MEETING NOTICE AGENDA

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1 BERKSHIRE REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION 1 FENN STREET, SUITE 201, PITTSFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS TELEPHONE (413) FAX (413) KYLE HANLON, Chair SHEILA IRVIN, Vice-Chair MARIE RAFTERY, Clerk CHARLES P. OGDEN, Treasurer NATHANIEL W. KARNS, A.I.C.P. Executive Director MEETING NOTICE A meeting of the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission will be held on: Thursday, September 28, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. at the BRPC Office 1 Fenn Street, Ste. 201 Pittsfield, MA Please Note: There will be an orientation for more recent Delegates and Alternates starting at 6 p.m. Even more Orientation for New Delegates & Alternates: There will be an orientation for new delegates and alternates experienced from 6:00-6:50 Delegates p.m. All and delegates Alternates and are alternates welcome are to participate welcome to but attend. we need We a will firm have RSVP sandwiches as we are and providing wraps wraps/sandwiches/salad. please let us know if you Please are let planning Shannon on attending know at szaleski@berkshireplanning.org by ing or calling Shannon or Zaleski , at , ext. 10 no later than Monday, September 25 th if you plan on attending. ext. 10, or szaleski@berkshireplanning.org so that we can order enough food. Meeting Material: All written materials for the meeting are posted on BRPC s website: Click on the calendar date for the meeting and materials available will be listed. AGENDA I. Opening (7:00-7:05) A. Call to Order B. Roll Call C. Approval of Minutes July 27, 2017 Meeting II. Comments from the Public (7:05-7:10) Members of the public may offer comments regarding topics which are on the agenda or other matters which they wish to bring to the Commission s attention. Comments are limited to no more than three minutes and are to be directed to the Commission. III. Delegates' Issues (7:10-7:15) Delegates and Alternates may bring up any issue not on the agenda. IV. Endorsement of Committee Chair and At-Large Executive Committee Member Appointments for FY 2018 (7:15-7:20) (over)

2 V. Massachusetts Rural Policy Advisory Commission (7:20-8:05) The Massachusetts Rural Policy Advisory Commission was created by legislation in 2015 and held its first meeting in June Over the past year, it has analyzed a lot of data to better understand the nature of rural communities in Massachusetts in order to start to build a work program for the future. The data will be presented at the BRPC meeting and we encourage the Commission members to provide their thoughts and reactions to it. This will inform the Berkshire s representative to the RPAC (Executive Director Nat Karns) as he continues to work with the other RPAC members over the coming year. VI. Community Compact (8:00-8:25) The Community Compact was one of the first initiatives of the Baker Administration and is entering its third year. The first round of Community Compacts has resulted in noticeable improvements in municipal practices across a range of activities. Thirty cities and towns in Berkshire County are eligible to enter into new Community Compacts this fall. Assistant Director Tom Matuszko will present information on the updated program and the status of our cities and towns. Communities are limited to two commitments for the coming year and the program provides support across a wide range of options. VII. Land Use Planning Technical Assistance Grants (8:25-8:35) The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs has just released a solicitation for applications to its Land Use Technical Assistance Program, with applications due October 23 rd. We believe this is a great opportunity for our communities to address deficiencies and desires they have to modernize their land use regulations. Information about the program can be found at: We will have a brief discussion about the program and invite each delegate and alternate to come to the table with ideas their community might like to pursue. VIII. Approval of Executive Committee Actions between July 27 and September 28, 2017 (8:35-8:40) IX. Executive Director s Report (8:40-8:45) A. New Staff at BRPC B. Passage of 40R Smart Growth Overlay District in Great Barrington C. BRPC Regional Issues Committee Short Term Rental Legislation D Moving Together Conference September 28 th, Boston Park Plaza Hotel E. BRPC Annual Meeting Thursday, October 19 th, Pittsfield Country Club F. Citizen Planner Training Collaborative Berkshire Workshops Thursday, November 2 nd and Thursday November 9 th, BRPC G. Municipal ADA Grant Program H. DHCD Community Scale Housing Initiative I. Massachusetts Clean Energy Center Programs for Municipalities J. Congratulations to Sheffield and Washington on Division of Ecological Restoration Grants for Culvert Replacement Designs K. Other X. Adjournment (8:45) Other interested citizens and officials are invited to attend. All times listed are estimates of when specific agenda items may be discussed. City and Town Clerks: Please post this notice pursuant to M.G.L. Chapter 39, Section 23B

3 BERKSHIRE REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION 1 FENN STREET, SUITE 201, PITTSFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS TELEPHONE (413) FAX (413) Massachusetts Relay Service: TTY: 771 or KYLE HANLON, Chair SHEILA IRVIN, Vice-Chair MARIE RAFTERY, Clerk CHARLES P. OGDEN, Treasurer NATHANIEL W. KARNS Executive Director DRAFT MINUTES OF THE BERKSHIRE REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING I. Call to Order Thursday July 27, 2017 At BRPC Office A. The meeting is called to order at 5:30 PM Chair Kyle Hanlon reminded all per the open meeting law, BRPC records all meetings. Others may record the meeting after informing the chair. Any documents presented must be left with the chair at the meeting. Robert Ronzio informed the chair he would be recording the meeting. B. Introductions/Roll Call The following Commission members are present: Robert Ronzio Becket Delegate Alvin Blake Becket Alternate Peter Traub Cheshire Delegate Caleb Darby Dalton Delegate Buck Donovan Lee Delegate Kenn Basler Monterey Delegate James Mullen New Marlborough Delegate Kyle Hanlon North Adams Delegate Sheila Irvin Pittsfield Delegate Roger Kohler Sandisfield Alternate Rene Wood Sheffield Alternate Marie Raftery Stockbridge Delegate Sarah Hudson Tyringham Alternate Roger Bolton Williamstown Alternate Staff Present: Nathaniel Karns Executive Director Marianne Sniezek Office Manager Lauren Gaherty Senior Planner Others Present: Andy McKeever iberkshires Kate Fletcher - Stockbridge Kyle welcomed new members to the Commission. C. Approval of Minutes May 18, 2017 Regular Meeting Rene Wood moved to approve; seconded by Jamie Mullen. Unanimously approved with 1 abstention.

4 II. III. IV. Comments from the Public None Delegate & Alternate Issues Rene Wood discussed the 5 th Thursday presentation on Large Solar. The presenter discussed the laws the state is changing regarding the state s Solar Program. Rene reviewed the changes that would have an affect on the municipality s ability to negotiate solar agreements with developers. Rene asked if a letter would be written on behalf of the Commission on any negative impacts? After a discussion, it was decided no motion was needed and the Executive Committee could review and approve a letter at its August 3 rd meeting. Election of BRPC Officers for FY2018 The Nominating Committee proposed the following slate of officers for FY 2018: Chair: Kyle Hanlon, North Adams Delegate Vice Chair: Sheila Irvin, Pittsfield Delegate Clerk: Marie Raftery, Stockbridge Delegate Treasurer: Charles Ogden, Egremont Alternate Kyle announced nominations will be taken from the floor. There were no nominations from the floor. Jamie Mullen moved to accept the nominations for the FY2018 slate of officers; seconded by Sarah Hudson. Unanimously approved. Nat announced only Delegates could authorize the Executive Committee to act on behalf of the Commission for fiscal Please vote and sign the authorization form. V. Endorsement of Committee Chair and At-Large Executive Committee Member Appointments for FY 2018 Kyle announced he did not have Committee Chair and At-large Member appointments finalized. The list will be ready for endorsement at the next meeting. VI. Approval of letters on Land Use Reform Legislation Nat explained the Regional Issues Committee reviewed old and new bills at multiple meetings. The Regional Issues Committee decided a separate letter should be sent to each Committee Chair since the bills are in different committees. Nat reviewed major sections in the bills with the Commission s comments. Kyle thanked all on the Regional Issues Committee and the town planners who worked on this review. Jamie thanked Nat for preparing the detailed summary. Kyle ask for a motion for the following letters: A. H.2420 An Act Building for the Future of the Commonwealth (Representatives Kulik and Peake) B. S.81 An Act Promoting Housing and Sustainable Development (Senator Chandler) C. S.94 An Act Improving Housing Opportunities and the Massachusetts Economy (sponsor: Senator Rodriques) Rene asked to bold or move the Commissions comments to the top of the paragraph. Rene suggested to stress the financial impacts, these changes are unfunded mandates. Rene commented on the Certificate Program for Municipalities. Rene felt the more affluent communities would get certified and other communities would not receive state grants if they did not get certified. Rene also suggested to include BRPC s Analysis spreadsheet comparison as an attachment to the letters. Roger commented the opposing language should be stronger and he also opposed the Certificate Program for Municipalities. Kate Fletcher asked for a comment to be added to the

5 Approval Not Required Subdivisions section about the negative impacts caused by encouraging strip development on tourism and our economy. After a discussion, Kyle asked for approval of the motion. Jamie Mullen moved to approve letters with the suggested changes to the language and to include the attachment; seconded by Rene Wood. Unanimously approved. VII. Approval to Summit Grant Application to the Department of Energy Resources for Affordable Access Regional Coordination (AARC) Program The Commission is requested to authorize the Executive Director to apply to DOER s new Affordable Access Regional Coordination Grant Program and to sign any resulting agreements or contracts. We are applying to DOER for this new program in order to build BRPC s capacity to serve as a resource to municipalities or other community-based organizations to increase energy efficiency and renewable energy opportunities for low incoming households in the county. This application will also provide training and education to local housing organizations and housing unit owners to promote access to affordable energy efficiency and renewable energy opportunities, such as maximizing incentive and rebate programs and streamlining renewable projects such as community solar or third party solar PV. The State has become aware that while individual homeowner, large business, and community-wide energy efficiency and renewable energy programs have been very successful across the state, the lower income population and landlords who provide many small-scale rental units are not taking advantage of the energy programs which are available. This new program is intended to build regional and local capacity to do so. No BRPC or local match is required. The grant application requires board approval. Senior Planner, Lauren Gaherty, explained the Energy Grant application that must be submitted by September. This is a new grant for regional planning commissions and councils of governments to address the following Energy Issues: High electricity cost Housing Rent burdened 30% or more of renter s income goes to rent Help low to moderate income and the aging population access the grant funds who do not spend money on energy savings. The grant will help reach renters, landlords, homeowners and small businesses to access the funds. Help link people to the current initiatives and social services BRPC would partner with other agencies and organizations such as Boards of Health, Elder Services, Councils on Aging, and Berkshire Community Action Council to save energy that will save money. Lauren also pointed out that in the future renewable energy, such as solar, could be an option. BRPC would first would connect people to the existing programs. Kenn Basler, Monterey Delegate, pointed out the DOER program goes well with the CDBG program their town was awarded. Low to moderate income homeowners who do not have the income to maintain their homes or the pride to ask for help. In Monterey, some homes are heated with electricity. Lauren commented that oil is the heat source in the hill towns and oil cost per square foot in rural areas is the highest. In Monterey, some homes are heated with electricity. Landlords own multiple properties and do not know how to access programs. Rene Wood moved to approve the Executive Director to apply to DOER s new Affordable Access Regional Coordination Grant Program and to sign any resulting agreements or contracts; seconded by Jamie Mullen. Unanimously approved. VIII. Approval of Executive Committee Actions between May 18, 2017 and July 27, 2017 Rene Wood moved to approve all Executive Committee actions between May 18 and July 27, 2017; seconded by Roger Bolton. Unanimously approved.

6 IX. Executive Director s Report A. Staff Changes at BRPC We have lost Senior Transportation Planner Emily Lindsey to the accompanying partner problem as her boyfriend, despite trying, was unable to find suitable employment in his field in the area and she has relocated to Denver to work at the Denver Regional Council of Governments. We also as part of the new fiscal year have made some internal reorganizations to clarify responsibilities and chain of command. The modified organization chart is attached. Assistant Director Tom Matuszko directly leads Community Planning efforts, and the Public Health Program Manager, Laura Kittross, and Environmental & Energy Program Manager, Melissa Provencher, report directly to him. Transportation Program Manager Clete Kus, Community & Economic Development Program Manager Pat Mullins, GIS, IT, and Data Program Manager Mark Maloy, and Office Manager Marianne Sniezek report directly to me, as does Tom as Assistant Director. Senior Planner Eammon Coughlin has moved over to Senior Transportation Planner, replacing Emily Lindsey. We are currently recruiting for a Senior Planner with a focus on zoning, land use and community planning and a new Transportation Planner. Nat informed all that BRPC also is advertising for a full-time Program Associate to work on CDBG contracts and other Community & Economic Development projects. Another Planner position has been posted to support the Age Friendly Berkshire initiatives. B. Ridership Survey for Berkshire Regional Transit Authority Given the high level of interest in improving public transportation in the Berkshires, the BRTA is doing an on-line ridership survey which may be found at Please share this in your communities and with as many people as possible. C. Status of District Local Technical Assistance, Community Compact, and Efficiency and Regionalization Programs in FY 2018 State Budget I am very pleased to report that DLTA was level funded at $2.8 million and Community Compact and Efficiency and Regionalization programs at $2.0 million each in the final state budget which was signed by the Governor. This was as he had requested and the House supported, with the Senate again not funding it but the Conference Committee did finally support the full amounts. Given the revenue issues in this year s budget, we feel very lucky that these programs were deemed worthy of continued support and thank Senator Hinds and Representatives Pignatelli, Marks, and Farley-Bouvier (as well as the late Representative Cariddi) for their strong support during the process. And thanks to our local officials and delegates and alternates who also voiced support directly to the delegation and the budget conference committee members. D. New Planning Board Member Training 6:30 p.m., Thursday, July 27 th, 3 rd Floor Conference Room at BRPC E. Recreational Marijuana Workshop for Municipal Officials (tentatively Thursday, August 31 st, Lenox Town Hall) With the passage of the new recreational marijuana legislation last week, and the pending action by Governor Baker on it, the clock is going to be moving fast for local actions on this topic and for at least one purpose, your community should already have this on your agenda. We are working hard to organize a workshop for local officials as quickly as possible. Tentatively we hope to hold the workshop on Thursday evening, August 31 st at Lenox Town Hall. Please pencil that in on your calendars and we will get definitive information out at soon as possible on the workshop. Assistant Director Tom Matuszko is taking the lead in our office and can be contacted at tmatuszko@berkshireplanning.org or , ext. 34. Rene commented this workshop will happen in the evening.

7 F. Nominations for 2017 Charles Kusik Award Nominations are due for the annual Charles Kusik Award which is to be presented at our 2017 Annual Meeting, scheduled for Thursday, October 19th. Nominations are due no later than September 1st so that the Executive Committee can discuss them at its September meeting. A copy of the nomination form is attached. Nat reported no nominations forms have been received to-date. G. Special Berkshire Transportation Studies in FY 2018 State Budget As you may have seen reported in the news media, the final FY 2018 State budget contains two directives to MassDOT for transportation studies over the coming several months. Representative Pignatelli was successful in directing MassDOT to study the possibility of creating an interchange between Lee and Westfield on the MassPike (presumably in Becket, Otis or Blandford) and Senator Hinds was successful in directing MassDOT to study the possibility of establishing seasonal train service between Pittsfield and New York City. We will be discussing these with MassDOT staff in the coming couple of weeks and they will be an agenda item for the next MPO meeting (probably in September). The turnpike interchange would also require involvement by the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission as Blandford is within their transportation planning jurisdiction. For further information, contact Transportation Program Manager Clete Kus at ckus@berkshireplanning.org or , ext. 20. H. EPA Brownfields Assessment Program Awards in the Berkshires We are very pleased to announce that BRPC was very successful again in the strong competition for EPA brownfields assessment funds, with a region-wide grant of $300,000 and grants to Great Barrington and North Adams of $300,000 each. These are 1% of the total number of grants awarded nation-wide and represent 1.6% of the funding nationwide. This is the second year in a row that BRPC has had direct responsibility for 3 successful grants. Environmental & Energy Program Manager Melissa Provencher deserves almost all the credit for this success. For information on BRPC s Brownfields Program, contact Melissa at , ext. 22 or mprovencher@berkshireplanning.org. Nat explained North Adams and Gt. Barrington received grants. The BRPC regional assessments program was funded. Lee and Adams will continue using last year s funds. Pittsfield did not apply for a grant. I. Municipal Hazard Mitigation Program Awards in the Berkshires BRPC will be working with Adams, Dalton, Hinsdale and Sheffield on updating their Natural Disaster Hazard Mitigation Plans, with funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to the towns. Having an up-to-date Hazard Mitigation Plan is a prerequisite for some FEMA grant programs. The project manager will be Senior Planner Lauren Gaherty. For information on this program, contact Lauren at , ext. 35 or at lgaherty@berkshireplanning.org. J. Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) Program Awards in Berkshires Four Berkshire municipalities were awarded these grant funds, from a new state program, to help them identify and prepare for climate change impacts which can be expected. The four towns are Adams, Lanesborough, Monterey and Williamstown. Senior Planner Lauren Gaherty prepared all but Monterey s application and will be working with at least Adams and Lanesborough in identifying their climate change vulnerabilities and developing strategies to overcome them. For information on this program, contact Lauren at lgaherty@berkshireplanning.org or , ext. 35. K Community Development Block Grant Awards in Berkshires Congratulations to Adams, Becket, Monterey and North Adams on their successful applications for CDBG funding in the 2017 round. BRPC staff developed the Becket application, working closely with Town officials, especially Town Administrator Ed Gibson. The work will focus on housing rehabilitation. It is not too soon, if your community has an interest in this grant program, to begin work on developing a competitive application for 2018! For further information on the

8 CDBG program or the applications, contact Community & Economic Development Program Manager Pat Mullins at or , ext. 17. L. Other none X. Adjournment Jamie Mullen made a motion to adjourn; seconded by Rene Wood. Unanimously approved. Adjourned at 6:55 pm. Materials distributed or presented during this meeting: Meeting Agenda Draft Meeting Minutes May 18, 2017 Letter RE: H.2420 An Act Building for the Future of the Commonwealth Letter RE: S.81 An Act Promoting Housing and Sustainable Development Letter RE: S.94 An Act Improving Housing Opportunities and the Massachusetts Economy Approval to Submit Grant App to DOER Affordable Access Regional Coordination Program Approval of Executive Committee Actions Memo Letter RE: BRPC Supports adoption of H Act Establishing the Mohawk Trail Woodlands Partnership Executive Director s Report BRPC Organizational Chart July 2017 New Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals Member Training Nomination Form Charles Kusik Award for Outstanding Contributions to Planning Del and Alt Yearly Authorization for Executive Committee to Act on Behalf of the Commission FY18 Meeting schedule Comparison of Land Use Reform

9 SHEILA IRVIN, Chair KYLE HANLON, Vice-Chair MARIE RAFTERY, Clerk CHARLES P. OGDEN, Treasurer BERKSHIRE REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION 1 FENN STREET, SUITE 201, PITTSFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS TELEPHONE (413) FAX (413) Massachusetts Relay Service: TTY: 771 or MEMORANDUM NATHANIEL W. KARNS, A.I.C.P. Executive Director TO: FROM: Berkshire Regional Planning Commission Nathaniel W. Karns, AICP, Executive Director DATE: September 20, 2017 SUBJ: Endorsement of Committee Chair and At-Large Executive Committee Member Appointments To wrap up organization for the FY 2018 Commission year Chair Kyle Hanlon has made Committee chair and At-Large Executive Committee appointments. According to the Commission By-Laws, these appointments are subject to Commission approval: Commission Development Committee Chair: Environmental Review Committee Chair: Regional Issues Committee Chair: At-Large Member with Transportation Expertise: At-Large Member: CJ Hoss (Pittsfield Alternate) Roger Bolton (Williamstown Alternate) James Mullen (New Marlborough Delegate) Samuel Haupt (Peru Delegate) John Duval (Adams Alternate)

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14 Massachusetts Rural Communities GREENFIELD ATHOL LOWELL PITTSFIELD NORTHAMPTON WORCESTER BOSTON SPRINGFIELD BARNSTABLE Density Less than 500 people/ sq mi. More than 500 people

15 Rural Policy Advisory Commission The Rural Policy Advisory Commission was created by the legislature in The Commission is governed under M.G.L. Chapter 23A: Section 66. The commission will serve as a research body for issues critical to the welfare and vitality of rural communities and shall: study, review and report on the status of rural communities and residents in the commonwealth; advise the general court and the executive branch of the impact of existing and proposed state laws, policies and regulations on rural communities; advance legislative and policy solutions that address rural needs; advocate to ensure that rural communities receive a fair share of state investment; promote collaboration among rural communities to improve efficiency in delivery of services; and develop and support new leadership in rural communities. Survey for the Rural Policy Advisory Commission Legislation MGL Chapter 23A: Section 66 Legislative Report SD FY15 Rural Policy Advisory Commission Report Demographics Report Analysis of Demographic Data Analysis of Demographic Data file size 2MB file size 4MB Members Undersecretary Chrystal Kornegay (Secretary of Housing and Economic Development or Designee) Representative Gail Cariddi (Speaker of the House or Designee) Corinne Fitzgerald (Senate President or Designee) Jay Coburn (Cape Cod Commission) Wendy Hudson (Nantucket Planning and Economic Development Commission) Nathaniel Karns (Berkshire Regional Planning Commission) Trish Settles (Central Massachusetts Regional Planning District Commission) Judy Terry (Pioneer Valley Planning Commission) Bill Veno (Martha s Vineyard Commission) Linda Dunlavy (Franklin Regional Council of Governments) Brian Bullock (At-Large) Dave Christopolis (At-Large) Donna Hamel (At-Large) Konnie Lukes (At-Large)

16 Berkshire Community Compacts City/Town Signing Date FY Eligible to apply Round 3 Year 1 or Year Two Compact Commitments Adams 10/15/ Yes Ed: Admin/Finance -Regional School District efficiencies and cost reduction initiatives HED: Preparing for Success - Stakeholder engagement and community participation initiative Alford 12/22/ Yes Regional Cooperation (SBSSP) Becket 12/22/ Yes Regional Cooperation (SBSSP) Cheshire 5/17/ Yes EOEEA: Sustainable development/land protection - Master Plan Clarksburg 10/15/ Yes EOEEA: Max energy efficiency/renewables - Green Community Designation Regional Cooperation - shared services Dalton Yes Egremont 12/22/ Yes Regional Cooperation (SBSSP) Florida Yes Great Barrington 12/22/ Yes HED: Preparing for Success - Site development and marketing Regional Cooperation (SBSSP) Tech:Other Hancock Yes Hinsdale 5/17/ Yes EOEEA: Sustainable development/land protection - Master Plan Fin Mgmt: Budget Document Trans: Complete streets Lanesborough 2/16/ No EOEEA: Implement Stormwater Management Measures - Stormwater management plan HED: Create an Economic Development Plan Regional Cooperation - shared services Lee 12/22/ Yes Regional Cooperation (SBSSP) Lenox 12/22/ Yes Regional Cooperation - For the Southern Berkshire Shared Services Program joint professional development, curriculum coordination, data support and technology integration. (SBSSP) Monterey 12/22/ Yes Fin Mgmt: Review Financial Management Structure HED: Housing Regional Cooperation (SBSSP) Mount Washington 12/22/ Yes Fin Mgmt: Review Financial Management Structure Regional Cooperation (SBSSP) Tech: Cyber-security New Ashford Yes

17 Berkshire Community Compacts City/Town Signing Date FY Eligible to apply Round 3 Year 1 or Year Two Compact Commitments New Marlborough 12/22/ Yes Regional Cooperation (SBSSP) North Adams 10/18/ Yes HED: Other - Urban Renewal Plan Otis 12/22/ Yes Regional Cooperation (SBSSP) Peru Yes Pittsfield 5/17/ Yes Fin Mgmt: Budget Doc - Budget document transparency Fin Mgmt: Long Range Planning - Financial forecast/long range planning Fin Mgmt: Review Fin Mgmt Structure - Finance structure review Richmond 12/22/ Yes Regional Cooperation (SBSSP) Sandisfield 12/22/ Yes Fin Mgmt: Financial Policies Fin Mgmt: Review Financial Management Structure Regional Cooperation (SBSSP) Savoy Yes Sheffield 12/22/ Yes Regional Cooperation (SBSSP) Stockbridge 12/22/ Yes Regional Cooperation (SBSSP) Tyringham 12/22/ Yes Regional Cooperation (SBSSP) Washington 12/22/ Yes Regional Cooperation (SBSSP) West Stockbridge 12/22/ Yes Regional Cooperation (SBSSP) Williamstown 5/17/ Yes Trans: Complete streets Windsor 2/16/ No Fin Mgmt: CIP Fin Mgmt: Long Range Planning

18 Community Compact Best Practice Frequently Asked Questions What communities are eligible for FY18 Community Compact? And are these optional? Beginning August 15, applications for Year 3 of the CCC Best Practice program can be submitted only by those municipalities who did not apply in FY17. So those who have not yet applied for a Compact are eligible, along with those who applied in FY16. While a great tool for cities and towns, Community Compacts are optional. All Compact agreements are subject to review by the Division of Local Services before they are signed. What is a Community Compact? The Community Compact is a voluntary, mutual agreement entered into between the Baker-Polito Administration and individual cities and towns of the Commonwealth. In a Community Compact, a community will agree to implement at least one best practice that they select from across a variety of areas. The community s chosen best practice(s) will be reviewed between the Commonwealth and the municipality to ensure that the best practice(s) chosen are unique to the municipality and reflect needed areas of improvement. Once approved, the written agreement will be generated and signed by both the municipality and the Commonwealth. The Compact also articulates the commitments the Commonwealth will make on behalf of all communities. How does a Community Compact work? What is the obligation of my community? Communities will self-identify the best practice(s) from the list on the Community Compact website. The community s chosen best practice(s) will be reviewed between the Commonwealth and the municipality to ensure that the best practice(s) chosen are unique to the municipality and reflect needed areas of improvement. Once approved, the written agreement will be generated and signed by both the municipality and the Commonwealth. The municipal leader will be required to sign and authorize the Compact for a community. Those communities participating in the Community Compact will, over a two year period, implement the best practice(s) they selected when entering into the Compact. Resources for technical assistance from the Commonwealth will be prioritized for those communities entered into a Compact and seeking to implement their best practice(s). The Division of Local Services serves as the primary point of entry for communities looking for resources in best practice development and implementation. If my community enters into a Compact, how long does it retain its Compact Community status? All municipalities that enter into a Compact maintain their Compact Community status through FY19. As noted in the first FAQ above, cities and towns that entered into Compacts in FY16 are eligible to enter into another Compact, but are not required to do so in order to maintain the Compact Community status. What is the obligation of the Commonwealth? The Commonwealth s commitments are found on the Community Compact website ( Commonwealth Commitments ). In addition, the Commonwealth will offer incentives to communities for entering into a Community Compact, including prioritizing Commonwealth technical assistance resources to help 1

19 reach your chosen best practice(s). Extra points on certain grants, and a grant program specifically for Compact communities, are also incentives included for participation in the program. Is there a deadline to apply for the Compact? How do I access the application? No. A community may choose to enter into the Community Compact at any time. Each Compact agreement will run for two years. During the two year period of each compact, the Division of Local Services will periodically check in with the communities to monitor progress toward the implementation of the selected best practice(s). The application can be found in the "Application" tab at the Community Compact website. You will need a passcode to fill out the Community Compact application. The passcode was included in a letter sent from the Lt Governor to municipal CEO s on August 15, If you do not have a passcode, please contact DLS by sending an to Sean Powers at powersse@dor.state.ma.us. Can communities have a joint Community Compact? Yes, regionalization of the Compact is an option. The Communities will individually fill out an application, choose the same best practice(s) and choose the regionalization option on the application. 2

20 Community Compact Best Practice Areas Year Three Education Best Practices 3 Best Practice: Map community s priorities, funding and assessments for children from birth to age eight in order to better align resources and achieve greater impact. Best Practice: Focus on college and career planning beginning in middle school and continuing through high school in order to ensure that all students have access to the opportunities that provide both experience and help to foster informed decisions about college and career pathways. Best Practice: Maximize opportunities for students to access specialized vocational education through collaborations between regional vocational technical schools, comprehensive high schools and community colleges. Best Practice: Understand projected changes in student enrollment and demographics and the impact of those changes on the school district s budget and operations in order to provide a district with the needed information to develop a strategic plan for its future. Best Practice: Coordinate and communicate key student- and school-level data in real-time in order to inform decision-making and reporting. Energy and Environment Best Practices Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Best Practice: Become a Green Community pursuant to M.G.L. c. 25A 10 to realize the energy & environmental benefits Best Practice: Adopt Zoning for Renewable Energy to reduce GHG emissions and fuel costs Best Practice: Expedite Permitting for Renewable Energy in order to provide clear and predicate approvals Best Practice: Complete an Energy Use Baseline so that the community can set goals and track performance Best Practice: Produce an Energy Use Reduction Plan that lists intended activities and the parties responsible Best Practice: Purchase Fuel-Efficient or Electric Vehicles to increase vehicle efficiency and reduce GHG emissions and fuel costs Best Practice: Encourage or Require Energy Efficient & Sustainable Construction to reduce energy & resource use in homes & businesses Best Practice: Realize or Exceed a Green Community Obligation in order to further reduce emissions & costs Best Practice: Obtain Green Community 2.0 Status in order to establish a municipal GHG reduction target Best Practice: Construct Zero Energy Buildings to eliminate GHG emissions, reduce cost, & enhance resiliency Best Practice: Provide Electric Vehicle Infrastructure to facilitate the purchase & use of electric vehicles Best Practice: Complete a Community Energy Audit & Manage Energy Consumption to use energy effectively and save money Best Practice: Undertake a Behavioral Effort to Reduce Energy Use to educate and inspire people to cut their energy use Climate Change Mitigation Best Practice: Plan Ahead to mitigate climate change by establishing goals, creating an action plan, assigning responsibility, and tracking progress Best Practice: Use Renewable Energy instead of fossil fuels by generating or purchasing clean power and by zoning for renewable power generation Best Practice: Increase Energy Efficiency in order to reduce power consumption, fuel costs, and GHG emissions Best Practice: Promote Fuel Efficient Transportation to reduce municipal transportation emissions & those from people living/working in the community Best Practice: Encourage Sustainable Development to reduce, through higher density & mixed-use, the number distance of car trips & resulting GHG emissions Best Practice: Protect and Manage Natural Resources to reduce carbon emissions from loss of natural land cover and to encourage carbon sequestration

21 Best Practice: Reduce Municipal Solid Waste and Increase Recycling in order to reduce GHG emissions associated with solid waste disposal Best Practice: Conserve Water & Increase the Efficiency of Municipal Water/Wastewater Systems as they consume a lot of energy Climate Change Adaptation & Resilience Best Practice: Protect Vulnerable Populations to decrease risk to people who are more susceptible to climate change effects & less able to adapt Best Practice: Inventory Existing Resources & Assess Vulnerabilities to enable the community to prioritize climate change adaptation strategies Best Practice: Plan for Climate Change Adaptation to assess cost, risk, and potential solutions and produce a plan of action to enhance municipal resiliency Best Practice: Implement Structural Improvements & Nature Based Approaches to protect buildings and infrastructure Best Practice: Encourage Sound Land Use that minimizes risk and costs associated with climate change for new development and redevelopment projects Best Practice: Prepare for Emergencies by completing an Emergency Management Plan or otherwise readying the community for storm events Sustainable Development and Land Protection Best Practice: Complete a Master or Open Space & Recreation Plan to guide land conservation & development decisions including zoning & land acquisition Best Practice: Zone for Natural Resource Protection, Transfer of Development Rights, Traditional Neighborhood, or Transit Oriented Development Best Practice: Adopt a Tree Retention Bylaw to preserve tree cover when a parcel is subdivided or redeveloped Best Practice: Invest in Land Conservation or Park Creation/Restoration to protect key parcels of land from development & provide recreational opportunities Best Practice: Enhance Consistency with a Land Use Priority Plan to achieve shared local, regional, and state land conservation & development goals Water Resource Management Best Practice: Require Localized Flood Protection Best Practices to manage water movement & protect lives, public safety, infrastructure, & critical assets Best Practice: Implement Stormwater Management Measures so that land use regulations help promote infiltration, control flooding, and reduce pollution Best Practice: Manage Water System Assets so that the condition of infrastructure is known & a plan for regular maintenance & rehabilitation is implemented Best Practice: Complete Water Audits & Mitigate Leaks to reduce distribution system water losses and associated budgetary & environmental impacts Best Practice: Protect Public Water Sources in order to reduce potential threats to water quality and the public health of system customers Best Practice: Implement Water Conservation Measures to ensure long-term water resource sustainability, enable growth, & avoid new source development Best Practice: Address Infiltration and Inflow to reduce unintended storm and waste water in the system and the cost of treating it Best Practice: Implement Energy Efficiency Measures and Generate Clean Energy to reduce energy bills and GHG emissions Best Practice: Utilize Advanced Financing Tools such as an enterprise fund, stormwater utility, or water bank to finance water/waste/storm water systems Best Practice: Establish Full Cost Pricing so that users pay the true cost for all aspects of water, sewer, or storm water management & service delivery Best Practice: Institute an Inter-Municipal Agreement in order to realize the economic and technical efficiencies of a regional approach to water infrastructure 4

22 Waste Management Best Practice: Enhance Waste Ban Compliance so that recyclable and hazardous materials are diverted from the waste stream and reused or recycled Best Practice: Develop Waste Contracts that are fiscally, environmentally, and otherwise beneficial to the community Best Practice: Reduce Municipal Solid Waste and Increase Recycling by following smart waste practices Site Cleanup Best Practice: Complete a Brownfields Inventory so that the community is aware of all abandoned & underutilized properties & can develop plan of action Best Practice: Conduct Site Assessments to determine the nature and extent of contamination and develop a plan of action Best Practice: Clean Sites to prevent further releases or the spreading of contaminants and to bring sites back into productive use Best Practice: Offer Tax Incentives to help property owners finance sometimes expensive site assessment and remediation Best Practice: Update Regulations to remove barriers to redevelopment and encourage productive reuse of brownfield sites Best Practice: Track Cleaned Sites with Activity and Use Limitations in order to ensure that future property uses don t endanger public health Best Practice: Engage & Educate Property Owners and the Public to enhance citizen safety and understanding of brownfield issues, resources, and reuse plans Local Agriculture and Silviculture Best Practice: Adopt a Right to Farm By-law/Ordinance to clearly indicate that agriculture is a local priority and to minimize abutter conflicts Best Practice: Establish an Agricultural Commission to advocate for local farms, administer a right to farm bylaw, & otherwise represent agricultural interests Best Practice: Establish a Farmers Market to provide a venue for local farmers to sell and for residents to purchase locally grown farm products Best Practice: Support Sustainable Forestry to help the forest economy in rural areas, improve forest habitats, and assist in the conservation of forest land Best Practice: Increase Agricultural Marketing to enhance awareness and patronage of local agricultural businesses Best Practice: Support Aquaculture to help local businesses that cultivate aquatic plants or animals Best Practice: Promote Urban Agriculture in order to increase access to fresh produce and encourage community revitalization Best Practice: Protect Farm and Commercial Forest Land permanently through zoning and land acquisition Best Practice: Source Locally Grown or Produced Foods for Local Schools to provide healthier and better tasting meals and to benefit local farmers Best Practice: Support Local Horticulture and Floriculture to benefit local businesses & enhance the largest agricultural industry in Massachusetts Best Practice: Plant Trees in order to reduce energy use, fuel costs, GHG emissions & stormwater runoff & increase property values Financial Management Best Practices 5 Best Practice: Establish a Budget document that details all revenues and expenditures, provides a narrative describing priorities and challenges, and offers clear and transparent communication of financial policies to residents and businesses. Best Practice: Develop, document and implement Financial Policies and Practices including reserve levels, capital financing, and use of Free Cash. Such policies should identify the responsible parties and procedural steps necessary to carrying out the directed strategy or action. Best Practice: Develop and utilize a Long-range Planning/Forecasting Model that assesses both short-term and longterm financial implications of current and proposed policies, programs and assumptions over a multi-year period. Best Practice: Prepare a Capital Improvement Plan that reflects a community s needs, is reviewed and updated annually, and fits within a financing plan that reflects the community s ability to pay.

23 6 Best Practice: Review and evaluate Financial Management Structure to ensure that the structure and reporting relationships of the community s finance offices support accountability and a cohesive financial team process. Best Practice: Utilize Financial Trend Monitoring, modeled after the ICMA s Financial Trend Monitoring System (FTMS). Housing and Economic Development Best Practices Preparing for Success Best Practice: Create an Economic Development Plan that engages diverse stakeholders, leverages local and regional economic strengths and assets, encourages innovation and entrepreneurship, and/or promotes workforce development planning and implementation. Best Practice: Align Land Use Regulations, especially zoning, capital investments, and other municipal actions with Housing Development, Economic Development, Master, Land Use Priority or other plans for future growth. Promote development and reuse of previously developed sites. Best Practice: Create and Distribute an Economic Development Guide/Manual to not only promote development goals and priorities, but also specifically and clearly outlines the community s policies and procedures related to zoning and permitting. Best Practice: Create Opportunities for Engaging Diverse Stakeholders in economic development efforts, such as to assist with identification of priority development projects, improve local permitting processes, and proactively address obstacles to housing/job creation. Best Practice: Create Cross-Sector Partnerships to help carry out community-driven responses to community-defined issues and opportunities for economic development. Best Practice: Create a District Management Entity that engages public/private stakeholders to develop and support downtown revitalization efforts. Best Practice: Adopt as-of-right Zoning and/or Streamlined Permitting to promote development in priority districts. Best Practice: Adopt Zoning for Mixed-Use Development, including Transit Oriented Development, where appropriate. Best Practice: Adopt Chapter 40R Smart Growth zoning to facilitate the creation of dense residential or mixed-use smart growth zoning districts, including a high percentage of affordable housing units, to be located near transit stations, in areas of concentrated development such as existing city and town centers, and in other highly suitable locations. Competitiveness Best Practice: Engage in an Economic Development Self-Assessment exercise to identify strengths, weaknesses, and areas of opportunity. Best Practice: Establish and Utilize Performance Data to evaluate the competitiveness of the community, conduct year to year comparisons, and measure performance against comparable communities. Best Practice: Create a Public Dashboard to benchmark, monitor, and communicate to the public regarding various housing and economic development performance measures. Housing Best Practice: Create a Housing Production Plan (HPP) that accounts for changing demographics, including young families, changing workforce, and an aging population. Best Practice: Amend Zoning By-Laws to allow for increased density and housing opportunities in a manner that is consistent with neighborhood character. Best Practice: Develop Sector Strategies and Plans in collaboration with various providers and stakeholders to address homelessness for specific high need population groups, such as homeless youth, veterans, and/or families. Best Practice: Complete an Assessment of Fair Housing Report, including strategic goals in alignment with HUD s new rules to affirmatively further fair housing. Using HUD data, local data and knowledge, a significant community participation process, and the assessment tool provided by HUD, the community will prepare, complete, and submit its AFH to HUD. Urban Renewal Planning Best Practice: Determine need and appropriateness of establishing an Urban Renewal Entity in accordance with MGL chapter 121B. If prepared to proceed, develop action plan and timeline for the creation of the urban renewal entity. Best Practice: Prepare an Urban Renewal Plan Application in accordance with MGL chapter 121B in partnership with the urban renewal entity.

24 Human Resources Best Practices 7 Best Practice: Cost-Out Collective Bargaining proposals so that the impact of the total package is known. This provides the municipality with a clear understanding of both short-term and long-term budgetary impacts. Best Practice: Develop a Workplace Safety program so that the risk of on-the-job injuries is minimized. Best Practice: Develop a formal Wage and Classification Plan that details, at a minimum, job descriptions, employee grades, and salary ranges, thereby providing the municipality with a tool to make pay decisions that are reasonable in comparison to similar work being carried out in all areas of city/town government. Best Practice: Develop Employee Policies and Procedures for things such as discrimination, sexual harassment, information technology use, drug and alcohol, use of social media, and town-owned vehicles. Best Practice: Manage employee benefit costs such as health insurance, dental insurance, unemployment insurance, and worker s compensation/111f; includes eligibility review and evaluation of insurance choices. Best Practice: Prepare a Succession Plan to help address the pending wave of retirements that will challenge a municipality s ability to maintain service levels. Best Practice: Explore Centralized Human Resources/Personnel Operations to improve service delivery and build efficiencies. Information Technology Best Practices Strategic Planning Best Practice: Develop a Long-Term IT Financial Strategy to include capital and operating expenses. Best Practice: Develop a Municipal IT Consolidation Strategy that maximizes technology investments across schools, public safety and municipal buildings. Best Practice: Develop a Regional Shared IT Services Program that leads to productive partnerships across multiple communities and/or school districts to maximize regional technology investments. Best Practice: Develop a Comprehensive IT Strategy focused on better aligning technology investment with short and long-term organizational priorities. Best Practice: Implement a Cyber Security Training Program that ensures staff is aware of, know how to prevent and know how to respond to cyber security threats. Transparency & Data Standards Best Practice: Develop an Open Data Policy or Ordinance that increases transparency and makes electronic data available in a machine-readable format. Best Practice: Deploy an Open Checkbook and/or Open Budget Solution that is easily consumed by the public and promotes transparency. Best Practice: Implement Address and Parcel Data Standards that lead to better quality mapping, facilitate the deployment of NextGen911, create a foundation for system integration and open opportunities for collaboration with peer communities and state government. Best Practice: Deploy Municipal Data Standards that lead to municipal system integration leading to performance management capabilities. Best Practice: Deploy a Regional Data Sharing Program that promotes better communication, collaboration or benchmarking with other communities. Best Practice: Deploy a Public Information Request Solution that improves the public request intake and tracking process. Business Continuity Best Practice: Perform an IT Assessment that results in a written evaluation and recommendations, including a review of organizational structure and staffing. Best Practice: Implement an Offsite Backup Solution that results in municipal data being stored safely offsite, and includes relevant policies and procedures to ensure effective ongoing backup. Best Practice: Implement a Solution to Digitize Paper Records that results in operational efficiencies and improved responsiveness to the public. Best Practice: Develop Resiliency, Recovery and Contingency Plans that are aligned with community realities and position the community to effectively manage unforeseen events. Best Practice: Perform a Cyber Security Assessment to analyze whether there is risk of unauthorized access, implement or improve policies and procedures appropriate for the technology environment and identify steps to remediate any problems identified.

25 Citizen Engagement Best Practice: Implement a Citizen Engagement Communication Plan that leverages technology to engage the public through basic electronic communication channels and ensures that internal staff is positioned to support these initiatives. Best Practice: Implement a Citizen Engagement Transactional Plan focused on on-demand services and interaction with the public. Best Practice: Implement a Citizen Engagement Co-Creation Plan focused on enhancing residents ability to participate in and influence decisions made by their local government. Public Accessibility Best Practice Best Practice: Undertake an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Self-Evaluation and Develop a Transition Plan to comply with Federal civil rights laws that require public buildings to be accessible to persons with disabilities. Public Safety Best Practices Best Practice: Conduct Active Shooter Preparedness and Response Training in collaboration with the Massachusetts State Police Tactical Operations (STOP) Team, onsite with local law enforcement. Best Practice: Establish an Emergency Preparedness Plan in partnership with the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) to develop and enhance a community s disaster and emergency response capabilities. Best Practice: Establish Hazardous Material Response Protocols in conjunction with Regional Hazardous Materials Response Teams under the Department of Fire Services, to enable cities and towns to protect their citizens, the environment, and property during incidents involving a release or potential release of hazardous materials. Best Practice: Hold In-service Training Programs for Municipal Police to better prepare local police officers and first responders for incidents involving domestic violence, mental health disorders, and substance abuse. Best Practice: Convene an opioid task force, consisting of key stakeholders, to identify, implement, coordinate and improve strategies around the prevention, intervention, treatment and recovery of substance use disorders. Best Practice: Adopt Standardized Tools for Domestic Violence Cases by partnering law enforcement with local domestic violence organizations to adopt a best practice policy on training and implementation of standardized, evidence informed danger and strangulation tools. Municipalities are encouraged to apply individually or as a collective. Best Practice: Participate in the State Law Enforcement Bureau (SLEB) initiative, which connects local police with the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) to investigate local retailers that are illegally trafficking SNAP benefits. DTA will provide data analysis, investigative supports, and other tools to help law enforcement shut down these criminals in communities across the Commonwealth. Regionalization/Shared Services Best Practice: Regionalize services and share resources among municipalities for efficient and effective service delivery to residents and taxpayers in this era of shrinking budgets, loss of seasoned employees to retirement, and increased need for service improvements. Transportation / Public Works Best Practices Citizen Safety Best Practice: Develop a Safe and Mobile Older Drivers plan for the aging of the population by proactively addressing older driver issues, including education for older road users, infrastructure improvements, and transportation options. Best Practice: Enhance citizen safety by establishing community-based programs to increase pedestrian, automobile and motorcycle safety. The community will demonstrate participation in the Commonwealth s Office of Public Safety and Security s trainings and conferences as well as the dissemination of public safety information to citizens. Best Practice: Ensure Safe Infrastructure so as to provide a safer environment for all users and modes by implementing traffic engineering enhancements. The municipality will demonstrate regular and routine improvements on locally-funded roads, such as cutting back vegetation at intersections where it is known to interfere with sight distance, clearing brush that obscures traffic signage, renewing or installing pavement markings, conducting nighttime surveys to check visibility and retro reflectivity, implementing traffic calming measures at known high crash locations. 8

26 Active Transportation Best Practice: Implement the Complete Streets Program by becoming certified through MassDOT and demonstrate the regular and routine inclusion of complete streets design elements and infrastructure on locally-funded roads. Best Practice: Utilize Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) fundamentals to create zoning around transit centers that maximizes bike, pedestrian, and transit use and which allows for lower levels of required parking and mixed use to put needed amenities near population centers. Best Practice: Develop a Safe Routes to School program that also includes student education on pedestrian safety. Training Best Practice: Participate in the Bay State Roads, which provides on-going training and helps municipalities share ideas and information with other communities about state of the art planning, design, and operational information for city and town public works managers. Asset and Infrastructure Management Best Practice: Inventory and Geo-Code all public works assets so that a database of every public works asset is created, geocoded and condition rated, which is used to inform capital planning, as well as emergency repair. Best Practice: Develop a Pavement Condition Index that rates street condition for the municipality. Best Practice: Develop a Multi-Year Vehicle Maintenance and Replacement Plan for their municipal vehicle fleet. Best Practice: Develop a Bridge / Culvert Preventative Maintenance plan to help prolong the life of these critical transportation assets. 9

27 EXCERPT FROM FULL ANNOUNCEMENT AVAIALBLE AT: EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF ENERGY & ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS MATTHEW BEATON, SECRETARY GRANT ANNOUNCEMENT PLANNING ASSISTANCE GRANTS DATED: SEPTEMBER 19, 2017 RESPONSES DUE: OCTOBER 23, 2017 OVERVIEW AND GOALS: The Executive Office of Energy & Environmental Affairs (EEA) hereby offers Massachusetts municipalities technical assistance to improve their land use practices. Through this announcement, Matthew Beaton, Secretary of the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (the Secretary), makes available grant funding to the Commonwealth s municipalities and Regional Planning Agencies in support of their efforts to plan, regulate (zone), and act to conserve and develop land consistent with the Massachusetts Sustainable Development Principles. These Planning Assistance Grants are part of an effort to encourage municipalities to implement land use regulations that are consistent with the Baker Administration s land conservation and development objectives including reduction of land, energy, and natural resource consumption, provision of sufficient and diverse housing, and mitigation of/preparation for climate change. Funds are intended to help communities undertake the public process and retain appropriate technical expertise. PROJECT DEFINITION: EEA seeks to further implementation of the MA Sustainable Development Principles. Applications that implement techniques found in the Smart Growth Toolkit are desirable. Applicants are encouraged to review the Sustainable Development Principles (see Appendix B) and the Massachusetts Smart Growth Toolkit (see In order to advance specific priorities $250,000 in funding will be set-aside for each of the following: 1. Zoning for sustainable housing production (e.g. Accessory Dwelling Units, 40R Smart Growth Zoning, Transit Oriented Development, or Mixed-Use zoning); 2. Actions implementing the results of a Climate Vulnerability Assessment priorities that were identified either through the Community Resilience Building Framework under the MA Vulnerability Preparedness Program or a similar Climate Vulnerability Assessment; 3. Zoning that results in permanent land conservation (e.g. Natural Resource Protection Zoning or Transfer of Development Rights); and 4. Mitigation of climate change through zoning and other regulations that reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions via a better mix of land uses, more compact growth, enhanced design, etc. In the event insufficient proposals are received to utilize funds set aside in each of these categories funds will be reassigned at EEA s discretion to fund other grant proposals. Responses can be for a project within a single municipality or for an implementation activity across a region. For example, five communities interested in passing a Village Center bylaw are encouraged to

28 EXCERPT FROM FULL ANNOUNCEMENT AVAIALBLE AT: submit a regional application. Regional Responses will require the endorsement via a letter of support from any community that is to be the subject of a proposal. Tasks suitable for funding under this RFR include but are not limited to: o Actions responsive to the four priories listed above: - Zoning for sustainable housing production (e.g. Accessory Dwelling Units, 40R Smart Growth Zoning, Transit Oriented Development, or Mixed-Use); - Actions implementing the results of a Climate Vulnerability Assessment priorities that were identified either through the Community Resilience Building Framework under the MA Vulnerability Preparedness Program or a similar Climate Vulnerability Assessment; - Zoning that results in permanent land conservation (e.g. Natural Resource Protection Zoning or Transfer of Development Rights); and - Mitigation of climate change through zoning and other regulations that reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions via a better mix of land uses, more compact growth, enhanced design, etc. o Implementation of techniques from the Smart Growth/Smart Energy Toolkit - Smart Parking, Form Based Codes, Low Impact Development, etc. o Rezoning for consistency with a Master Plan or implementation of specific actions or recommendations from a Master Plan. o Development of a mixed-use zoning district (e.g. mill building reuse, Village Center) o Feasibility studies, land-use analyses, and other plans necessary for successful redevelopment of sites and buildings o Zoning for agriculture, forestry preservation, or tree retention; o Work necessary to utilize a package wastewater treatment plant to advance development under village center or other smart growth consistent zoning; o Development of complete streets policy and plans that enable biking and walking oinstead of driving; and o Drafting a Water Conservation Plan that meets state water conservation standards GRANT REQUIREMENTS: As a condition of funding assistance contracts executed under this RFR will include a clause noting that grant recipients agree to share the end product of the funded activities with EEA and with other communities in the Commonwealth through reports, meetings, workshops, and to highlight these activities in print, on the web or other media outlets. EEA is to be credited for project funding. All contracts resulting from this RFR will require a brief project update every quarter. For regional responses each community must be addressed. These updates will include a summary of tasks achieved and include all public outreach materials created during this period. Grantees must seek appropriate approval for any plan or regulation produced via a grant from this Program. For example, a vote of town meeting or city council is expected for any zoning developed with grant funds (EEA recognizes that the outcome of the vote cannot be guaranteed). A finalreport is also required. This final report must include a copy of the completed tasks as contracted (by-laws, site plans, etc.). An electronic and paper copy of all deliverables must be sent to EEA.

29 BERKSHIRE REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION 1 FENN STREET, SUITE 201, PITTSFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS TELEPHONE (413) FAX (413) KYLE HANLON, Chair SHEILA IRVIN, Vice-Chair MARIE RAFTERY, Clerk CHARLES P. OGDEN, Treasurer NATHANIEL W. KARNS, A.I.C.P. Executive Director MEMORANDUM TO: FROM: Delegates and Alternates, Berkshire Regional Planning Commission Nathaniel W. Karns, AICP, Executive Director DATE: September 12, 2017 SUBJ: Approval of Executive Committee Actions In accordance with the bylaws, all actions taken by the Executive Committee on the Commission s behalf must be endorsed at the next Commission meeting. The Executive Committee took the following actions at its August 3, 2017 meeting: Approved the appointment of Commission Representatives to Related Groups Commission Representatives to Related Groups: Westfield River Wild and Scenic Advisory Committee Representative: Marie Raftery (Stockbridge) Berkshire Metropolitan Planning Organization Representative: Chair Kyle Hanlon (North Adams); Alternate: Sam Haupt (Peru); second Alternate: Jack Hickey (Lanesborough) Berkshire Brownfields Committee Jack Hickey (Lanesborough) Berkshire Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy Committee Roger Bolton (Williamstown) Sustainable Berkshires Plan Consortium Representative: James Mullen (New Marlborough); Alternate: Roger Bolton (Williamstown) Mohawk Trail Woodlands Partnership Project Advisory Committee Representative: Kyle Hanlon (North Adams) Approved the Executive Director on behalf of the Commission to Enter into Agreements with Municipalities for Technical Assistance Services for FY 2018 Approval was granted for the Executive Director to enter into intergovernmental agreements with our municipalities to provide technical assistance as requested over the course of FY O:\Commission\Full Commission Meetings\FY2018\ \FCMtg-Approvals AUG and SEPT 2017.docx

30 Approved the Executive Director on behalf of the Commission to Submit Grant Application to Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health for the Empowered Communities for a Healthier Nation Initiative The Executive Committee authorized the Executive Director to submit a grant to the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health for the Empowered Communities for a Healthier Nation Initiative program and to sign any resulting agreements and contracts. The purpose of this 3-Year grant ($900,000 - $1,050,000 per 3-year project period) is to support a new initiative entitled the WESTSIDE/MORNINGSIDE EMPOWERMENT PROJECT (WMEP). WMEP will support the development of new community partnerships and evidence-based programming to reduce opioid misuse and overdoses/poisonings in the Westside and Morningside (and the downtown connective corridor) neighborhoods of Pittsfield. The grant deadline was August 1. No BRPC match is required. Approved the Executive Director on behalf of the Commission to Submit Grant Application to Western Massachusetts Homeland Security Council for Phase II Children in Disasters Project The Executive Committee authorized the Executive Director to submit a grant application to the Western Massachusetts Homeland Security Council for Phase II Children in Disasters Project and to sign any resulting agreements and contracts. This is a follow-up to last year s very successful project to investigate best practices on how to manage children who are caught in the midst of a disaster and to insure their safety and facilitate reunification with their family. No BRPC match is required. Approved the Executive Director on behalf of the Commission to Submit Grant Application to the AARP Community Challenge Grant Program The Executive Committee authorized the Executive Director to submit a grant application to the AARP Community Challenge Grant for just under $10,000 and to sign any resulting agreements and contracts. Grant funds will be used to design and implement an Age Friendly Berkshires recognition program for individuals, municipalities and businesses who have made strides toward a more age friendly Berkshire County. No BRPC match is required; however, matching funds of $1,200 have been set aside from the BTI Tufts Health Plan Foundation Grant for a recognition event in October. The Executive Committee took the following actions at its September 11, 2017 meeting: Approved the Environmental Review Committee to submit the final comment letter on a Notice of Project Change for the Daley Development (Lee) The Executive Committee authorized the Environmental Review Committee to submit a comment letter to the Secretary of Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs on a notice of project change for the Daley Development in Lee. This is a solid waste transfer station on Rte. 102 we reviewed in August Staff gathered information and drafted a comment letter. There was an Environmental Review Committee meeting on Monday September 11 th on this project and the committee is trying to finalize the letter this week. Comments are due to MEPA no later than September 26th. Approved the Executive Director on behalf of the Commission to Submit Grant Application to Department of Protection for MS4 (Stormwater) Grant The Executive Committee authorized the Executive Director to submit a grant application to the Department of Environmental Protection for to provide assistance to our municipalities who must comply with the new MS4 municipal stormwater permitting requirements and to sign any resulting agreements and contracts. No BRPC match is required. O:\Commission\Full Commission Meetings\FY2018\ \FCMtg-Approvals AUG and SEPT 2017.docx

31 KYLE HANLON, Chair SHEILA IRVIN, Vice-Chair MARIE RAFTERY, Clerk CHARLES P. OGDEN, Treasurer BERKSHIRE REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION 1 FENN STREET, SUITE 201, PITTSFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS TELEPHONE (413) FAX (413) Massachusetts Relay Service: TTY: 771 or NATHANIEL W. KARNS, A.I.C.P. Executive Director MEMORANDUM TO: FROM: Delegates & Alternates, Berkshire Regional Planning Commission Nathaniel W. Karns, AICP, Executive Director DATE: September 20, 2017 SUBJ: Executive Director s Report A number of items deserve mention: A. New Staff at BRPC We have filled several vacant positions, with one more to go. Peg (Margaret) McDonough is a new Planner who is focusing on Age-Friendly Berkshires. Peg has a number of years of experience in real estate and banking and with a watershed council and a Masters in Regional Planning from U.Mass. Justin Gilmore started as a Transportation Planner this week. Justin graduated from U.Mass in May with a dual Master of Regional Planning and Master of Science in Sustainability Science. Christopher Gruba will be starting no later than October 3 rd as Senior Land Use Planner and will focus on land use regulations and planning. Chris has eleven years of experience as a local planner, primarily focused on development review and zoning enforcement in Michigan, Florida and Nevada. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Urban and Regional Planning. We are still aggressively working to fill the vacant, full-time Community Development Program Associate and have several interviews next week. With several active or starting Community Development Block Grant programs we are administering for various towns, it is critical that this position be filled quickly. B. Passage of 40R Smart Growth Overlay District in Great Barrington Congratulations to Great Barrington in its passage of only the second 40R district in the Berkshires. 40R districts allow for higher density multi-family housing by-right in appropriate areas with considerable services and employment readily accessible. Pittsfield led the way with its downtown 40R district several years ago and has expanded that district twice in the intervening years. The Pittsfield district has been part of their success in attracting young workers to relocate to Pittsfield and the market rate rental housing that has been developed in the downtown has proven to be very desirable. Hopefully the Great Barrington district will prove to be equally successful and help overcome the lack of affordable housing for the workforce that southern Berkshire is experiencing. Lee and Adams are both also working towards adoption of 40R districts. For further information contact GIS, Data & IT Manager Mark Maloy at , ext. 29 or mmaloy@berkshireplanning.org or Community & Economic Development Program Manager Pat Mullins at , ext. 17 or pmullins@berkshireplanning.org.

32 C. BRPC Regional Issues Committee Short Term Rental Legislation The Regional Issues Committee is working on developing comments on the Short Term Rental legislation which is under consideration in the legislature (H.3454 and S.1553). The Committee will next meet on Wednesday, October 4 th at 4 p.m. at BRPC. The legislature had not been expected to move this along until the winter but news this week indicates it may move into active consideration this month. The issues involved are much more complex than simply taxing short-term accommodations, which actually seems to be non-controversial. For further information contact Executive Director Nat Karns at , ext. 26 or nkarns@berkshireplanning.org. D Moving Together Conference September 28 th, Boston Park Plaza Hotel Attached is the program MassDOT s Moving Together Conference scheduled for Thursday, September 28 th at the Boston Park Plaza Hotel. Further conference information is available at: E. BRPC Annual Meeting Thursday, October 19 th, Pittsfield Country Club Attached is the announcement and registration information for BRPC s 51 st Annual Meeting. Our guest speaker, Thomas Krens, has a very engaging presentation on the North Adams Cultural Development Plan and the planned Extreme Model Railroad and Contemporary Architecture Museum which promise to continue the transformation of North Adams. We will also be presenting this year s Charles Kusik Award for Outstanding Contributions to Berkshire County. For further information contact Office Assistant Shannon Zaleski at szaleski@berkshireplanning.org or , ext. 10. F. Citizen Planner Training Collaborative Berkshire Workshops Thursday, November 2 nd and Thursday, November 9 th, BRPC Two Citizen Planner Training Collaborative Berkshire workshops will be held at BRPC this fall. On November 2 nd, from 6-8 p.m., Don Dubendorf will be leading the workshop on Roles and Responsibilities for Planning & Zoning Boards, Part 2. Municipal Vulnerability and Resilience Planning will be held on November 9 th starting at 6 p.m. The workshop leaders will be Stefanie Covino, Coordinator with Mass Audubon, and Trish Garrigan, Green Infrastructure Coordinator for EPA Region 1- New England. Registration information will be available in the next few days and we will post it on our website and it will be available at For further information, contact Assistant Director Tom Matuszko at , ext. 34 or tmatuszko@berkshireplanning.org. G. Municipal ADA Grant Program Attached is a grant program announcement from the Massachusetts Office on Disability which can be used to develop up-to-date municipal ADA plans or to pay for ADA improvements. For further information, contact Community & Economic Development Program Manager Pat Mullins at , ext. 17 or pmullins@berkshireplanning.org. H. DHCD Community Scale Housing Initiative The Massachusetts Department of Housing & Community Development has a new program aimed at smaller scale affordable housing projects which would be more suitable for our small towns than traditional affordable housing programs. They have just awarded the first round of three projects, two of which only entail nine units each. A second round of applications is scheduled for spring, Program information is available at For further information, contact Community & Economic Development Program Manager Pat Mullins at , ext. 17 or pmullins@berkshireplanning.org. I. Massachusetts Clean Energy Center Programs for Municipalities The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center has just announced the launch of the 2018 Solarize Mass and Solarize Mass Plus programs. Attached is a list of three Mass Clean Energy Center municipal programs and five Clean Heating and Cooling for Commercial and Industrial (including municipal buildings) programs. A few Berkshire municipalities have taken advantage or one or more of these programs; most have not but

33 we would encourage all to investigate them both for the benefit to the environment and the benefit to municipal budgets. For more information contact Senior Planner Lauren Gaherty at , ext. 35 or J. Congratulations to Sheffield and Washington on Division of Ecological Restoration Grants of Culvert Replacement Designs Sheffield and Washington have been awarded grants from the Division of Ecological Restoration (DER) to design replacement culverts which will provide passage for fish and wildlife and improve the towns infrastructure and storm resilience by reducing flood impacts. This is a new program; twelve communities across Massachusetts received funding in this initial round. Attachments (4): 2017 Moving Together Conference BRPC Annual Meeting Municipal ADA Grant Program Massachusetts Clean Energy Center Programs for Municipalities and Clean Heating and Cooling for Commercial and Industrial

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38 ANNUAL MEETING BERKSHIRE REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION Thursday Oct. 19, :30pm Country Club of Pittsfield 639 South Street Keynote Speaker Thomas Krens Director Emeritus at The Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation and President of EMRCA, Inc. on the Extreme Model Railroad and Contemporary Architecture Museum and the North Adams Cultural Development Plan Click Here to Register

39 Massachusetts Disability Quarterly A Publication from the Massachusetts Office On Disability Vol. 2 Issue 4 Full & Equal Participation in All Aspects of Life by All Persons With Disabilities Spring 2017 Municipal ADA Grant Program Now Accepting Applications Rita DiNunzio The Massachusetts Office on Disability (MOD) is pleased to announce the opening of the Municipal ADA Improvement Grant Program application and selection process. These grants will support capital improvements specifically dedicated to improving programmatic access for persons with disabilities. Eligible applicants include any Massachusetts city, town, special purpose district and/or regional governmental organization. Grants of up to $250,000 will be awarded to successful applicants to remove barriers and create and improve accessible features in cities and towns throughout the Commonwealth. Examples of access improvement include the addition of features such as ramps, elevators, power lifts, signage, communication access devices, and curb cuts. Municipalities that have signed, or are willing to sign, a Community Compact (CC) and selected the ADA Self-Evaluation & Transition best practice option will be provided priority for grant funding. Every City or Town in the Commonwealth is eligible to apply. Grants will be awarded to projects that demonstrate that they will have a real and tangible positive impact to persons with disabilities. Planning Grants will also be available for applicants that have not yet met the Administrative Requirements set forth in Title II of the ADA and do not have Self-Evaluation or Transitions Plans. Under MGL Chapter 40 Section 8J, MOD serves as the coordinator of municipal Commissions on Disabilities (CODs) and recognizes that architectural and programmatic barriers to facilities and services exist throughout many municipal buildings in Massachusetts. MOD seeks to work with communities to realize their ADA Title ll obligations and engage in an interactive process so that municipalities can better understand and achieve increased access and opportunities for persons with disabilities. Application Process and Deadlines Year 1 Application period is February 6, 2017 through June 30, All Year 1, FY17 grants must be submitted in hard-copy. For more details please mod-grants@massmail.state.ma.us or call MOD.

40 Massachusetts Clean Energy Center Programs for Municipalities Solarize Massachusetts and Solarize Massachusetts Plus The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) and the Department of Energy Resources (DOER) are excited to announce the launch of the 2018 Solarize Mass and Solarize Mass Plus programs, and are seeking applications from cities and towns to participate. MassCEC and DOER are looking to select up to ten communities (or groups of communities) to participate, and will accept applications from communities on a first come first served basis through May 31, 2018, or until program funds have been fully allocated, whichever comes first. Click on the below link to access the community application documents or Solarize@masscec.com with any questions about the program or application process. MassCEC will also host a webinar on Thursday October 12, 2017 at 2:00 PM to provide an overview of Solarize Mass and Solarize Mass Plus programs and answer questions. Registration available at the below link: mass governmentnon profit how do i apply Commercial Scale Clean Heating and Cooling Incentives MassCEC offer rebates to support the installation of clean heating and cooling technologies, including air source heat pumps, ground source heat pumps, modern wood heat, and solar hot water. These systems are generally more cost effective to operate than traditional systems and reduce your carbon footprint, while maintaining a high level of comfort. Rebates of up to $250,000 per building, with elevated incentive levels for municipalities. Learn more: non profit/clean heating and cooling Clean Energy Activity Day Program MassCEC is accepting applications for the Clean Energy Activity Day Program. This Program funds a one day specialized Clean Energy Activity Day for elementary and middle school students. Successful applicants will propose a one day Clean Energy Activity Day event to take place either Monday to Friday or on a Saturday. The proposed event will include a hands on learning opportunity for students either at the students current place of education, or a clean energy business or organization. The event will be geared towards one of two age groups: Kindergarten to 4th Grade (K 4); or 5th Grade to 8th Grade (5 8). MassCEC anticipates awarding up to ten Clean Energy Day events up to $8,000 $10,000 per application. Applications for this request for proposals are due no later than Friday, December 8, 2017 at 4 p.m. Learn more: clean energy activity day 2018