MAPC Matters
Grants, deadlines, events, opportunities, news, & resources from the Metropolitan Area Planning Council
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In this issue:
MAPC_Events_NewsMAPC Events & News
MAPC, HEET Gas Leaks Report

Check out Clean Energy's new report on gas leaks, which discusses how municipalities and the gas companies can better coordinate. Improved coordination will protect your roads and can even provide new revenues to fund additional paving or infrastructure upgrades. It will also help us efficiently replace leaky and leak-prone pipes throughout the state. See fixourpipes.org for more, including our report and checklist of best practices . 
Fall Council Meeting Recap
The October 26 Fall Council Meeting featured keynote remarks from Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito, the Theodore Mann Award for Regional Leadership, won by Somerville Mayor Joseph Curtatone, the 2016 MPO elections, and several other updates and awards. In addition, MAPC staff presented information on five critical new legislative tools that can assist cities and towns in their local planning. 

Click on the links below to view the topic flyers:
Congratulations to Mayor Joseph Curtatone,  who received the Theodore Mann Award for Regional Leadership. Mayor Curtatone has consistently supported MAPC, Metro Mayors, and the communities of Greater Boston by seeking regional solutions to serious challenges.
The Mann Award is given to an elected or appointed local government official who has a distinguished record in regional leadership, intermunicipal cooperation, and public service. The award honors the memory of Theodore Mann, who served as Mayor of Newton from 1972-1994 and who exemplified the characteristics that the award seeks to recognize.

Congratulations  too, to Deputy Controller Sheila Wynter, who received the Davidson Staff Achievement Award.  Ms. Wynter has helped to modernize MAPC's financial systems, to implement our new accounting software, and to design project management systems for all of the projects at MAPC.  
Making IT Work

Over 190 communities across the Commonwealth were represented at the Making IT Work conference on October 18th. Here they heard from Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito, State Senator Karen E. Spilka and Executive Director of MassIT Mark Nunnelly.

The attendees also participated in six workshops. Topics included open data, municipal IT procurement, analytics for policy and operations.

Click here to read more and see the presentations from the event.
Citizen Planner Training Collective Fall Workshop Series
November 14
Framingham Library McAuliffe Branch, 746 Water Street, Framingham

Writing Reasonable and Defensible Decisions This course covers some key points that will assist  boards in writing clear and defensible decisions.  It describes criteria that should be contained in  local zoning regulations and how these regulations  relate to the types of conditions a board  may impose when approving a special permit or  variance application. The course also entitles your town to credit under the MIIA Rewards Program towards public officials liability insurance.

CPTC workshops are oriented toward planning and zoning board members as well as local professional planners. Subjects include subdivision control, 40B, zoning for solar, master plans, public records, and much more. Register for a workshop here .
MAPC Technical Assistance Program - Call for Project Concepts

Through this Call for Project Concepts, MAPC is  soliciting ideas for projects that will commence in 2017. Municipalities can submit concepts for individual, community-specific projects and for multi-community projects. Direct calls for applications are generally released twice a year in the fall and spring. Awards are made on a rolling basis pending the availability of funding, with a batch of awards often made in the late fall and late spring of each year.
 
Eligible projects cover a wide variety of topics, including but not limited to: housing and economic development; regionalization and shared services; public safety; public health; smart growth; climate change; clean energy; equity; fair housing; equitable transit-oriented development (E-TOD); bicycle/pedestrian mobility; environmental and resource protection; creative community placemaking; and arts and culture planning.
 
Learn more by visiting www.mapc.org/TAP .
MAPC is Hiring!

We're looking for a Chief Housing Planner, Civic Web Developer, Regional Land Use Planners, HR Manager, an Economic Development Planner I, as well as a  Grant Management Coordinator   Details here .
Accessibility, Translation, Interpretation
Your participation is important to MAPC. Call 617.933.0700 for accommodations. Advance notice (10 days) is necessary for certain accommodations.
Executive_ReportMAPC Executive Director's Report
Every month, MAPC staff help the Executive Director compile highlights of the agency's work for an Executive Director's Report to present to the Executive Committee and Council.  Read the latest report here .
Clean_EnergyMAPC Clean Energy Update
In this issue: MAPC's Peak Demand Notification Program, Mass CEC's 2017 Solarize Mass PlusPrograms, Municipal Green Vehicle Workshops and more! Read the newsletter here .
MPOCornerMPO Corner 
Events and news from our partner in transportation planning
MAPC is a voting member of the Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), the 22-member board that conducts federally-mandated transportation planning for Greater Boston. The MPO creates and endorses a long-term plan for transportation in the region, and then uses this plan to allocate federal and state funds toward transportation projects and studies serving people who ride, drive, walk and bike. Learn more about the MPO here .
Discussions at MAPC Subregions kick off the MPO's 2017 transportation planning
MPO staff will visit MAPC subregions this month to start a conversation around transportation concerns and priorities and brainstorm ideas for future studies and projects, for consideration in the MPO's Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) and Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). Join us in a municipality near you:
  • Burlington: Wed, Nov 9, 9:00am (NSPC)
  • Holliston: Thurs, Nov 10, 8:00am (MWRC)
  • Danvers: Tues, Nov. 15, 8:30am (NSTF)
  • Norwood: Tues, Nov 15, 9:00am (TRIC)
  • Boston: Wed, Nov 16, 9:30am (ICC)
  • Hingham: Thurs, Nov 17, 1:00pm (SSC)
  • Sherborn: Tues, Dec. 13, 9:30am (SWAP)
  • Concord: Thurs, Jan 5, 2:30pm (MAGIC)
     
MAPC posts meeting details at mapc.org/subregions . While we hope to see you this fall, this meeting is only the first of many opportunities to participate in the MPO's transportation planning. Discover more ways to participate in our calendar for federal fiscal year 2017.
Office Hours with MPO staff
Starts November 3

We're excited to announce the return of "Office Hours," which offer opportunities for one-on-one conversations with MPO Staff. You can either come into our offices at any time between 1:30 pm and 3 pm to meet with us, or call us on the phone at 857.702.3687.
Please stop by to:
  • Provide input into the MPO's transportation planning
  • Discuss planned studies and projects or propose new ones
  • Learn more about regional transportation planning and the programming of funds
     
The MPO plans to host office hours after the first MPO meeting of each month (usually held on the first Thursday). Learn more on the MPO's meeting calendar .
Advisory Council to Discuss Active Transportation

November 9

At its November meeting, the MPO's Regional Transportation Advisory Council (Advisory Council) will discuss planning for active transportation. The Advisory Council is an independent body whose primary mission is to generate broad and timely participation that brings viewpoints and advice on transportation planning to the Boston Region MPO. Meetings are always open to the public and  are held on the second Wednesday of the month. Learn more on the MPO's meeting calendar .
Upcoming MPO Meetings to Include a Presentation on Dedicated Bus Lanes
November 3
November 17

This Thursday, November 3rd, Scott Hamwey of MassDOT will present a MassDOT/CTPS study prioritizing Greater Boston roadway segments for implementing dedicated bus lanes. Also, the MPO will elect a vice-chair for the upcoming year, vote to release an amendment on the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) related to MBTA capital investments, and receive updates on the MPO's Federal Certification Review Action Plan.

The MPO typically meets the first and third Thursdays of the month at the State Transportation Building Conference Rooms 2 and 3. We invite public attendance and post the agenda and materials a week in advance on the MPO's meeting calendar .

Stay informed about the MPO's activities and related opportunities by subscribing to the MPO's e-mailing list, MPOinfo , our blog/e-newsletter, TRANSREPORT , and our Twitter account, @BostonRegionMPO .
Related_DeadlinesMAPC-Related Deadlines and Opportunities
MAPC Technical Assistance Program - Call for Project Concepts

Through this Call for Project Concepts, MAPC is  soliciting ideas for projects that will commence in 2017. Municipalities can submit concepts for individual, community-specific projects and for multi-community projects. Direct calls for applications are generally released twice a year in the fall and spring. Awards are made on a rolling basis pending the availability of funding, with a batch of awards often made in the late fall and late spring of each year.
 
Eligible projects cover a wide variety of topics, including but not limited to: housing and economic development; regionalization and shared services; public safety; public health; smart growth; climate change; clean energy; equity; fair housing; equitable transit-oriented development (E-TOD); bicycle/pedestrian mobility; environmental and resource protection; creative community placemaking; and arts and culture planning.
 
Learn more by visiting www.mapc.org/TAP .
Livable Communities Technical Assistance Workshops
Deadline: Rolling

Offered by the MAPC Transportation Division in partnership with the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), the Livability Community Workshop (LCW) program's aim is to educate communities on how to incorporate livability concepts and to  promote thinking about how design influences livability. LCWs can involve a broad range of topics. MAPC's 2016 workshops will focus chiefly (but not only) on parking, including zoning, parking management, pricing.  
Boston Region MPO Community Transportation Technical Assistanc e (CTTA) Program
Deadline: Rolling

The CTTA program, open to all 101 municipalities in the MPO region, provides municipal officials with technical advice on local transportation concerns such as traffic  operations, safety, bicycle and pedestrian access, livability, parking, and bus  stop locations. When evaluating requests for technical assistance, MPO and MAPC staff consider whether they can provide useful feedback on the municipality's particular issues and if they can do so in a financially modest, time-efficient manner.  Learn more about the CTTA program and application process here .
Community Compact
Deadline: Rolling

As many of you know, the Baker Administration's Community Compact program provides incentives and assistance for cities and towns to implement municipal best practices.
Among these best practices are a number of areas within MAPC's expertise, particularly energy and environment, housing and economic development, transportation and regionalization/shared services. We have provided technical assistance in these areas on hundreds of projects across the region in recent years and are eager to help our communities to develop Compact applications or provide assistance in implementing best practices.  Learn more about the Community Compact here
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DCR Partnership Matching Funds Program
 
1.5 million dollars have been allocated for the DCR Partnership Matching Funds Program for the purpose of expanding access to recreation in the Commonwealth's parks. DCR matches partner contributions of up to and including $25,000 at 2:1, and 1:1 for contributions above $25,000.  Learn more here - and remember that MAPC can help you with your proposal .
Community Aggregation PLUS Program

This spring, the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) launched its version of municipal aggregation, the Community Electricity Aggregation PLUS program. Through the program, cities and towns can use aggregation to help build new renewable energy facilities while still achieving competitive electricity rates and price stability. The program offers our communities the use of a competitively procured consultant, Good Energy.  Learn more about the program here .
Staff_PicksMAPC Staff Picks
Smart-Growth-Related Events, Deadlines, & Opportunities Outside of MAPC
Strategic Municipal ADA Planning Workshop
Sponsored by Baystate Roads
November 3
Holiday Inn Taunton

November 17
Doubletree by Hilton Boston-Bedford Glen

A workshop on planning by communities to develop effective American with Disabilities (ADA) transition plans. Click here for registration and more information .
Free Webinar: Promoting Aquaponics in Redevelopment Projects 
U.S EPA Brownfields
November 15

Learn about a new planning tool, developed by U.S. EPA, that can help communities create these healthy food production systems: Aquaponics Business Plan User Guide and Worksheets. This new tool is based on the acclaimed U.S. EPA Urban Farm Business Planning Guide. While originally created to encourage aquaponics development on brownfields, the new guide is now available for use in any community. Do not miss this opportunity to learn about aquaponics business planning, as well as hear about the experience of the East Capital Urban Farm in implementing an urban aquaponics project in Washington D.C.  The East Capital Urban Farm is developing urban food hubs to connect neighborhoods to healthy food.

Register for the webinar here.
Call For Workshops Is Now Open!
Deadline: December 16,2016
Creative Communities Exchange (CCX),New London, Connecticut

Workshops discuss the specific strategies and steps taken by creative economy initiatives. These initiatives leverage local creative assets and cross-sector partnerships for community revitalization and growth. They might include: downtown revitalization, artists and civic engagement, impact data collection, planning, zoning, space development, and generally fall under these themes:
  • Leadership & Partnerships Organizational leaders building capacity within their organizations and communities through strong partnerships with local stakeholders. 
  • Heading Downtown Innovative events and projects that catalyze the creative community and draw visitors and life to the economic centers. 
  • Policy & Planning Programs that use information and cultural plans to implement policy and zoning decisions that affect all citizens of their local community. 
  • Sector Connector Model projects that use technology, networking, and training to enhance the capacity of the creative sector's connections to other sectors.
Click here to apply to lead a workshop.
Focus 40 Wants to Hear From You!

The Open House formally kicked off the Ideas Phase of Focus40. All of the ideas collected at the event will be incorporated in our planning process and shared on our website soon.
Now, we are excited to hear from more of you! You can submit your ideas online or in-person by attending one of the Focus40 Street Team outings.

The Focus40 Street Team will spend at least 100 hours at stops and stations around the system over the next month to collect YOUR ideas for the MBTA's future. We will be posting our locations on our website and social media (follow @MassDOT and  #Focus40
on Twitter) so you can join us.

If you have any questions or comments, or would like someone from the Focus40 Project Team to present at a community meeting, please contact MassDOT's Project Manager, Scott Hamwey, at 857-368-9800 or via email at   focus40@dot.state.ma.us .
Massachusetts Clean Water Toolkit Website

The Massachusetts Clean Water Toolkit serves as the state's primary public education resource related to nonpoint source pollution.

The Toolkit, developed for MassDEP by Geosyntec Consultants, includes sections focused on the major categories of nonpoint source pollution, 127 fact sheets on best management practices to reduce pollution, and a collection of "Interactive Scenarios" based on Massachusetts landscapes.

The Interactive Scenarios allow users to explore ways to reduce pollution and improve water quality in a variety of highly detailed landscapes that are typical in Massachusetts, including residential, agricultural, urban, roads, construction, and shoreline restoration. 

To view the Clean Water Toolkit, go to  http://prj.geosyntec.com/npsmanual.  For more information, contact Malcolm Harper at   Malcolm.harper@state.ma .
CZ-Mail 
Newsletter

In this issue: Grants opportunities, Publications, Resources, and more! Click here to read the issue.
Environmental League of Massachusetts 
Newsletter 

In this issue: Local Solar Leadership, Largest Ever Renewable-Energy Project in United States, The ELM Fall Reception, and more! Click here to read.
Massachusetts Bays National Estuary Program

In this Issue: Green Crab Investigations, Free Grant Writing Workshop,events and more. Read it here .  
PPhotos from the Month
Photos from MAPC Events, Workshops, and Meetings
A photo of Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito and MAPC President Keith Bergman from MAPC's Fall Council Meeting. The October 26 meeting included awards, presentations, and the 2016 MPO elections.
A photo from the Revitalizing DownTowns Forum where attendees discussed the challenges and best practices for revitalizing Downtowns in the SSC subregion. 
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