relating to water quality. VTrans's Better Roads program provides funding for both inventory efforts and road and infrastructure improvements.
RiverSmart Communities Report Available
The RiverSmart Communities program at UMass Amherst has released a report "Supporting New England Communities to Become RiverSmart: Policies and Programs That Can Help New England Towns Thrive Despite River Floods." The result of work with numerous partners in MA and VT, the report combines social and river science, institutional and policy research, and community outreach to research and address river floods in New England.
Sale of TransCanada Hydropower Facilities on the Connecticut and Deerfield Rivers, updated 11/9/2016
When TransCanada announced its intent to sell its holdings in New England, including its holdings on the Connecticut and Deerfield Rivers, we understood this was an important issue for 12 of our 27 towns where TransCanada owns property and has flowage rights: Brattleboro, Dummerston, Putney, Readsboro, Rockingham, Searsburg, Somerset, Stratton, Westminster, Whitingham, Wilmington and Vernon.
Saxtons River Watershed Collaborative Looks Forward to Future Projects
The Saxtons River Watershed Collaborative, comprised of members from groups, schools, town officials, and organizations within the watershed, along with the Windham Regional Commission, met at the beginning of September to update the team of project developments. The group has been funded by the High Meadows Fund to create and foster a watershed identity throughout the towns and communities along the river. The collaborative has worked on several flood resiliency projects including planting 1,360 trees, pursuing 6 conservation easements on river corridor properties, and setting up an educational center. Since the group last met, the educational center has found a home in the Retreat Farms in Brattleboro.
MOOver's Ribbon Cutting for Its New Home!
The MOOver division of Southeast Vermont Transit (formerly Deerfield Valley Transit Association) marked the grand opening of the new transportation facility on November 17, 2015. The Wilmington facility opened in stages, with the final landscaping, paving, and site work completed in late October. The last section of the Riverwalk connecting downtown Wilmington to Lake Whitingham on the MOOver's property was completed October 29th as part of this project.
Guilford Apartments Wins National Award at EPA Brownfields Conference!
The Phoenix Awards Institute, Inc. presented Algiers Village Housing, a 17-unit affordable housing development in Guilford, with an award for outstanding achievement in the redevelopment of a Brownfield site. The award was presented on September 3 in Chicago as part of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's major national Brownfields conference on environmental revitalization and economic development.
Vt. Economic Resiliency Initiative (VERI) Brattleboro Report Released
Over the past year, the Vermont Economic Resiliency Initiative (VERI) has been working with five communities to examine flood resiliency and look at ways businesses can help prepare for, and quickly recover from, the next disaster. A major product of that work is a recently-released report for Brattleboro, outlining municipal policy and program recommendations, high-priority site-specific projects to improve channel and floodplain, infrastructure, and public safety, and next steps for the community.
Saxtons River Watershed Collaborative Receives $32,000 Grant to Address Flood Resiliency
Flooding is, by far, the most costly and devastating natural disaster that the State of Vermont has experienced in recent history and the Saxtons River is no exception. Significant flood events in the Saxtons River occurred in 1927, 1936, 1938, 1973, 1996 and 2011. Scientists project that the northeast may see an increase in the frequency and intensity of storms, which could result in an increase in flood events. These conditions require that we creatively, collaboratively, and actively explore new ways of addressing flood resiliency..
EPA Awards Brownfields Funds for Two Windham Region Projects
EPA recently announced the award of more than $17.48 million in Brownfield grants to municipalities and organizations working to protect people’s health by assessing and cleaning up contaminated parcels in New England communities. In the Windham Region, EPA is awarding $475,000 clean up grants were awarded for two projects in Rockingham.
Connecticut River Bikeway Routes Map Released
Are you looking for suggestions on bike rides in the Tri-State region this summer? The recently-released map of bikeway routes along the Connecticut River Scenic Byway can help you out. The map covers parts of three states and shows bike routes from Putney, VT and Walpole, NH in the north to Easthampton and South Hadley, MA in the south.
Brattleboro Area Farmers Market Receives Grant from WRC
The Brattleboro Area Farmers Market (BAFM) received a $35,000 grant on May 18, 2015 through the Windham Regional Commission Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund. BAFM will use the funds from the WRC to remediate contamination on the former Planet Gas site, located at 70 Western Avenue in Brattleboro..
Governor Speaks at WRC's 50 Year Celebration
On Tuesday, June 23rd the WRC celebrated its 50th anniversary with a gathering of current and past Commissioners and staff, elected officials, state agencies, and many other friends overlooking the Connecticut River Valley from the vantage point of the School for International Training in Dummerston. The warm and humid evening didn't dampen the energy among the approximately 150 people in attendance, and the threatening storms skirted north and south of the gathering.
New Local Emergency Plan Appendix Developed for Animal Planning
LEPC-6, at their April meeting, hosted the newly forming Windham Disaster Animal Response Team (DART) along with Joanne Bourbeau, the Northeastern Director of the Humane Society of the United States and the Vermont DART statewide Chair. What came out of that meeting was a desire for Emergency Planner and LEPC-6 Secretary, Alyssa Sabetto, to develop a an animal planning element to be included as part of the Local Emergency Operations Plan (LEOP) that gets updated yearly by towns.
"Get to Know the WRC" Video Unveiled at 50th Anniversary Celebration
An epic cinematic debut! Get to know the Windham Regional Commission. We unveiled this 5 minute video at our 50th anniversary celebration. Please share it. Thank you to Mondo Mediaworks for their great job on this video, and to the Windham Foundation for underwriting the effort.
Bees, Bats and Habitats Forum a Success!
News articles about our bee and bat populations in the last decade repeatedly emphasize the staggering losses of these populations and the many perils that have caused them: habitat loss, disease, pesticide use impacting bee populations, white-nose syndrome decimating bat populations, and the list goes on. On Friday, June 12, over 55 members of the public, from throughout the Windham Region, attended a forum entitled "Bees, Bats, and Habitats," at the Marlboro College Graduate School in Brattleboro, VT.
WRC Releases Forest Stewardship Report
Do you know what threats, both global and local, face our forests and our forest economy? Are you concerned that climate change and invasive species could change the composition of forests as we know them? Is Windham County really the “Timber Capital of Vermont?” The Windham Regional Commission’s recently-released report, “Landscape Based Forest Stewardship,” provides insight into topics such as these, including what strategies exist to preserve the region’s forestlands.
Highlights from the Emerald Ash Borer Workshop
Just ask the hundreds of communities that have already experienced the arrival of the exotic emerald ash borer (EAB): despite their small size, this iridescent green insect can have devastating impacts to our forests. Within a 6 to 12-year time period, the EAB can cause nearly 100% mortality of ash trees (which is one of the 10 most common trees in Vermont), leading to significant risk to public and private infrastructure, public safety, and our forest communities. Unfortunately, the burden of dealing with the impacts of the EAB falls heavily upon municipalities, utility companies, and landowners.
Study of Economic Impacts to Tri-County Area Due to Vermont Yankee Closure is Released
On December 29, 2014, the Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Station (VY) will no longer operate as an energy production facility. When fully operational, the facility had over 600 workers, most living in Windham County, VT; Cheshire County, NH; and Franklin County, MA. For over 40 years, VY has been an important component of this region’s economy. So what is the magnitude of economic impact to our tri-state region due to the discontinuing of operations and decommissioning of VY, especially the loss of local income? This is a question that four regional economic development planning organizations are seeking to answer. These organizations are: the Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation, the Franklin Regional Council of Governments, the Southwest Regional Planning Commission, and the Windham Regional Commission. A study completed by the University of Massachusetts’ Donahue Institute that begins to provide some insight can be found here: UMDI Study of Economic Impacts of VY Closure.
The Windham Regional Plan is Approved!
We are pleased to announce that the Windham Regional Plan was approved by a unanimous vote on September 30, 2014 during the meeting of the Windham Regional Commission. This concludes our regional plan update process that began in October 2012. We wish to extend our gratitude to everyone who participated in this effort.
Vermont Economic Resiliency Initiative Brattleboro Community: Building Flood Resiliency
By some estimates, at least a quarter of businesses never reopen after a disaster. The Vermont Economic Resiliency Initiative, or VERI, is hoping to lower that number, by working with five towns in Vermont, including Brattleboro. The goal is to help businesses affected by a future disaster to “bounce back, not break.” The first public forum for Brattleboro was held October 15, 2014. We'll be posting a summary of that forum soon.
Downtown and Village Revitalization Website is Launched!
A new website has been launched to assist southern Vermont communities with downtown and village center revitalization. This website provides a toolkit of information and resources to help communities build vibrancy and economic resiliency. Among the resources are links to useful guides and information, implementation strategies, funding sources, case studies, and government and non-profit entities that offer additional information
Shared Municipal Services
This past summer thanks to our wonderful intern, Emily Wilson, the WRC began to explore potential shared municipal services and inter-municipal cooperation opportunities among our towns, and what role the WRC might play.
WRC Awards Brownfields Funding to Deerfield Valley Transit Association
In June, Windham Regional Commission signed an agreement with Deerfield Valley Transit Association (DVTA) for a loan/grant combination for $171,500 for brownfields clean up at the former Barnboard site in Wilmington. DVTA is the operator of a community transit system for the area around the Deerfield Valley and is known for their trademark buses with a Holstein motif. The grant is being used for the remediation of the Barnboard site as part of the construction of their new facility.
Recent Regional Highway Safety Forum a Success
On May 12, 2014, Chip Sterns, Town Manager, Rockingham, welcomed 50 attendees to the Rockingham Town Hall and the first Regional Highway Safety Forum in the Windham region. The all day event was presented by the Vermont Highway Safety Alliance (http://highwaysafety.vermont.gov/ ) and hosted by WRC and Southern Windsor County RPC. It provided an opportunity to learn about the resources and partners available to individuals and communities as they strive towards safety for all highway users.
EPA Awards Brownfields Funds for Two Windham Region Projects
EPA recently announced the award of more than $17.48 million in Brownfield grants to municipalities and organizations working to protect people’s health by assessing and cleaning up contaminated parcels in New England communities. In the Windham Region, EPA is awarding $475,000 clean up grants were awarded for two projects in Rockingham.
WRC Hires New Planner
The WRC is pleased to announce that Alyssa Sabetto will be joining our staff as a planner beginning June 2nd. Alyssa has a B.S. in Community and Regional Planning with a minor in Environmental Studies from Temple University Ambler and an M.S. in Environmental Management/Organizational Development and Leadership from Shippensburg University.
Main Street Arts Receives Brownfields Clean Up Grant from WRC
In April 2014 Windham Regional Commission signed an agreement with Main Street Arts (MSA), a non-profit community arts center located in Saxtons River, to grant the organization $133,658 for Brownfields clean up. The grant is being used for the remediation of their adjoining site (33 Main Street) to allow them to make their existing building handicapped accessible.
Speaker and State Treasurer Meet With WRC Commissioners and Energy Coordinators
Our conference room was bustling on February 24th as nearly 20 members from the WRC’s Energy Committee, Public Policy and Legislative Committee, and Town Energy Coordinators gathered to speak with Vermont Speaker of the House Shap Smith and State Treasurer Beth Pearce. The Speaker and State Treasurer each had other engagements in Brattleboro later in the evening, but generously arrived early to hear from constituents on energy issues and related policy. This opportunity was organized by Betty Frye, resident of Guilford, who was hosting the Speaker at a meeting afterward.
Local Emergency Operations Plans – New Format for 2014
Formerly referred to as Rapid Response Plans (RRP), and then Basic Emergency Operations Plans (BEOP), all towns are now required to prepared Local Emergency Operations Plans (LEOP) following a new format. Vermont statute requires every city and town to have an emergency operations plan on file at the Vermont Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (DEMHS). Adoption of an LEOP is one element of the new Emergency Relief and Assistance Fund (ERAF) Rule, which goes into effect on October 23, 2014. The Emergency Relief and Assistance Fund provide State funding to match Federal Public Assistance after federally-declared disasters.
WRC’s New Hire to Help with Village and Downtown Resiliency Planning
Kim Smith, a recent graduate of Conway School with a M.A. in Landscape Design, was recently hired to help us with village and downtown resiliency planning supported by the Economic Development Administration (EDA) Disaster Recovery Grant. Kim’s prime focus at Windham Regional Commission is working with staff on village revitalization plans. Prior to graduate school Kim worked as a biologist in California on a bald eagle reintroduction project. Other areas of interest include gardening, sustainability and permaculture.
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