Thomas J. Kennedy

The Mount Ascutney Regional Commission's Regional Transportation Plan serves as a long-range roadmap to guide transportation decision-making and investments for the region. It aims to provide an equitable, safe, convenient, economic, and energy-efficient multi-modal transportation system. Key priorities include maintaining existing infrastructure, supporting economic diversity and quality of life, meeting diverse mobility needs, building resilient infrastructure, respecting environmental and cultural resources, and promoting sound land use planning. The plan addresses regional trends such as an aging population, rural characteristics, and the need for housing and transportation affordability, while fostering public participation and maximizing funding opportunities.

This Regional Plan outlines the Mount Ascutney Regional Commission's Environmental Benefits and Burdens Assessment for 2026. Its primary purpose is to identify at-risk populations, examine environmental benefits and burdens, and understand their relationship within the MARC region. The plan details key focus areas including air quality, green spaces, transportation, healthy ecosystems, health care access, climate change impacts, clean water, pollution, healthy homes, nutritious food access, noise pollution, dignified employment, waterway health, affordable and clean energy sources, cultural and historic resources, and sewage disposal. The findings will inform future planning decisions to promote a more equitable distribution of environmental benefits and burdens across the region.

The Mount Ascutney Regional Commission's 2026 Regional Plan, Volume 3 (Energy), acts as the energy component of the broader Regional Plan. It aims to guide the region towards achieving Vermont's ambitious energy goals, notably the '90/50' goal (90% renewable energy by 2050) and significant greenhouse gas emission reductions. The plan outlines detailed strategies for energy conservation, increased renewable energy generation, and reduction of fossil fuel reliance across three key sectors: heating, transportation, and electricity. It promotes electrification, efficiency improvements, and the sustainable development of renewable resources, while also considering equity, environmental protection, and economic opportunities for the region.

This document, a chapter within a larger regional plan, outlines strategic goals and policies for community utilities and facilities in the Mount Ascutney Region. It aims to ensure the provision of essential public services and infrastructure to meet current and future needs, support regional growth, and maintain historic settlement patterns. Key priorities include improving public water and sewer systems, expanding broadband access, ensuring financially sustainable and equitable delivery of solid waste, health, safety, communication, and educational services, fostering recreational and cultural opportunities, and supporting affordable childcare.

This document, an appendix to the 2026 Regional Plan, provides context for the Mount Ascutney Regional Commission's housing targets. It synthesizes findings from the 2025-2029 Statewide Housing Needs Assessment by the Vermont Housing Finance Agency, detailing the state's housing deficit. The plan outlines a methodology for establishing municipal housing targets based on population, infrastructure capacity, and future land use categories. A key objective is to meet a target of 1,207 new housing units by 2030, specifically for lower- and moderate-income households and workforce housing, with detailed breakdowns for owner-occupied and rental units across various Area Median Income (AMI) levels. The targets extend through 2050.