Reports of High Risk Stream Crossings in the Deerfield River Watershed are now available. The information in the reports and maps is from a pilot project completed by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) and the University of Massachusetts, Amherst (UMass) that assessed the vulnerability of road-stream crossings to precipitation events. FRCOG planning staff compiled this information for each Franklin County town within the watershed as part of the FY18 Franklin Region Unified Planning Work Program. The purpose of the maps and reports are to help municipal officials and public works staff prioritize bridge and culvert upgrades in their town. The reports also provide information on how to make road-stream upgrades more resilient to current and projected precipitation conditions, and lists potential funding sources for upgrading crossings. The town reports are available here.
Archive | November, 2018
New Labor Market Blueprint
As a member of the Pioneer Valley Regional Planning Core Team, FRCOG is partnering with the MassHire Franklin Hampshire Workforce Board and others to implement strategies of the Pioneer Valley Labor Market Blueprint. The Blueprint was developed to better align the work of economic development, workforce and education partners for the purpose of creating strong talent pipelines for our three-county region.
Shared Use and Community Kitchens Webinar
Webinar with content from the Sept 27, 2018 workshop on shared use and community kitchens:
FRCOG Wants to Hear Your Thoughts on Transportation in the Region!
The FRCOG is currently updating the Regional Transportation Plan. This plan is updated every 4 years and examines the current state of the transportation system in the region, including all modes of transportation – such as driving, walking, biking, and riding the bus or train. The plan also identifies the long-term transportation needs of the region and prioritizes projects and activities. This plan will give Franklin County the opportunity to identify needed projects; address environmental and safety concerns; and meet the growing economic development needs of the region.
As part of the planning process, the FRCOG wants input from Franklin County residents and employees. There will be 4 public meetings around the County to get feedback on transportation needs and priorities (see dates below). If you are unable to attend a meeting, please take our survey to let us know your thoughts: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2019RTPsurvey.
- Tuesday, December 11th ( 5:30 – 7:00 p.m.) Town of Colrain Highway Garage, 55 Main Road, Colrain, MA (snow date December 12th)
- Tuesday, January 8th (5:30 – 7:00 p.m.) Erving Senior Center, 1 Care Drive, Erving, MA (snow date January 9th)
- Wednesday, January 9th (12:00 – 1:30 p.m.) John W. Olver Transit Center, First Floor Meeting Room, 12 Olive Street, Greenfield, MA (snow date January 10th)
- Wednesday, January 16th (5:30 – 7:00 p.m.) Sunderland Library, 20 School Street, Sunderland, MA (snow date of January 17th)
Regional Transportation Plan Outreach Meetings Flyer
For more information, please contact Megan Rhodes, Senior Transportation & Land Use Planner at mrhodes@frcog.org or (413)774-3167 x 132.
Rural Policy Advisory Commission Listening Sessions
Listening Sessions
A series of listening sessions has recently been scheduled to gather input from community leaders regarding the suggested focus areas to be included in the development of the Massachusetts Rural Policy Plan. Listening sessions will be held in several regions across the Commonwealth.
A survey is available to provide input at the RPAC SURVEY –https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/RPAC2018
The Western Massachusetts listening sessions are:
- 12/6 6 PM at Berkshire Regional Planning Commission register at info@berkshireplanning.org
- 12/11 5PM at Pioneer Valley Planning Commission register at lgallagher@pvpc.org
- 12/13 5PM at GCC Downtown — register at registrations@frcog.org
Municipal Financial Management Workshop Materials
This workshop on 11/8 featured FRCOG Municipal Financial Management Specialist Joe Markarian, who joined us after a long career of supporting towns in improving their financial management practices at the Technical Assistance Bureau of the Massachusetts Division of Local Services.
Materials from the training:
Municipal Calendar from the DOR Division of Local Services
Slides from the workshop
Finance Seminar Spreadsheets
Some cyber-security tips from Mass.Gov
2018 Evaluation of Franklin County Park and Ride Facilities is Completed
The FRCOG Staff evaluated the existing park and ride facilities in Franklin County to determine how well they are being utilized. In addition, FRCOG Staff conducted surveys of the park and ride users to better understand where people were coming from and how they were using the lots. The study shows that the use of the Whately and Sunderland park and ride lots continue to increase in popularity and that many users of the Sunderland lot are parking there in order to access public transit. For more information, contact Megan Rhodes, Senior Transportation and Land Use Planner, at mrhodes@frcog.org.
