TRORC Training Opportunities
TRORC offers a variety of in-person workshops, downloadable PowerPoint presentations, white papers and links to videos of presentations. If what you see here doesn’t meet your needs, please contact us.
We can also connect to a variety of partners for additional training on water quality, emergency management, forests and habitat, and road issues.
TRORC YouTube Channel with Training Videos
Land Use Planning
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Land Use Primer – An Overview
- An overview of land use planning and regulatory tools, including what they are and what they are not. This is aimed primarily at conveying a basic understanding of a town plan, zoning and subdivision bylaws, especially for towns without zoning.
- Audience: General Public, New Planning Commissioners, Others.
- Level: Beginner.
- Available:
- Land Use Primer White Paper
- Land Use Primer PowerPoint slides, or
- In-person.
- Contact: Kevin Geiger, Chief Planner – [email protected]
- An overview of land use planning and regulatory tools, including what they are and what they are not. This is aimed primarily at conveying a basic understanding of a town plan, zoning and subdivision bylaws, especially for towns without zoning.
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Essentials of Land Use Planning and Regulation
- A more detailed overview of how to develop comprehensive plans and regulatory tools. The workshop also includes implementation of regulations and making decisions. This is aimed primarily at conveying a basic understanding of a town plan, zoning and subdivision bylaws.
- Audience: Planning Commissioners and review boards.
- Level: Beginner-Intermediate.
- Available:
- Contact: Kevin Geiger, Chief Planner – [email protected]
- A more detailed overview of how to develop comprehensive plans and regulatory tools. The workshop also includes implementation of regulations and making decisions. This is aimed primarily at conveying a basic understanding of a town plan, zoning and subdivision bylaws.
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Permitting Decisions
- This workshop reviews the basic statutory requirements of making and writing permit decisions as well as more details as to how decisions actually get done. It is not specific to any particular approval process.
- Audience: Development Review Board, Planning Commission, Zoning Bylaw Administrator.
- Level: Intermediate.
- Available:
- White paper, or
- in-person.
- Contact: Kevin Geiger, Chief Planner – [email protected]
- This workshop reviews the basic statutory requirements of making and writing permit decisions as well as more details as to how decisions actually get done. It is not specific to any particular approval process.
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Subdivision Review
- This workshop gives an overview of the subdivision review process, and can be customized for your town’s bylaws. We’ll look at a proposed plat, decisions, bonding, and the use of standards during reviews.
- Audience: Development Review Board, Planning Commission, Zoning Bylaw Administrator.
- Level: Intermediate.
- Available in-person.
- Contact: Kevin Geiger, Chief Planner – [email protected]
- This workshop gives an overview of the subdivision review process, and can be customized for your town’s bylaws. We’ll look at a proposed plat, decisions, bonding, and the use of standards during reviews.
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Removing Barriers to Workforce Housing
- This training provides an overview of why workforce housing is an essential element of a healthy community, common impediments in town plans and bylaws to the production of moderate priced housing, regulatory incentives to create such housing, and plan policies that can be used in Act 250 to require desired residential construction.
- Audience: Planning Commission, Selectboard, Other.
- Level: Beginner/Intermediate.
- Available:
- Contact: Kevin Geiger, Chief Planner – [email protected]
- This training provides an overview of why workforce housing is an essential element of a healthy community, common impediments in town plans and bylaws to the production of moderate priced housing, regulatory incentives to create such housing, and plan policies that can be used in Act 250 to require desired residential construction.
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The Basics of a Capital Budget and Program
- This workshop provides an overview of the Capital Budget and Program (CB&P) which is authorized in State statute. TRORC’s staff will outline the purpose of a CB&P and provide guidance on how to link it with the Town Plan and policies. Examples of effective CB&Ps will be provided.
- Audience: Planning Commission, Selectboard, Budget Committee.
- Level: Intermediate.
- Available:
- Capital Budgeting Presentation-Revised Power Point slides, or
- In-person.
- Contact: Kevin Geiger, Chief Planner – [email protected]
- This workshop provides an overview of the Capital Budget and Program (CB&P) which is authorized in State statute. TRORC’s staff will outline the purpose of a CB&P and provide guidance on how to link it with the Town Plan and policies. Examples of effective CB&Ps will be provided.
River Management & Flooding
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Flood Plain Regulations For Real Estate Professionals
- This workshop is designed to familiarize real estate agents with local flood regulations, including where to find the regulations, how to read and interpret them, and what to do if the real estate agent believes a map is inaccurate. This workshop will also focus on the ways that flood regulations can impact a prospective landowners’ ability to develop a parcel, what kinds of additional flood risks might exist (but not be documented on official maps), and general information about the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
- Audience: Real Estate Professionals.
- Level: Beginner.
- Available in-person.
- Contact: Kevin Geiger, Chief Planner – [email protected]
- This workshop is designed to familiarize real estate agents with local flood regulations, including where to find the regulations, how to read and interpret them, and what to do if the real estate agent believes a map is inaccurate. This workshop will also focus on the ways that flood regulations can impact a prospective landowners’ ability to develop a parcel, what kinds of additional flood risks might exist (but not be documented on official maps), and general information about the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
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Flood Plain Regulations for Zoning Administrators
- This workshop is an in-depth, hands-on exploration of how to administer flood regulations. It also includes a review of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
- Audience: Zoning Bylaw Administrators or Administrative Officers, Selectboard.
- Level: Intermediate.
- Available in-person.
- Contact: Kevin Geiger, Chief Planner – [email protected]
- This workshop is an in-depth, hands-on exploration of how to administer flood regulations. It also includes a review of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
Natural Resources & Conservation
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Municipal Planning to Protect Natural Resources
- This workshop will focus on why natural resources are so important and how a community can develop a town plan with policies that serve to protect these as well as set the stage for later regulations. TRORC’s staff can make specific recommendations for plan updates. Audience: Planning Commission, Selectboard, Conservation Commission, Other. Level: Beginner/Intermediate. Available as PowerPoint slides or in-person.
- Audience: Planning Commission, Selectboard, Conservation Commission, Other.
- Level: Beginner/Intermediate.
- Available:
- Wellborn Bylaws and Ecosystem Protection PowerPoint Slides, or
- In-person.
- Contact: Kevin Geiger, Chief Planner – [email protected]
- This workshop will focus on why natural resources are so important and how a community can develop a town plan with policies that serve to protect these as well as set the stage for later regulations. TRORC’s staff can make specific recommendations for plan updates. Audience: Planning Commission, Selectboard, Conservation Commission, Other. Level: Beginner/Intermediate. Available as PowerPoint slides or in-person.
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Putting Ecological Considerations into Zoning and Subdivision Bylaws
- This workshop will focus on how a community can use subdivision regulations to best protect forests, wetlands, vernal pools, agricultural soils, floodplains, and surface water. TRORC’s staff can make specific recommendations for development review and bylaw updates. Audience: Planning Commission, Selectboard, Conservation Commission, Other. Level: Beginner/Intermediate. Available as PowerPoint slides or in-person.
- Audience: Development Review Board, Planning Commission, Conservation Commission, Selectboard.
- Level: Beginner/Intermediate.
- Available:
- Contact: Kevin Geiger, Chief Planner – [email protected]
- This workshop will focus on how a community can use subdivision regulations to best protect forests, wetlands, vernal pools, agricultural soils, floodplains, and surface water. TRORC’s staff can make specific recommendations for development review and bylaw updates. Audience: Planning Commission, Selectboard, Conservation Commission, Other. Level: Beginner/Intermediate. Available as PowerPoint slides or in-person.
Transportation
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Implementation of Complete Streets
- An overview of Vermont’s Complete Streets legislation and how Town Highway Departments should consider the law when performing major road construction projects.
- Audience: Road Foreman, Town Highway Department, Planning Commission, Selectboard.
- Level: Beginner/Intermediate.
- Available: In-person.
- Contact: Rita Seto, Senior Planner – [email protected]
- An overview of Vermont’s Complete Streets legislation and how Town Highway Departments should consider the law when performing major road construction projects.
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Highway Timesheet Program
- A presentation on the Excel-based program that can assist a Highway Department in tracking personnel time, activity, materials, equipment and maintenance hours by road.
- Audience: Road Foreman, Town Highway Department, Selectboard.
- Level: Beginner.
- Available: In-person.
- Contact: Rita Seto, Senior Planner – [email protected]
- A presentation on the Excel-based program that can assist a Highway Department in tracking personnel time, activity, materials, equipment and maintenance hours by road.
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Transportation Grants
- This workshop can provide an overview of any of the following programs: VTrans Transportation Alternatives, VTrans Bike Ped, VTrans Safe Routes to School, VTrans Municipal Park and Ride Program, and the Downtown Transportation Fund. TRORC’s staff will discuss how your town can take advantage of these grant programs to accomplish a variety of tasks, such as conducting a feasibility study or constructing sidewalks, bike paths, and park and ride facilities.
- Audience: Selectboard, Planning Commission, Town Highway Department.
- Level: Beginner.
- Available: In-person.
- Contact: Rita Seto, Senior Planner – [email protected]
- This workshop can provide an overview of any of the following programs: VTrans Transportation Alternatives, VTrans Bike Ped, VTrans Safe Routes to School, VTrans Municipal Park and Ride Program, and the Downtown Transportation Fund. TRORC’s staff will discuss how your town can take advantage of these grant programs to accomplish a variety of tasks, such as conducting a feasibility study or constructing sidewalks, bike paths, and park and ride facilities.
Data Collection & Mapping
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Parcel Mapping
- TRORC’s GIS Manager will discuss the issues surrounding tax parcel mapping, including how to hire a contractor, understand surveys and acreages, use the grand list, and handle updates. TRORC’s staff will also provide information on what kinds of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) or digital mapping information is available, and how the town can access and utilize these resources.
- Audience: Planning Commission, Town Clerk, Town Administrator, Other.
- Level: Beginner/Intermediate.
- Available: In-person.
- Contact: Pete Fellows, GIS Manager – [email protected]
- TRORC’s GIS Manager will discuss the issues surrounding tax parcel mapping, including how to hire a contractor, understand surveys and acreages, use the grand list, and handle updates. TRORC’s staff will also provide information on what kinds of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) or digital mapping information is available, and how the town can access and utilize these resources.
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How to Map Your Community
- Learn about free online mapping resources, including the Vermont Center for Geographic Information (VCGI), the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources’ (ANR) Biofinder, the ANR Natural Resources Atlas, the Vermont Energy Atlas, and Google Earth.
- Audience: Selectboard, Planning Commission, Conservation Commission, Energy Committee, Other.
- Level: Beginner.
- Available: In-person.
- Contact: Pete Fellows, GIS Manager – [email protected]
- Learn about free online mapping resources, including the Vermont Center for Geographic Information (VCGI), the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources’ (ANR) Biofinder, the ANR Natural Resources Atlas, the Vermont Energy Atlas, and Google Earth.
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Conducting a Wildlife Inventory & Mapping Habitat
- TRORC’s staff will discuss how to complete a wildlife inventory (from using volunteers to hiring a consultant) and then how to interpret and use the resulting data to inform your community’s Town Plan and zoning bylaws. Please note that TRORC does not have a wildlife biologist or forester on staff; however, we are happy to help your town arrange the actual inventory with someone who is qualified in this regard.
- Audience: Planning Commission, Conservation Commission.
- Level: Beginner or Intermediate.
- Available as PowerPoint slides or in-person.
- Contact: Pete Fellows, GIS Manager – [email protected]
- TRORC’s staff will discuss how to complete a wildlife inventory (from using volunteers to hiring a consultant) and then how to interpret and use the resulting data to inform your community’s Town Plan and zoning bylaws. Please note that TRORC does not have a wildlife biologist or forester on staff; however, we are happy to help your town arrange the actual inventory with someone who is qualified in this regard.
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Finding and Understanding Census Data
- This workshop is aimed at teaching you how to use (and not become frustrated with) American FactFinder 2 and OnTheMap Longitudinal Employer-Household Dynamics.
- Audience: Planning Commission, Selectboard, Town Administrators, Other.
- Level: Beginner or Intermediate.
- Available: In-person.
- Contact: Pete Fellows, GIS Manager – [email protected]
- This workshop is aimed at teaching you how to use (and not become frustrated with) American FactFinder 2 and OnTheMap Longitudinal Employer-Household Dynamics.
Emergency Management
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Role of Selectboards and Local Officials in Emergency Management
- TRORC’s staff will describe the often overlooked role of Selectboards in emergencies, including their role as the Board of Health and default Emergency Management Coordinator.
- Audience: New or existing Selectboard members, Town Managers, Town Clerks, Treasurers, or those who have not yet experienced a major disaster while working in town government.
- Level: Beginner.
- Available in-person.
- Contact: Kevin Geiger, Chief Planner – [email protected]
- TRORC’s staff will describe the often overlooked role of Selectboards in emergencies, including their role as the Board of Health and default Emergency Management Coordinator.
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The Local Emergency Operations Plan (LEOP)
- This workshop reviews the elements of a LEOP and discusses its use as a planning and response tool.
- Audience: Selectboard, Town Manager, Town Administrator, and Emergency Coordinator or Director.
- Level: Beginner.
- Available in-person.
- Contact: Kevin Geiger, Chief Planner – [email protected]
- This workshop reviews the elements of a LEOP and discusses its use as a planning and response tool.
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Emergency Management: The Town’s Role in a Larger Context
- This workshop is meant to give town officials a mental road map to the larger world of disaster response. TRORC’s staff will review the Incident Command System, the phases of emergencies, and the state’s disaster server (DLAN). We’ll also discuss the roles of the Regional Planning Commissions, as well as State and Federal government.
- Audience: Selectboard, Town Manager, Emergency Coordinator, Other.
- Level: Intermediate.
- Available: In-person.
- Contact: Kevin Geiger, Chief Planner – [email protected]
- This workshop is meant to give town officials a mental road map to the larger world of disaster response. TRORC’s staff will review the Incident Command System, the phases of emergencies, and the state’s disaster server (DLAN). We’ll also discuss the roles of the Regional Planning Commissions, as well as State and Federal government.
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Disaster Response under a Federal Declaration
- This workshop provides an overview of the process of a declaration, the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA’s) role in disasters, and includes a variety of tips on how to best structure your local response and recovery to maximize the benefits and minimize the headaches.
- Audience: Road Foreman, Selectboard, Town Administrator, Emergency Coordinator, and Treasurer.
- Level: Beginner/Intermediate.
- Available in-person.
- Contact: Kevin Geiger, Chief Planner – [email protected]
- This workshop provides an overview of the process of a declaration, the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA’s) role in disasters, and includes a variety of tips on how to best structure your local response and recovery to maximize the benefits and minimize the headaches.
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Introduction to Participating in Local Emergency Management
- This workshop is a crash course aimed at volunteers or adjunct staff wanting to assist towns in times of disaster. It provides an overview of the field of emergency management, Incident Command System, Vermont’s and Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA’s) role in disasters, and ways that a volunteer can fit into this system.
- Audience: Volunteers and local staff not usually involved in emergencies.
- Level: Beginner/Intermediate.
- Available in-person
- Prerecorded video
- Contact: Kevin Geiger, Chief Planner – [email protected]
- This workshop is a crash course aimed at volunteers or adjunct staff wanting to assist towns in times of disaster. It provides an overview of the field of emergency management, Incident Command System, Vermont’s and Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA’s) role in disasters, and ways that a volunteer can fit into this system.
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Other Emergency Training
- TRORC’s staff can work to facilitate training or exercises offered by 2-1-1, the Red Cross, Vermont CERT, the state Police and Fire Academies, and the Vermont Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security. You can visit the State training calendar at https://demhs.vermont.gov/training.