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The Two Rivers-Ottauquechee Regional Commission hosts meetings and workshops on a regular basis. In addition we occasionally publish project related requests for proposal. Below is a listing of those events, as well as any RFPs or Grant opportunities available to our member towns. We urge you to check this section of our site for regular updates on what is going on with TRORC and our partners.

Last Updated: 5/21/13

TRORC News

 

Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) 5th Round

The State of Vermont has received an extension from FEMA for the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) in connection with Tropical Storm Irene.  

The Vermont Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (DEMHS) is now accepting HMGP applications from towns and agencies in all Vermont counties in connection with the most recent disasters. The HMGP program is funded through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and is administered by the VT Division of Emergency Management & Homeland Security.   Federal funds are available to cover up to 75% of project costs.  Applicants are responsible for the 25% local match requirement. 
   
We encourage you to identify potential hazard mitigation sites in your communities and apply for funds under the HMGP grant program.  Typical hazard mitigation projects would include: repair and mitigation of local roads and bridges, home or property acquisition (buy-out), structural elevations or relocations, replacement of undersized culverts, remediation of stream bank erosion, flood proofing of municipal buildings, etc.   This is an opportunity for repetitive loss structures, businesses, and other buildings located in the 100-year flood plain to consider elevation, relocation or acquisition.  Project proposals need not be directly connected to flooding from the most recent declared disasters.  Towns may also apply for a grant to develop a local hazard mitigation plan or mitigation initiative projects. 

You may download the HMGP application from our agency’s website at www.vem.vermont.gov or you may contact the State Hazard Mitigation Officer for an application.   On DEMHS’ website, first go to the Mitigation Tab, and then click on HMGP Application and Forms.

Please note the following FEMA eligibility requirements:

1)  Communities must have a FEMA approved and adopted local mitigation plan no later than the date that funds are awarded.  Those towns lacking an approved plan should contact their local Regional Planning Commission for assistance.

2)  Communities must be participating in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), if a special flood hazard area (SFHA) has been identified in the community.   Please contact the Agency of Natural Resources state floodplain coordinator, Rob Evans, for additional information on applying for NFIP membership:  tel (802) 490-6152 or via email at rob.evans@state.vt.us

The application must be completed in full, including maps, list of alternative proposals, engineering plans, hydrology studies (if needed) and a full benefit-cost analysis (BCA) in the FEMA approved format.  If you need help in completing the BCA, you may contact your local Regional Planning Commission.  Some BCA assistance may be available from DEMHS mitigation staff if you make a prior appointment. 

Deadline for 5th Round HMGP applications:   Friday, July 12, 2013.  

If you wish to apply for an HMGP grant, please submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) to DEMHS by June 7.   The LOI should include a brief description of your proposal and the total estimated cost of your project.  Please indicate if you’ll need assistance in completing the application or benefit cost analysis. 

   Please submit LOIs and completed applications to:

            Ray Doherty, State Hazard Mitigation Officer
            VT Division of Emergency Management & Homeland Security
            103 South Main Street
            Waterbury, VT  05671
Tel (802) 241-5258 (office)
            Email:  ray.doherty@state.vt.us

 

Gov. Shumlin: Homeowners Complete Home Buyout Process

MONTPELIER – Gov. Peter Shumlin announced today that more than a year-and-a-half after they watched their homes destroyed by the floodwaters of Tropical Storm Irene and other floods in 2011, three families have closed on the sale of their properties as part of the FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), completing the home buyout process.  The three -- two from Bethel and one from Bolton -- are the first to complete the HMGP process and receive compensation for their washed out homes.  HMGP provides federal funds for towns to buy properties in flood-prone areas to avoid future damage.

“These buyouts are one way that we are enabling homeowners to get a fresh start, while also getting structures out of harm’s way from the future flooding that has become more likely in our climate change world,” said Gov. Shumlin. “Although there has been a frustratingly long wait for the buyouts to begin, we have worked in partnership with FEMA to make this timeline much shorter than is typical of the HMGP program.”

Federal disaster declarations from flooding events in 2011 made the funds available for communities to take steps to avoid future damage through infrastructure improvements and home buyouts, among other projects.  A Vermont selection committee approved the first batch of applications in February of 2012, and FEMA signed off on the projects and buyouts late last year.  A total of 92 property home buyouts in more than two-dozen communities have received final approval for a buyout to date.

“This has been a long process,” Vermont Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security Director Joe Flynn said.  “Our mitigation staff at DEMHS has been working hard to shepherd applications through the federal system and their hard work is now bearing fruit.”

FEMA federal funds provide 75 percent of the purchase of homes, and the state of Vermont provides the remaining 25 percent with Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery funds through the Agency of Commerce and Community Development (thanks to the U.S. Housing and Urban Development’s Community Development Block Grants and funds from the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board).  The 25 percent match is being made available to communities through the Two Rivers Ottauquechee Regional Commission, which is administering the funding.  The funds are awarded to communities and then used to purchase the homes at fair market value.

"We are pleased to be able to provide $2 million as part of the state match for the federal funds, said Gus Seelig, Executive Director of VHCB.  “This will assist those who have lost their homes in finding new accommodations and, in appropriate cases, will provide towns with additional public access to Vermont's rivers."

Peter Gregory, TRORC’s Executive Director, praised those involved. "The state, the town, VHCB and our staff have all worked together to make these buyouts, the first of many to come, happen. We are very glad to be able to close at least one small chapter of the continuing story of Irene recovery in a way that precludes such future damage and provides the landowners with the best outcome we think possible," he said.

More than $13 million in federal funds have been allocated for home buyouts in Vermont.  Buyouts on other homes are nearing completion and more closings are expected soon.  Closings are anticipated to take place slowly but regularly over the course of the next several months.  Persons with questions as to where their individual project stands can contact Two Rivers-Ottauquechee Regional Commission at 802-457-3188.

 

Comment Letter and Study Proposals for the Relicensing of the Wilder Hydroelectric Dam are now Available

TRORC recently provided comments and submitted study requests with local community input regarding the TransCanada’s application to relicense the Wilder dam, Project No. 1892-026.

The document is available for download below.

Comment Letter and Proposals- File Size: 242 KB -Download File

For any questions, please contact Samantha Holcomb at sholcomb@trorc.org or 802-457-3188.

 

Adopted Town Plan Now Required to Access Community Development Block Grant Funding

The Vermont Community Development Program which manages Vermont's allocation of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding, has recently changed the application requirements for communities that apply for funding.  It is now mandatory that any community seeking CDBG funding have a locally adopted Town Plan.  Any municipality that seeks CDBG funding for economic development, public works, housing, etc. should pay careful attention to the status of their Town Plan. If your Plan has expired, you will not be eligible for these funds until it is formally readopted. 

If your community needs assistance revising your Town Plan, or you have questions regarding the CDBG program, please contact Chris Sargent.

 

Municipal Planning Grants Awarded to the TRORC Region.

Project Details

Town of Bethel ‐ Municipal Plan Update
State Funds Awarded: $7,954
Local Contact: Chris Sargent csargent@trorc.org
The Town of Bethel will update their Town Plan in order to be consistent with state planning goals and the Two Rivers‐Ottauquechee Regional Plan.

Town of Braintree ‐ Infrastructure Planning
State Funds Awarded (Partial Funding): $4,054
Local Contact: Chris Sargent csargent@trorc.org
The Town of Braintree will create a capital program and budget to be consistent with the Town Plan and state planning goals.

Town of Bridgewater ‐ Municipal Plan Update
State Funds Awarded $7,052
Local Contact: Chris Sargent csargent@trorc.org
The Town of Bridgewater will update their Town Plan in order to make it consistent with state planning goals and the Two Rivers‐Ottauquechee Regional Plan.

Town of Fairlee ‐ Municipal Plan Update
State Funds Awarded: $7,954
Local Contact: Chris Sargent csargent@trorc.org
The Town of Fairlee will update their Town Plan in order to make it consistent with state planning goals and the Two Rivers‐Ottauquechee Regional Plan

Town of Pittsfield ‐ Zoning and/or Subdivision Bylaw Update
State Funds Awarded $4,138
Local Contact: Patricia Haskins townofpittsfield@myfairpoint.net
The Town of Pittsfield will create a river corridor plan that addresses flood protection and develop plans for the initial buyout of properties.

Town of Plymouth ‐ Zoning and/or Subdivision Bylaw Update
State Funds Awarded: $8,000
Local Contact: Pete Fellows pfellows@trorc.org
The Town of Plymouth will conduct river corridor hazard mapping and update its bylaws to improve flood protection.

Town of Pomfret ‐ Municipal Plan Update
State Funds Awarded $7,954
Local Contact: Andrew Mann pomfretclerk@vermontel.net
The Town of Pomfret will update their Town Plan in order to make it consistent with state planning goals and the Two Rivers‐Ottauquechee Regional Plan.

The full list of grantees is available here:

MPGAwardListFY13.pdf - File Size: 224KB -Download File

 

Regional News

 

The Route 100 Byway Expansion Has Been Approved!

Two years after the Scenic Route 100 Byway was established, the effort to expand the Byway north and south along RT100 to include an additional 14 towns has been completed. Today, April 19, 2013, the Vermont Transportation Board formally approved the Scenic Route 100 Byway expansion to now encompass 20 towns: Granville, Hancock, Rochester, Stockbridge, Pittsfield, Killington, Bridgewater, Plymouth, Ludlow, Andover, Cavendish, Weston, Londonderry, Jamaica, Wardsboro, Stratton, Dover, Wilmington, Whitingham and Stamford.

This is now Vermont’s second largest Byway at 138 miles, behind the Connecticut River Byway, crisscrossing along the spine of the Green Mountains from the Mad River Byway to the Massachusetts’s border. This has been a wonderful grassroots effort resulting from the joint partnerships of town representatives, various Chambers of Commerce, Regional Planning Commissions, and supportive businesses along Route 100.

For more information about the Byway see www.ScenicRoute100Byway.com and for Vermont’s Byways see www.vermont-byways.us

Meetings/Workshops/Trainings

 

White River Tactical Plan Public Meeting Notice

Vermont Dept. of Environmental Conservation Schedules Public Comment Meetings for the Draft White River Basin Tactical Water Quality Management Plan—
A series of public comment meetings will be held in May to gather feedback on the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources’ Draft White River Basin Tactical Water Quality Management Plan. The public is encouraged to attend the meetings, hear a presentation and offer their comments and suggestions. Meetings will take place from 6:00 to 7:30 pm in the following locations:

Date: May 30, 2013
Location: US Forest Service Conference Room,99 Ranger Road Rochester
Time: 6:00pm-7:30pm

Date: June 5, 2013
Location: Sharon Town Offices, 69 Route 132 Sharon
Time: 6:00pm-7:30pm

Date: June 6, 2013
Location: Bethel Town Offices, 134 South Main Street
Time: 6:00pm-7:30pm

Offical Press Release - File Size: 161 KB -Download File
Full White River Tactical Plan - -http://www.vtwaterquality.org/planning/docs

 

Downtown and Historic Preservation Conference
Presented by: Department of Housing and Community Development & the Preservation Trust of Vermont

Conference Highlights include:
Keynote Speaker & Expert in Downtown Revitalization, David Feehan
Over 12 Educational Sessions/Tours on a Wide Range of Topics
AICP Certification Maintenance Credits Offered (pending)

See Conference Website for Complete Agenda.
 

Register NOW - Early Bird Registration Deadline
Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Date: Friday, June 7, 2013
Location: Barre Opera House, Downtown Barre Vermont
Time: 9:00am-4:30pm

 

Calvin Coolidge Memorial Foundation Announces 2013 Coolidge Institute Speaker Series.

The Calvin Coolidge Memorial Foundation is pleased to announce the schedule for its 2013 Coolidge Institute Speaker Series. Beginning with an event April 30th, and continuing through August, the series will feature national and regional public policy, media, and thought leaders speaking on topics related to the ideals and legacy of our 30th President. As part of its overall commitment to civic education, the Coolidge Foundation’s efforts emanate from Coolidge’s birthplace in Plymouth Notch, which is the site of its classroom activities, and is extended to the nation at large through its institute speaker series.

• April 30th, Amity Shlaes, economic historian and bestselling author of The Forgotten Man, and this year’s bestseller, Coolidge, and George H. Nash, Hoover biographer, discussing the Coolidge Presidency, Hanover Inn, Dartmouth College, 5:30-7:30pm.

• May 28th, former Governors Jim Douglas of Vermont and John Lynch of New Hampshire, discussing civility in politics, Hanover Inn, Dartmouth College, 5:30-7:30pm.

• June 15th, David Pietrusza, author of Calvin Coolidge: A Documentary Biography, discussing Grace Coolidge, First lady of Baseball, Plymouth Notch, VT, 2-3:30pm.

• July 18th, panel discussion with Cal Thomas (Fox), Chris Graff (formerly AP), Jane Lindholm (VPR) and Sarah Ashworth (NHPR), discussing the media’s role in civil, public discourse, Hanover Inn, Dartmouth College, 5:30-7:30pm.

• August 2nd, Brian Lamb, Chairman Emeritus and founder of C-SPAN, discussing C-SPAN’s role in civic education, at the Bush Institute/Coolidge Foundation high school debate regional finals, Plymouth Notch, VT, 5:00-8:00PM (Gala Event, tickets required).

The events are open to the public. For further information call 802-672-3389, or visit us on the web at calvin-coolidge.org, or on Facebook.

 

Vermont Economic Development Summit

Please join us for this important kick-off to the creation of a statewide economic development strategy—
Make your voice heard by participating in this gathering of Vermont's leading business minds for a day of panel discussions and breakout sessions on the opportunities and challenges of doing business in Vermont.

Date: Monday, June 3, 2013
Location: Paramount Theatre, Rutland
Time: 9:00am-4:00pm

 

TRORC Trainings for Municipal Officials

The Two Rivers-Ottauquechee Regional Commission (TRORC) is pleased to offer the following trainings (see download below), to our member towns. These trainings are organized under the following categories:

  • Land Use Planning
  • River Management & Flooding
  • Natural Resources & Conservation
  • Transportation
  • Data Collection & Mapping
  • Emergency Management

We will strive to offer these trainings to our member towns for free. If you are interested in scheduling a training, please contact our staff by e-mail (training@trorc.org) or by phone (802-457-3188).

Trainings for Municipal Officials - TRORC - 5.6.2013.pdf - File Size: 683KB -Download File

 

Next Transportation Advisory Committee Meeting (TAC)

Date: TBD
Location: -
Time: -

Next LEPC #12 Meeting

Date: 6/20/13
Location: Bethel Highschool/ GW Plastics
Time: 6-8pm
Meeting Agenda: -

Next Orange/Windsor County Road Foreman Meeting

Date: 6/19/13
Location: Strafford Town Garage
Time: 9:30-12pm
Meeting Agenda: Agenda_6_19_13.pdf -Download File

TRORC Board & Committee Meetings

Next TRORC Board Meeting

Date: Wednesday May 22, 2013
Location: The King Farm
Time: 7:00pm-8:30pm

TRORC Annual Meeting

Date: Wednesday June 26, 2013
Location: The King Farm
Time: Social Hour: 5:00pm
Business Meeting: 7:30pm

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Grant Opportunities/Deadlines

Tiny Grants for Conservation!

The Association of Vermont Conservation Commissions (AVCC) is now accepting applications for its Tiny Grants program through June 15, 2013. Awards will be made in the amount of $250 - $600 to Conservation Commissions or other local groups/committees that would like to become a Conservation Commission and partner of AVCC. Projects should further these goals:

“To assist local committees/groups to become Conservation Commission

To increase the functioning capacity of existing Conservation Commissions, and

To provide seed money and/or matching funds for specific projects in the broad categories of land conservation, education and outreach, stewardship and management, and planning.”

To learn more, download the information sheet and application below. Please direct any questions to AVCC Board Member, Karen Freeman (kfreeman@vhcb.org).

Application Deadline: June 15, 2013.

AVCC_grant_App+infosheet: 180 KB -Download File

 

The 2013 VTrans Bike Ped Grant is Now Available

VTrans is conducting a mandatory training for potential applicants on two different dates: Monday June 3rd (1-3 PM) and Wednesday, June 5th (6-8 PM). The training will review the application process and program
requirements. Attendance at these workshops is mandatory for any entity planning to apply this year. To view workshop dates please see the application below.

For more infromation please contact Rita Seto: rseto@trorc.org

The application and offical announcement are available for download below.

2013 Announcement letter- File Size: 180 KB -Download File
2013 BikePedProgramApplication- File Size: 1.75 MB -Download File

 

Employment Opportunities

There are no employment opportunities at this time.

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Requests for Proposal

The Two Rivers-Ottauquechee Regional Commission on behalf of the Consortium for a Sustainable East Central Vermont Region is accepting proposals to formulate a Strategic Plan for Rural Economic Development. This strategy will inform and support the East Central Vermont (ECV) Regional Sustainability Plan.

The full RFP is available for download below.

ECV_ED_RFP_5-22-13: 995 KB -Download File
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