Save the Date:  NH OEP Spring Planning and Zoning Conference 

The NH OEP Spring Conference for Planning and Zoning Board Members is scheduled for Saturday, April 28, 2007 at the Radisson Hotel, Center of New Hampshire in Manchester, NH.  To register, contact Michele Zydel of NH OEP at 271-2155 or register online at http://www.nh.gov/oep/forms/conference_form.htm.  For further information, please contact Jo Anne Carr of Commission staff. 

Dublin Traffic Calming Solution  

On February 7^th, the Town of Dublin and NH Department of Transportation reached consensus for the conceptual design of traffic calming and pedestrian improvements along NH 101.  The design includes improvements for sidewalks, lighting, and traffic circulation.  Community members and NH DOT participated in an innovative process known as Context Sensitive Solutions (CSS) to define the problems in the corridor and develop effective solutions.  The process will continue as the project proceeds through preliminary and final design, to assure that the end product is complementary with the Town of Dublin’s environmental and cultural setting.  The Dublin CSS project is one of four ‘pilot’ projects in New Hampshire, the others being in Littleton, Meredith, and Concord.  For more information, please contact Nicolás Bosonetto of Commission staff. 

Connecticut River Joint Commissions Discuss Brownfields Redevelopment 

The NH/VT Connecticut River Joint Commissions (CRJC) invited staff from SWRPC and Vermont’s Windsor County RPC to discuss the Planning Commissions’ respective Brownfields Assessment Programs at the CRJC’s February meeting.  Discussion highlighted the value of the Brownfields programs in ongoing efforts to protect community character, economic prosperity, and environmental quality.  The CRJC and the regional planning commissions in both states have long been partners in all matters concerning the Connecticut River and communities that share it.  To learn more about the CRJC, visit their website at www.crjc.org.  For further information about the Brownfields program, please contact Natalie Shafiroff of Commission staff. 

State Bicycle Route Update 

A public meeting was held on February 28^th at the Keene Public Library to review and comment on the latest iteration of the State Bicycle Route Maps.  Members of the public, various bicycle and pedestrian groups, as well as the Monadnock Travel Council attended and provided input.  The draft maps can be viewed at www.nh.gov/dot/nhbikeped.  For more information or to comment on the maps, please contact Nicolás Bosonetto of Commission staff.

Our Changing Economic Geography 

Since the 1950 US Census, federal and state government measured labor and employment trends using geographic units known as Labor Market Areas (LMA).  Population growth outside large and small cities, and the resulting increase in employment opportunities in rural and small urban areas, resulted in the recent reassignment of cities and towns in New England to newly created “New England City and Town Areas” (NECTA), or to smaller LMA’s.  While there were formerly 17 LMA’s in New Hampshire, there are now 27 LMA’s and NECTA’s.  Notable changes for the Southwest Region include the addition of towns to the Peterborough LMA and the separation of most of Cheshire County from what was the Keene-Brattleboro LMA to form the new Keene NECTA.  For further information, please contact Jeff Porter of Commission staff. 

 NH Wildlife Action Plan GIS Data and Mapping 

Commission staff participated in a workshop with the NH Department of Fish & Game specifically for regional planning commission GIS specialists.  The group explored the statewide GIS analyses and mapping of the State’s Wildlife Action Plan, and discussed ways to adapt the analyses to planning regions and watersheds within the State.  The state-level analyses identify and rank areas for wildlife conservation and habitat protection, considering eco-regional, biological, and human factors.  Planning Commission staff will continue to work with NH Fish & Game to adapt the statewide project to the Southwest Region for use in regional and municipal planning. The state-level data and maps are currently available from the Planning Commission’s GIS.  For further information, please contact Andrea Santoro of Commission staff. 

Rural Communications Study

The U.S. Department of Transportation is exploring the feasibility of co-locating fiber optic or other high-speed telecommunications (HST) infrastructure with the Interstate-91 through Massachusetts and Vermont.  The “Rural Interstate Corridor Communications Study” will explore potential benefits of regional-scale HST installation to rural communities within 25 miles of the Interstate regarding economic development, education, and health care.  The study includes all or parts of 27 Southwest Region towns.  The project website can be found at www.ruralcomm.org/index.php.  For more information, please contact Jeff Porter of Commission staff.