Mike Winslow

The committee discussed the status of the Regional Energy Plan, including ongoing comments from the Department of Public Service regarding generation targets, storage-ready design, and transmission planning. The group also reviewed solar canopy mapping and generation potential using data developed by students. Planning updates for the Regional Energy/Eco Fair were discussed, covering vendor coordination, outreach strategies, and logistics. Additionally, the committee provided updates on municipal energy planning efforts across several towns and voted to approve a memorandum supporting a proposed battery energy storage system project in Vergennes.

The meeting focused on the regional transportation projects planned for the summer by Vtrans, including culvert replacements, paving, and crack sealing, as well as several emergency projects resulting from previous flooding. The committee discussed ongoing construction updates and future project planning for 2027, such as town-managed projects, sidewalk and mixed-use path developments, and infrastructure maintenance. Additionally, the committee addressed the expansion of traffic count initiatives on local paved roads and the implementation of guardrail inventories for town asset management and safety planning.

The committee meeting agenda includes discussions on anticipated regional transportation projects and general transportation updates. Specific topics feature the announcement of open bike and pedestrian grants, information on upcoming training sessions, and details regarding FEMA public assistance and roads roundtable workshops.

This document, an appendix to the Addison County Regional Plan 2026, details various natural communities within the region and outlines strategies for natural resource conservation. It emphasizes alignment with Vermont's Community Resilience and Biodiversity Protection Act (Act 59), aiming to achieve statewide conservation goals of protecting 30% of the landscape by 2030 and 50% by 2050. Key focus areas include supporting community-based conservation, integrating Vermont Conservation Design, and strengthening conservation capacity through land protection, technical assistance, and minimizing habitat fragmentation.

This Regional Economic Development Strategy for Addison County outlines a vision for a dynamic and diversified rural economy built on local entrepreneurship, leveraging natural resources, and providing an unmatched quality of life for residents and visitors. The plan focuses on five key pillars: fostering a dynamic and diversified economy, utilizing unique natural resources, supporting local entrepreneurs to launch and grow small businesses, maintaining an unmatched quality of life, and enhancing the visitor experience. Strategic focus areas include workforce development, business development and entrepreneurship, operational infrastructure, and quality of life, aiming to ensure economic resiliency and expand opportunities within the region.