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Current Issue of the Newsletter:

 

 VLCT News - May 2013 

See also: Reprints of recents newsletter articles.

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Please also check our Event Calendar for training, workshops and other events.

News Briefs

  • 2014 Ecosystem Restoration Program RFP
  • 05/16/2013

  • The Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation announces the state fiscal year (SFY) 2014 Request for Proposals (RFP) for grants under the Ecosystem Restoration Program (ERP). The ERP’s goal in awarding these grants is to reduce surface water pollution from runoff containing nutrients (phosphorus and nitrogen) and sediment. This round is anticipated to be the only opportunity to apply for SFY2014 ERP grants, however the SFY2015 RFP will likely be released in January 2014. All future funding cycles will keep to a January RFP release date.

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  • Vermontivate!
  • 05/14/2013

  • Vermontivate! is an award-winning community sustainability game that brings fun and creativity to the serious work of tackling climate change. Players take on a wide range of sustainability-related challenges, earning points for their town or school. At the end of the game, the winning town gets an ice cream party from Ben & Jerry’s and the winning school will get a trophy and a combo gift package from a collection of organizations.

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  • New Mitigation Planning Publications
  • 05/14/2013

  • FEMA announces three new mitigation planning publications:

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  • Memo to Legislators Concerning S.37
  • 05/10/2013

  • Complex tax increment financing (TIF) district statutes have resulted in much confusion over many years. S.37 would address uncertainly around the implementation of TIFs in Vermont. On Friday, May 10, Karen Horn, Director of Public Policy and Advocacy, submitted this memo to House members urging their support of S.37.

    Read more >>
  • 1st Annual State of Vermont Economic Development Summit
  • 05/09/2013

  • Use your voice to build Vermont’s economic future.

     

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  • Free Roads and Rivers Training Program
  • 05/08/2013

  • Tropical Storm Irene’s damage to the state’s infrastructure and river stability created the need for increased awareness of how Vermont's highway infrastructure and river systems interact, and why our river system is so important when repairing or constructing highways.

    Read more >>
  • After the Flood Workshop
  • 05/08/2013

  • After the Flood: Regenerative Design, Renewal, Resilience

    The Center for Creative Solutions is offering a unique six-day studio style workshop in Londonderry, Vt., from August 4-10, 2013, to re-imagine a landscape devastated by Tropical Storm Irene that may become a precedent for other flooded communities. Participants will work collaboratively with expert practitioners and engage community stakeholders in developing program options for vacant properties that both renew the community’s sense of place and creatively protect the village from future flooding, regenerating and conserving the floodplain. The workshop is designed for working professionals who will be engaged in a process that engages community stakeholders and is interdisciplinary, collaborative, socially engaged and ultimately creative.

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  • Civility and Political Discourse in Vermont
  • 05/07/2013

  • Political discourse on the campaign trail, in attack ads on television, in the halls of Congress, in verbal exchanges between political party leaders, and everywhere on cable television and radio seems conflict-oriented, unproductive, and generally discouraging to most Americans today. Many scholars and observers connect this current wave of uncivil political discourse to historically low levels of trust and confidence in the institutions of government (notably Congress, but also other elected leaders) as well as to widespread cynicism about public service and servants.

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  • HUD Environmental Review Training
  • 05/07/2013

  • The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will conduct a free Environmental Review Training for CDBG, CDBG-DR and HOME applicants to review Actions Triggering Environmental Review and Limitations Pending Clearance 24CFR Part 58 on Wednesday, May 29, 2013, at the Pavilion Auditorium, 109 State Street, in Montpelier. The time of the training is 9 a.m to 4 p.m. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m.
     
    To register, please click on https://secure.vermont.gov/ACCD/eventreg/event.php?eid=53

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  • Transfer of Firearms Legislation
  • 04/16/2013

  • On April 15, VLCT staff sent this letter to Senator Leahy in advance of the US Senate debate on firearms. An identical letter was sent to Sen. Sanders.

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  • Sustaining Our Progress
  • 04/10/2013

  • On Monday, April 8, Governor Shumlin issued the third Irene recovery report. Titled “Sustaining our Progress,” the report charts the accomplishments since the June 2012 Recovering Stronger Report, sets goals for the second anniversary of the storm, and outlines recovery efforts that will continue into the recovery’s third year and beyond. The complete report is at http://vtstrong.vermont.gov.

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  • 2013 Labor and Employment Summer Conference
  • 04/09/2013

  • The Executive Board of the New England Consortium of State Labor Relations Agencies' annual summer conference will take place on Friday, July 19, 2013, at the Roger Williams University School of Law in Bristol, Rhode Island. The conference program will feature keynote and plenary addresses by distinguished labor relations and labor law experts, as well as several concurrent workshops on various current, compelling and relevant topics. More information is included in this announcement. Questions? Contact Robyn H. Golden at rgolden@dlt.ri.gov.

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  • Shoreland Zoning
  • 04/02/2013

  • The Agency of Natural Resources, Lakes and Ponds Management Section, provided three lists of towns with lakes of ten acres or more and towns with shoreland zoning bylaws that, in its estimation, would meet the criteria established in H.526. That bill, which has now passed the House, may be found at www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/2014/bills/House/H-526C.pdf.

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  • Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, Round 5
  • 04/02/2013

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

    Read more >>
  • Energy Siting and the Publc Service Board
  • 03/29/2013

  • On March 28, Public Policy and Advocacy Director Karen Horn submitted this comment on the Energy Siting Commission's second draft of an options paper on siting renewable electric energy generation facilities. A link to the draft paper is here.

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  • Small Scale Renewable Energy Incentive Program
  • 03/14/2013

  • The Clean Energy Development Fund’s Small Scale Renewable Energy Incentive Program (SSREIP) is now accepting new incentive reservations for photovoltaic, solar hot water, and small wind systems. New revised forms as well as the SSREIP Terms, Conditions and Requirements are at http://www.rerc-vt.org/incentives/forms.htm. For more information, call the SSREIP program administrator at 877-888-7372.

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  • Irene Recovery Network
  • 02/28/2013

  • If you or someone you know is still recovering from the effects of Tropical Storm Irene, a network of people and organizations stands ready to help. The first stop for finding out what assistance is available is your regional long-term recovery group or recovery office, and the Irene Recovery Office has compiled this list of them.

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  • Northeast Regional Energy Efficiency Database
  • 02/27/2013

  • Northeast Regional Energy Efficiency Database Goes Live. The Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnership (NEEP) has launched its Regional Energy Efficiency Database (REED), a public resource that currently includes 2011 electric and gas energy efficiency program data for Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont. Energy efficiency data for the year 2012 from these eight states, along with data for Delaware and the District of Columbia, will be added to REED this autumn.

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  • SolarOPs
  • 02/27/2013

  •  New Website Helps Local Governments Advance Solar Energy Initiatives. The SunShot Solar Outreach Partnership (SolarOPs), funded by the U.S. Department of Energy’s SunShot Initiative, has created a new website to help local governments adopt solar energy. The site includes a resource database, a calendar of events and trainings, a blog, and access to “Ask the Expert” services and technical assistance offerings. State and local officials interested in additional information about developing and implementing cost-effective climate and energy strategies that help further environmental goals and achieve public health and economic benefits may visit EPA’s State and Local Climate and Energy Program site.

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  • Extreme Events Workshop Planning Tool
  • 02/27/2013

  • EPA's Climate Ready Water Utilities Initiative Announces Extreme Events Workshop Planning Tool. 2012 was the second most expensive year on record for extreme events in the United States, and events like these are expected to occur more frequently and with greater intensity in the years ahead. Extreme events, such as the current prolonged period of drought, can have devastating impacts on drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater utilities. It is important that water utilities identify actions that can be taken today to better prepare for these events.

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  • Emergency Relief and Assistance Fund
  • 02/26/2013

  • The Emergency Relief and Assistance Fund (ERAF) provides Public Assistance grants through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to Vermont cities and towns to repair damaged infrastructure after a presidentially declared disaster. The state typically contributes half of the required 25 percent non-federal match for approved projects. Under the new ERAF rule, which went into effect on October 23, 2012, municipalities have 24 months to adopt additional flood hazard mitigation measures to maintain the state cost share for FEMA Public Assistance grants. Municipalities that adopt higher standards can achieve a higher percentage of state funding for post-disaster repair projects – from 12.5 percent to 17.5 percent. Municipalities that adopt the standard set of hazard mitigation measures will continue to receive state funds to cover half of the required non-federal match, or 12.5 percent. Municipalities that have not adopted the basic set of measures will see a decrease in the state match, from 12.5 percent to 7.5 percent. Thus, the state contribution toward the local match requirement will vary from 7.5 percent to 17.5 percent of the total project costs, depending upon the level of adoption of recommended mitigation measures.

    Read more >>
  • Town Road and Bridge Standards
  • 02/15/2013

  • Recently, the Vermont agencies of Transportation and Natural Resources updated their Town Road and Bridge Standards for the House Transportation Committee and provided this explanatory letter to municipal officials.

    Read more >>
  • S.30 Testimony
  • 01/29/2013

  • On Tuesday, January 29, VLCT Advocacy's Karen Horn testified in the Senate Natural Resources and Energy Committee about the experience of towns in the Public Service Board Certificate of Public Good permit process and what the role of municipal plans and decisions should be. The committee took up S.30 that morning.

    Read more >>
  • Moretown Landfill Comment
  • 01/22/2013

  • On January 21, 2013, Public Policy and Advocacy Director Karen Horn submitted this letter commenting on the Department of Environmental Conservation's recent intent to deny Moretown Landfill's application for recertification of two of its cells.

    Read more >>
  • TIF Testimony
  • 01/16/2013

  • On January 15, 2013, Public Policy and Advocacy Director Karen Horn testified before the House Ways and Means Committee on tax incremental financing in Vermont.

    Read more >>
  • Act 138 Comments Letter
  • 01/03/2013

  • Karen Horn, Director of VLCT's Public Policy and Advocacy, recently commented on the Agency of Natural Resources' draft report to the legislature on water quality, remediation and funding, written in response to Act 138 of the 2012 legislative session.

    Read more >>
  • Vt. Municipal Bond Bank Letter
  • 12/21/2012

  • Karen Horn, Director of VLCT’s Public Policy and Advocacy, recently wrote this letter to Vermont’s Congressional delegation urging their continued support of tax-exempt status for municipal bonds.

    Read more >>
  • FY14 Statewide Property Tax Rates
  • 12/11/2012

  • In this November 30 letter, Vermont Tax Commissioner Mary Peterson recommended statewide education property tax rates for FY 2014.

    Read more >>
  • DEC Issues Updated MS4 Permit
  • 12/06/2012

  • On December 5, 2012, the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) issued an updated Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) general permit. Designed to address pollution from stormwater runoff, the MS4 permit applies to 13 municipalities and three institutional entities in the Lake Champlain watershed. Communities already subject to the MS4 permit include Burlington, Colchester, Essex, Essex Junction, Milton, Shelburne, South Burlington, Williston, and Winooski, as well as the non-municipal entities of Burlington International Airport, the University of Vermont, and the Vermont Agency of Transportation within the geographical boundaries of these municipalities. In addition to these communities, which will have to meet the new requirements of the updated permit, DEC designated Rutland town and city and St. Albans town and city as new MS4s subject to the requirements of the permit.

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  • Community Facilities Loans and Grants
  • 11/29/2012

  • Applications are encouraged for USDA Rural Development Community Facilities loans and grants. Now you can finance your planned capital projects. Low interest rate loans (rates are currently 3.5%). Some loan terms can be as long as 30 years. No pre-payment penalties. Community Facilities serves non-profits and public bodies. Detailed program and contact information as well as an application are here.

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  • Corrections Town Hall Meetings
  • 11/20/2012

  • The Department of Corrections will hold two more Town Hall Meetings to solicit input from Vermont residents and communities on DOC-related issues. The meetings will be held via interactive television at sites across the state. The department will solicit agenda items for each meeting and will work to incorporate them as appropriate within the time limits of the meeting. Agendas will be posted in advance on the department's website, http://www.doc.vermont.gov/involvement/corrections-town-meeting.

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  • New Resources for Community Broadband
  • 11/19/2012

  • The Vermont Council on Rural Development is sharing toolkits and lessons learned from the e-Vermont Community Broadband Project. These resources will help rural communities in Vermont and throughout the United States make better use of online tools for community and economic development.

    Read more >>
  • Vermont Outdoor Recreation Plan Public Comment
  • 11/07/2012

  • The Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation seeks public comment on updates to the Vermont Outdoor Recreation Plan, 2005-2009, which has expired. The new document provides a vision in support of outdoor recreation throughout the state from 2013-2017. Towns are encouraged to refer to the plan when coordinating their activities with statewide priorities. You can review the draft Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recration Plan (SCORP) at http://www.vtfpr.org/recreation/scorp/info.cfm.

    Read more >>
  • VLCT Policing Options Brochure
  • 11/07/2012

  • How does a municipality ensure the safety of its residents and businesses? What options are available to it? What combination of state, county, or local law enforcement services will meet a town’s needs? These and other questions have led to VLCT’s updated Policing Options brochure for local officials, which summarizes the alternatives that municipal officials can consider if ensuring the public’s safety is a topic of discussion in their community.

    Read more >>
  • Complete Streets: A Guide for Vermont Communities
  • 11/07/2012

  • Vermont's goal is for its streets to safely accommodate all transportation system users, regardless of age, ability, or their preferred mode of transportation, including walking, biking, driving, or the use of transit. The Complete Streets law, which became effective July 1, 2011, supports the Fit and Healthy Vermonters' goal of increasing the number of Vermonters who engage in regular physical activity by creating communities where all modes of transportation, including walking and bicycling, are made safe and accessible. Municipalities are partners in this goal.

    Read more >>
  • Strong Communities
  • 11/07/2012

  • Strong Communities is a free quarterly newsletter published by the Department of Economic, Housing and Community Development at the Agency of Commerce and Community Development that highlights news, trends and best practices to strengthen your community. Each issue will spotlight planning and revitalization successes throughout Vermont, outline upcoming grant and training opportunities, and provide tools you can use in your community. Here's the current newsletter. You can subscribe to it here.

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  • Regulation of Professional Engineers
  • 11/07/2012

  • VLCT staff recently commented on a proposal from the Vermont Board of Professional Engineers to amend statutes regulating the practice of engineering in the state. One element of the proposal would eliminate the exemption from engineering licensing for an officer or full-time employee of a municipality or the state. You can find a link to the proposed changes at http://vtprofessionals.org/opr1/engineers/, where you may also submit comments.

    Read more >>
  • FEMA Public Assistance Update
  • 11/01/2012

  • Helpful information from Vermont's Public Assistance Officer and Irene Recovery Officer concerning FEMA's Public Assistance process consists of

    Read more >>
  • FY13 Per Pupil Education Spending and Tax Rates
  • 11/01/2012

  • The Public Assets Institute has created an interactive map that shows per-pupil education spending, income-based school tax rates, and property rates for Vermont towns here.

    Read more >>
  • 2013 Vermont Home Energy Challenge
  • 10/30/2012

  • Help your neighbors reduce their energy bills by participating in the 2013 Vermont Home Energy Challenge. Efficiency Vermont, in partnership with the Vermont Energy and Climate Action Network, is seeking local organizations to champion the Challenge in their communities and to sign up to participate. Under the Challenge, local organizations will foster public awareness about energy saving opportunities in the home and will set a target of weatherizing 3 percent of the homes in their community over the course of a year. Towns will then be able to measure their progress toward their goals along with that of other communities in their region and across the state. At the end of the year, towns will be recognized and awarded for the effectiveness of their efforts to encourage participation in their communities.

    Read more >>
  • Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Program
  • 10/26/2012

  • The U.S. Department of Justice has awarded grants to 25 law enforcement departments across Vermont to aid in the purchase of bulletproof vests for state and local officers. Jurisdictions slated to receive awards include individual towns, counties, and the Vermont State Police. The grants are made possible by the Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Program, which Senator Patrick Leahy authored in 1998. For details, please read this press release.

    Read more >>
  • EPA Climate and Energy Strategy Guide
  • 09/28/2012

  • Earlier this year, the EPA released Resource Conservation and Recovery: A Guide to Developing and Implementing Greenhouse Gas Reduction Programs, a climate and energy strategy guide for local governments. Resource conservation and recovery strategies involve avoiding, delaying, or decreasing the raw materials required for the production of new products through source reduction, reuse, recycling, composting, and energy recovery. These practices can reduce greenhouse gas emissions throughout the life-cycle of materials, while also reducing air pollution, energy use, and landfilling costs.

    Read more >>
  • Audits and Single Audits: Requirements and Related Information
  • 09/07/2012

  • Does your town need a single audit? The following VLCT News article can help you decide. If you do need an audit, look to the other two documents for more help.

    Read more >>
  • Available CDBG Grant Applications
  • 09/07/2012

  • The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has approved Vermont’s Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery Action Plan. CDBG-DR applications are now available through the Vermont Department of Economic, Housing and Community Development (DEHCD). A total of $21.6 million in HUD CDBG-DR funding is available to help communities, businesses, organizations and individuals with long-term disaster recovery.  The funding will be distributed through both a competitive grant application process and state direct allocations, as outlined in the Action Plan.

    Read more >>
  • Candidate Forum Tool Kit
  • 08/31/2012

  • VLCT is offering its members a Candidate Forum Tool Kit in conjunction with its Election 2012 Issue Paper series.

    Read more >>
  • Vermont Home Weatherization Challenge
  • 08/31/2012

  • This fall, Efficiency Vermont, in partnership with VECAN, will roll out an ambitious plan to significantly increase the number of Vermonters who make weatherization improvements to their homes. The 2013 Vermont Home Weatherization Challenge is a town-by-town challenge designed to harness people’s proclivity for competition — and fun! — to help Vermont meet its necessarily ambitious weatherization goals and save homeowners on their energy bills. The challenge will run from January 1 to December 31, 2013. Be sure your town is lined up to participate. This announcement provides details, or you can visit www.vecan.net/ or efficiencyvermont.com.

    Read more >>
  • Federal-aid Essentials for Local Public Agencies
  • 08/29/2012

  • A new Federal Highway Administration transportation resource called Federal-aid Essentials for Local Public Agencies puts key information about federal aid requirements online at www.fhwa.dot.gov/federal-aidessentials. The website is a centralized hub for guidance, policies, procedures, and best practices for administering federal aid projects. Its main feature is a library of videos covering key aspects of the project development and delivery process.

    Read more >>
  • Motor Vehicle Lemon Law
  • 08/29/2012

  • A motor vehicle covered under the Lemon Law is defined as new if it is under the manufacturer’s express (written) warranty, which begins when the vehicle is delivered to the first owner or lessee. This means in addition to a motor vehicle purchased new by a first owner or initially leased, some vehicles designated as used on the purchase contract are new under the Lemon Law.

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  • HMGP Information Line
  • 08/27/2012

  • Vermont Emergency Management and other state agencies are working diligently to expedite the FEMA review and approval process for submitted applications considered under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP). Due to the complex nature of the review process, we anticipate FEMA approvals in September and October. However, those with unresolved issues could take longer for approval. For home buy-outs, the state is working to provide the 25% local match amount from the Community Development Block Grant program or from the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board. Once all grant approvals have been finalized, homeowners will be contacted by their town officials for a scheduled closing on their property. Most homeowners can expect the buy-out process to be completed between October and December.

    Read more >>
  • Municipal Streetlight Guide
  • 08/23/2012

  • Efficiency Vermont has updated its step-by-step guide, “Improving Efficiency in Municipal Street and Public Space Lighting.” Street lighting is an important part of a municipality’s nighttime landscape. Lighting can enhance public safety and security and improve the aesthetic appeal of the surrounding properties. However, street lighting represents a large electrical load and can be one of the highest costs for a municipality. By eliminating unnecessary street lighting and converting older lighting technologies to LEDs, municipalities can reduce the cost of outdoor lighting while enhancing the nighttime environment. The guide is part of a larger effort by Efficiency Vermont, in partnership with the state’s utilities, to help municipalities improve the efficiency of their street lighting and upgrade to LED technology.

    Read more >>
  • Model Subdivision Regulations
  • 07/31/2012

  • The model environmental resource area protection standards for subdivisions, noted in the article in the August-September issue of the VLCT News, are posted here.

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  • CDBG Funds - Update
  • 07/25/2012

  • Vermont’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Disaster Recovery Action Plan was submitted to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) on July 20, 2012. The Vermont Department of Economic, Housing and Community Development (DEHCD) submitted it in response to the Federal Register Notice, making Vermont eligible to receive $21,660,211 in HUD Disaster Recovery funding. HUD has 45 days from the date submitted to review and approve the Action Plan. Upon approval, expected by September 6, DEHCD will make CDBG-Disaster Recovery applications available. DEHCD staff will be available to provide technical and application assistance. More information is at http://accd.vermont.gov/strong_communities/opportunities/funding/cdbgdr.

    Read more >>
  • CDBG-DR Draft Action Plan Comment
  • 06/29/2012

  • On behalf of VLCT's member municpalities, Public Policy and Advocacy Director Karen Horn commented on the draft action Plan for the Community Development Block Grant Program Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR).

    Read more >>
  • Change in the Authority of Constables
  • 06/15/2012

  • Act 103 of 2012 – An Act Relating to the Certification of Capitol Police and Constables and to Legislative Traffic Control and Parking – affects the qualifications for exercising law enforcement authority by municipal constables. This change of authority is explained in a sample letter that VLCT has written for municipalities to modify and forward to their local municipal constable(s). The letter is available as both a Word document and as a pdf file.

    Read more >>
  • Technical Assistance Available for Energy Efficiency Activities
  • 06/12/2012

  • The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), in partnership with the Surdna Foundation, is offering technical assistance services over the next 12 months to local governments and other local stakeholders around the United States on energy efficiency policy and program implementation. ACEEE staff will provide research, subject matter expertise, and other technical assistance resources for priority projects. Technical assistance products may range from structured conference calls for identifying strategies on particular issues, to memos, fact sheets, spreadsheet analyses, or presentations to a stakeholder audience.

    Read more >>
  • CDBG-Disaster Recovery Funds
  • 06/12/2012

  • The Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development, Department of Economic, Housing and Community Development (DEHCD) is eligible to receive $21,660,211 from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funds. The Federal Register Notice, released on April 16, 2012, contained the rules, requirements, and process for DEHCD to apply for this funding. DEHCD has until July 23, 2012, to develop and submit an Action Plan for Disaster Recovery, which is essentially the state’s application for these funds. The Action Plan must follow a format prescribed by HUD and must address the requirements identified in the Federal Register Notice.

    Read more >>
  • VLCT Municipal Internal Controls Checklist
  • 01/20/2012

  • VLCT and the VLCT Board of Directors’ Financial Responsibility Committee are pleased to announce the availability of the new Municipal Internal Controls Checklist and accompanying guidelines. The checklist, which complies with current professional standards, can help municipalities improve their financial controls, and the guidelines describes the checklist in detail.

    Read more >>
  • Financing Program Decision Tool and Financial Program Decision Guide
  • 01/17/2012

  • Communities are increasingly investing in energy efficiency and renewable energy to achieve their air quality, economic, and energy goals. In doing so, they have found that the up-front costs of improving energy efficiency and increasing renewable energy generation can be a barrier for many homeowners, building owners, and businesses. One way to address these barriers is by adopting clean energy financing programs that can make efficiency and renewable energy more affordable for these sectors. EPA's State and Local Climate and Clean Energy Program is supporting these efforts with an online Financing Program Decision Tool and Financing Program Decision Guide.

    Read more >>
  • Model Abatement Forms
  • 01/05/2012

  • As a result of Tropical Storm Irene, many towns received an unprecedented number of requests for abatement, the quasi-judicial process for relieving taxpayers from the burden of property taxes, penalty, and interest. To assist VLCT members, the Municipal Assistance Center has produced a set of model abatement request forms, hearing schedules, rules of procedure, and decision forms. The forms are in Word format and you can download them here.

    Read more >>