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SPRING 2012
"You can't get here from there"
Legislative Panel Discuss Regional Priorities
Indian Tales Along the Merruasquamack
It was standing room only at MVPC on February 14th when the Meister Consultants Group presented a “Solar 101” educational forum for the region’s Mayors and Managers Coalition, municipal energy committee members, and oth-er local officials and staff. Meister, a U.S. and international leader in the field of renewable energy development, is under contract as MVPC’s “Regional Renewable Energy Manager” to provide expert planning and technical services to communities looking to explore and advance profitable solar and wind power projects.
Leading the “Solar 101” presentation was Andrew Belden, state and cities pro-gram director for Meister. Mr. Belden opened the session with a primer on current and emerging solar technologies, and explained why “going solar” can make sound fiscal sense for communities that have suitable installation sites, such as closed landfills, brownfields, vacant municipal properties, and municipal buildings. He said factors currently favoring solar development are Massachusetts’ high en-ergy prices, the increased efficiency and falling costs of solar technology, support-ive state and federal regulations, and aggressive utility and developer incentives. During his presentation, Mr. Belden debunked some common myths and miscon-ceptions surrounding solar development, such as “it’s not sunny enough in Mas-sachusetts” and “solar takes up too much valuable land.” He cited a series of case studies where properly sited and operated solar projects resulted in signifi-cant cost savings for local governments.
Following the workshop, several communities’ energy committees have contacted MVPC to request Meister’s consulting services. These services include: 1) facili-tating initial community meetings to educate public officials and citizens about so-
lar and wind power technologies and opportunities, and to gauge community interest in renewable energy projects, 2) inventorying and evaluating potential solar PV and wind turbine sites, 3) preparing a request for proposals (RFP) for prospective project developers, 4) evaluating and ranking developer proposals, 5) assisting the host community in contract negotiations (e.g., power purchase agreement) with the selected developer and the local utility, and 5) monitoring the construction and operation of the solar or wind facility.
For more information on MVPC’s Regional Renewable Energy Manager Program, or to arrange an initial community meeting with the Meister Consultants Group, contact Dennis DiZoglio, MVPC Executive Director ([email protected]) or Alan Macintosh, MVPC Environmental Program Manager ([email protected]). For a copy of Meister’s “Solar 101” PowerPoint, consult the MVPC website (www.mvpc.org).
Solar Workshop Spurs Interest in Renewable Energy
MARPA Best Practices For Regionalization Study
The Merrimack Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization (MVMPO) initiated this Study in Winter 2011 through funding provided by the Merrimack Valley Regional Transit Authority (MVRTA). The MVPC Transportation Program Staff is undertaking this study on the MVMPO’s behalf, consistent with its ongoing federally-certified trans-portation planning process. The MVPC continually seeks to address I-93 traffic congestion and to plan for improved mobility within the cor-ridor including the consideration of certain “managed lane” technolo-gies including HOV Lanes and BOS operations. Such strategies are being implemented in a number of U.S. metropolitan areas.
The Study includes an assessment of: existing operations in the I-93 Corridor in MA and NH; projects under environmental review, such as the new Lowell Junction Interchange between Exits 41 and 42; projects in design/permitting phase, such as the Route 110/113 Interchange Improvements in Methuen; projects in construction, such as the I-93 Improvements from Salem to Manchester, NH; HOV, BOS and other “Managed Lane” strategies applied in other U.S. locations, and HOV and BOS potential for achieving short- and long-term multi-regional transportation goals.
The MVPC is forming a Technical Advisory Committee that will include Study stakeholders from the Federal Highway and Transit Administrations, MassDOT, MBTA, MVRTA, NHDOT and MVPC communities. For more information, contact Anthony Komornick at the MVPC [email protected]
MVMPO I-93 High-Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Bus-on-Shoulder (BOS) Feasibility Study
Complete Streets is based on the concept that road-ways and transportation corridors can and should be designed to accommodate all potential users and transportation modes. It’s the idea of looking at a road from the outside in, in order to accommodate walkers, bicyclists, wheelchair users, children, elderly, transit users, cars and trucks.
Promoting complete streets throughout the region is one of the objectives of the Regional Transportation Plan in order to both improve access to transportation and provide more transportation options. MVPC host-ed a workshop on this topic on March 26 at NECC that included Baystate Roads’ introductory training session on Complete Streets. Presenters provided examples of how existing roadways can be reallocat-ed to accommodate pedestrians, cyclists and transit.
The importance of this was made clear by Doug Prentiss of Fay, Spofford & Thorndike who cited data showing that one third of the population does not drive. Redesigning our streets to accommodate every-one opens up more choices for people and creates a much more robust transportation system that increas-es the livability of our communities.
Chris Kluchman, Westford Town Planner, was also
invited to discuss the recently released Sustainable
Neighborhood Design Guidelines published by Mas-
sachusetts Chapter of the American Planning Associ-
ation. Her presentation applied the complete streets
concepts to local streets and new neighborhood de-
velopments.
Complete Streets
The MVPC and its MARPA colleagues are producing an innovative Regionalization Best Practices website and guidebook to help municipalities deliver essential public services, contain costs, and increase efficiencies. The MVPC hired Great Island Design, Inc. of Salem, MA and preliminary website design work is underway. The guidebook is scheduled to be released in Spring 2012. For more information, contact Dennis DiZoglio at MVPC [email protected]
Legislative Delegation Discuss Regional Priorities
The Merrimack Valley legislative leaders met with the Commission in January to collectively talk about the priorities for the region. Eleven legislators represent the Merrimack Valley and the meeting focused on how the communities can work together to promote effi-ciencies, economic development and investment priorities. With funds provided by the legislature through District Local Technical Assistance (DLTA) Dennis DiZoglio, Executive Director of MVPC updated the legislators on regional plans to provide energy tech-nical assistance, implement energy conservation improvements in public buildings by Energy Service Companies (ESCO), construct solar farms on closed landfills and the development of a Regional Clean Energy plan.
The legislators also learned that nine (9) communities in the region had applied for Community Innovation Chal-lenge Grant funding from the Commonwealth. This grant program supports community efforts to regionalize services and promotes efficiencies and effectiveness in local governments. The communities of Andover, Amesbury, Boxford, Lawrence, Haverhill, Methuen, North Andover, Newburyport and Salisbury are applying for funding to deploy a computerized maintenance management system that will allow citizens to submit work re-quests via email or mobile devices and help the communities organize and manage work orders. The legisla-tors expressed support for the application and a joint letter of support from Senators Baddour, Finegold, Tarr and Representatives Campbell, Costello, Devers and Torrisi was submitted supporting the application.
Also discussed at the meeting was supporting economic development through the Merrimack Valley Means
Business (mvmb.biz) website and the Merrimack Valley Priority Growth Strategy which identifies areas most
suited for growth in the region. The meeting also gave the legislators opportunities to identify transportation
investment priorities throughout the region. Senator Baddour said he has made “upgrading the Route 110/113
Rotary Interchange at I 93 a high priority.” He added that “this location has the highest accident counts in the
region.”
In cooperation with the Merrimack Valley Regional Transportation Authority (MVRTA), MVPC will hold its annual Regional Planning Day on Monday, May 21st at the Haverhill Country Club in Haverhill. This year’s event will focus on funding needs for roads, bridges and transit. The working title of the event is “You Can’t Get Here from There” the transportation dilemma facing the Merrimack Valley.
Already confirmed for the event is Congresswoman Niki Tsongas, who will update attendees on federal authori-zation for transportation funding currently before Con-gress. We also hope to hear from MassDOT officials regarding the funding needs the Commonwealth faces as it attempts to address the funding shortfall of the MBTA and the road and bridge program. Also confirmed are Ben Forman Research Director from MassInc and Kristina Egan Director of T4 Massachusetts both of
whom will be part of a panel discussion about funding options that should be considered to address funding demands. MassInc recently released a white paper on “Moving Forward with Funding: new strategies to support transportation and balanced regional economic growth”.
Make sure you attend this timely policy dis-
cussion — So save the date and time….
Date: Monday, May 21st Time: 8:00a to 8:30a Registration and Coffee 8:30a to noon Program Location: Haverhill Country Club 58 Brickett Lane Haverhill, MA
To Register: Contact Nancy Lavallee [email protected] 978-374-0519
You can't get here from there !
“Find out more about the transportation dilemma facing the Merrimack Valley”...
Attend MVPC's Annual Regional Planning Day
SAVE THE
DATE !
"The Indians tell us of a beautiful river far to the south which they call the Merrimac” (quoted in HISTORY- Man-chester N.H.) This description was by Pierre Du Gaust who had never actually seen the river, but his companion Samuel De Champlain did see it. The origin of the river’s name is not known for sure, although it is believed to be Native Ameri-can, originally Merruasquamack, meaning “swift water place.” In 1605, the tribe known as Agawam told the French set-tlers of a beautiful river, which the French eventually pro-nounced “Merremac.” although they later renamed it, “Riviere du Gas.” Native Americans (Agawams) still used the original name for the now-called Merrimack. Clearly, the Merrimack River has been admired and utilized by Native Americans for perhaps thousands of years. The present day Amoskeag Falls, in Manchester was a portion of the river in which fish were abundant to the na-
tives. who then called it “Namaoskeag,” meaning “great fishing area,” using the catch to eat or barter. The Merrimack has been used numerous times as a name for areas within the Merrimack Valley, such as the towns of Merrimac and Merrick. Warships were named after the river, includ-ing the ironclad used by the Confederates during the 1862 Civil War battle with the Union’s Monitor. The name has been spelled, pronounced and reinterpreted many times, making it difficult to find its actual root. But its history continues unceasingly, as does its 115-mile flow from the White Mountains of New Hampshire to its
Massachusetts mouth at Salisbury and Newburyport.
MVPC 2011 Annual Report is now available on our web-site.
MVPC Monthly Meetings
Third Thursday of the Month at the MVPC offices —7p
Check our website for details on upcoming events
www.mvpc.org
May 21— MVPC Annual Regional Planning Day “You can’t get here from there” 8-8:30a Registration and coffee 8:30-noon Program Haverhill Country Club 58 Brickett Lane Haverhill , MA
Contact: Nancy Lavallee [email protected]
www.facebook.com/mvpc.org
Indian Tales Along the Merruasquamack
2012 ENHA Photo Contest Launched
Shoot, Enter, Win! Essex Heritage is pleased to an-nounce the launch of the 2012 Essex National Heritage Area Photo Contest! All photographers are welcome to submit images to the Photo Contest that capture the essence of the Essex National Heritage Area (ENHA) or speak to Essex Heritage's role in preserving the histor-ic, cultural and natural treasures of Essex County. Pho-tographs must be taken within the ENHA and represent one of this year's three contest categories. Check out the contest categories (and prizes!) and read the com-plete rules & requirements here.
Essex Heritage Photo Safaris Need a little inspiration for your award winning submission? View the 2011 pho-to contest gallery and go on a Photo Safari this sum-mer! Essex Heritage Photo Safaris provide the perfect environment to capture your award winning shot: eye-catching locations and state of the art digital equipment! For more information about the Safaris click here.
