News and Events
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: 1/30/12
News
TRORC Receives 2011 HUD Sustainable Communities Grant
Two Rivers-Ottauquechee Regional Commission was recently awarded $540,000 in an economic development regional planning grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The grant is among only a few dozen regional planning projects approved by HUD nationwide. TRORC will address issues related to housing, transportation, public utilities, natural resources and energy use in the 40 Vermont towns served by the commission and by the Southern Windsor County Regional Planning Commission. The aim of the projects funded by the grant will be to reduce energy use and foster economic opportunities in the region.
Peter Gregory declared: “The resiliency of this region continually gets tested as natural disasters hit, energy prices climb, safe and affordable housing becomes more challenging to find, and the economy transitions. This funding will enable many stakeholders to have the opportunity to develop a framework that allows for a strengthening of our physical and social wellbeing for the long term. We are very pleased to have been recognized nationally as an important area in which to invest.” TRORC as the lead, will partner with over 40 local, regional and state organizations that will make up the Consortium for a Sustainable East Central Vermont Region (CSECVR).
In an earlier letter of support for TRORC’s application, Senator Patrick Leahy (D), Senator Bernie Sanders (I) and Congressman Peter Welch (D) said the roadmap the grant will make possible “will help guide local, regional, and state policymaking to support smart growth as well as invest in a sustainable future for the people of Vermont.”
TRORC Executive Director, Peter Gregory, Elected Second Vice President of NADO
Peter Gregory, Executive Director of the Two River-Ottauquechee Regional Commission in Woodstock, Vermont was elected Second Vice President of the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) on October 11, 2011 at the association's Annual Business Meeting. The meeting was held in conjunction with NADO's 44th Annual Training Conference in Miami, Florida.
Gregory has been on the staff of the Two Rivers-Ottauquechee Regional Commission since 1989 serving as executive director since 1997. Gregory currently serves as Chair of the Vermont Association of Planning and Development Agencies, the statewide association of Vermont's 11 regional planning agencies; is a member of the Vermont State Infrastructure Bank, currently serving as Chair. Gregory is also a member of the Vermont Downtown Board, the entity that makes decisions on downtown and growth center designations under Vermont law.
"We are honored to have Peter Gregory serve as Second Vice President of NADO. He brings a wealth of expertise, knowledge and leadership on regional community and economic development issues to the national level," stated Matthew Chase, NADO Executive Director. "Most importantly, he is focused on helping our nation's local communities pursue comprehensive regional strategies for remaining economically competitive in today's rapidly changing global environment."
For more information about NADO use the link below.
http://www.nado.org/ - Open in New Window
TRORC Receives Ottauquechee Stream Assessment Grant
TRORC is pleased to announce the award of grant funding from the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources River Management Program to conduct a Phase 1 and 2 Stream Geomorphic Assessment (SGA) in the Ottauquechee River basin. The Ottauquechee is one of the last major river basins in Vermont that has not yet received an SGA, and this is a long-standing priority of the Regional Commission.
In the fall of 2011, we will issue a Request for Proposals and hire a consultant to conduct a Phase 2 Stream Geomorphic Assessment on approximately 20 reaches of the Ottauquechee River and major tributaries. Field work will be done in the fall, continuing into the field season of 2012, and a River Corridor Plan is scheduled for completion by April 2013. Contact Pete Fellows at 457-3188 for more information.
Ecological and Natural Resources Training Program
TRORC developed an Ecological and Natural Resources Training Program with 2009 funding from the Wellborn Ecology Fund. Managed by the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, the Wellborn Ecology Fund is dedicated to promoting awareness of environmental and ecological issues in the Upper Valley.
TRORC developed this program to help us educate volunteer board members and commissioners on natural systems so they may be better integrated in municipal planning and bylaw administration. Our program provides practical training on basic ecology and natural resources inventories, and helps town officers introduce conservation principles into municipal plans and bylaw implementation. Notes are included to aid in delivery of these presentations by other users and they are available in two Power Point formats to allow them to be customized.
By training town officials in the Two Rivers region to go beyond basic planning and proper administration of their bylaws, through local identification of natural resources and conservation planning, we hope to enable them to become citizen stewards.
Wellborn Resources List - Wellborn resource list.pdf - File Size: 232KB - Download File
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Meetings/Workshops/Trainings
Community Recovery Partnership Meetings
As part of Vermont's recovery from Tropical Storm Irene, Governor Shumlin's Community Recover Partnership is meeting with communities to discuss their current needs and future plans in order to better gauge the additional assistance needed to move forward. A series of regional public meetings (open to all from any community) have been organized in the TRORC Region.
For the communities of: Pittsfield, Stockbridge, Rochester, Granville, and Hancock
Date: January 30, 2012
Location: Rochester School
Meeting time: 3-6 pm, all welcome
For the communities of: Woodstock, Bridgewater, Hartford, Barnard, and Reading
Date: February 9, 2012
Location: Bridgewater Village School
Meeting time: 3-6 PM, all welcome
Fair Housing: Affordable Housing and Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing at the Local Level
Designed to provide relevant information to realtors, lenders, affordable housing developers, property managers, and municipal officials this workshop will:
- provide an introduction to Vermont and federal fair housing laws;
- discuss the current regulatory barriers to fair housing choice in Vermont;
- examine the legal requirements impacting municipal zoning practices;
- review available tools that enable municipalities to comply with those requirements; and
- explore planning concepts designed to encourage the development of affordable housing.
All municipalities receiving community development grants from the Vermont Community Development Program must complete a Fair Housing Training as a condition of funding. Any municipality dealing with issues such as affordable housing, group homes, residential care facilities, requests for accessibility modifications, or seeking VCDP funding, cannot afford to miss this workshop.
Presented by:
Ellen Maxon: Vermont Human Rights Commission (HRC)
Julie Kelliher: Vermont Department of Economic, Housing, & Community Development (VDEHCD)
Kevin Stapleton: CVOEO Fair Housing Project (FHP)
Date: Thursday, February 8th 2012
Time: 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Location: 31 North ParkSt., Woodstock, VT 05091 .
How to Register – Space is limited. Call Dani Fuoco, CVOEO Fair Housing Project, 802-864-3334 x 109 or email dfuoco@cvoeo.org
Next Transportation Advisory Committee Meeting
Date: Thursday February 9, 2012
Location: Woodstock Town Hall
Time: 9:30am to 11am
Next LEPC #12 Meeting
Date: Thursday February 16, 2012
Location: Royalton Barracks
Time: 6:00pm to 8:00pm
Please RSVP to Rita Seto.
Next TRORC Board Meeting
Date: Wednesday February 29, 2012
Location: The King Farm
Time: 7pm to 9pm
Next Orange/Windsor County Road Foreman Meeting
Date: TBD
Location: TBD
Time: 9:30am to 11am
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Grant Opportunities/Deadlines
Hazard Mitigation Grant Program
Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) grants are meant to address an issue at a site so that it does not get damaged in the next disaster. HMGP funds are created every time Vermont has a disaster. The grants are reviewed at the state level. Projects that lessen flood related damages, and do so in a manner that leaves waterways in as natural a state with as much room as possible, are the most likely to succeed. This grant program may be the best source of funding to address serious losses suffered by homeowners, but homeowners can't apply directly, only towns or non-profits.
HMGP grants require a 25% non-federal match and must pass a cost benefit test. For homes that have suffered "substantial damage" (more than 50% of the value), a cost benefit is not needed. TRORC can help towns fill out the forms and apply, but towns should be contacting property owners now that they think might qualify and be interested in participating. There are two rounds of HMGP grant applications, the deadlines are February 17th and March 16th.
For more information contact Kevin Geiger at kgeiger@trorc.org. A memo and sample forms is included for download below.
HMGPmemo101811.pdf - File Size: 134KB - Download File
There are two rounds of HMGP grant applications, the deadlines are February 17th and March 16th. Download the HMGP application here.
http://vem.vermont.gov/programs/mitigation/forms - Open in New Window
Go Vermont Grants for Local Energy Committees
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The VTrans Public Transit Section is offering grants to municipalities to assist in building a statewide outreach and advocacy network for the Go Vermont Program (www.connectingcommuters.org). Local Selectboards and Energy Committees are a logical partner in this effort as you can bring local credibility, energy, and innovation to the ongoing effort to expand the reach of the Go Vermont Program. Through a partnership with your local Regional Planning Commissions (RPCs), VTrans will provide a $500 grant to participating municipal energy committees. For more information, please see document below or call Ross MacDonald, Go Vermont Program Manager at 802.828.5577.
Go Vermont Energy Committee Letter.pdf - File Size: 174KB - Download File
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Employment Opportunities
There are no employment opportunities at this time.
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Requests for Proposal
There are no proposal opportunities at this time.
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Tel: 802-457-3188 | Fax: 802-457-4728 | General Email: info@trorc.org
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