News from VLCT

CDBG Funds - Update

Wed, 25 Jul 2012 00:00:00 -0400

Vermont’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Disaster Recovery Action Plan was submitted to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) on July 20, 2012. The Vermont Department of Economic, Housing and Community Development (DEHCD) submitted it in response to the Federal Register Notice, making Vermont eligible to receive $21,660,211 in HUD Disaster Recovery funding. HUD has 45 days from the date submitted to review and approve the Action Plan. Upon approval, expected by September 6, DEHCD will make CDBG-Disaster Recovery applications available. DEHCD staff will be available to provide technical and application assistance. More information is at http://accd.vermont.gov/strong_communities/opportunities/funding/cdbgdr.

CDBG-DR Draft Action Plan Comment

Fri, 29 Jun 2012 00:00:00 -0400

On behalf of VLCT's member municpalities, Public Policy and Advocacy Director Karen Horn commented on the draft action Plan for the Community Development Block Grant Program Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR).

Change in the Authority of Constables

Fri, 15 Jun 2012 00:00:00 -0400

Act 103 of 2012 – An Act Relating to the Certification of Capitol Police and Constables and to Legislative Traffic Control and Parking – affects the qualifications for exercising law enforcement authority by municipal constables. This change of authority is explained in a sample letter that VLCT has written for municipalities to modify and forward to their local municipal constable(s). The letter is available as both a Word document and as a pdf file.

VLCT also wrote explanatory letters to selectboards and to constables.

CDBG-Disaster Recovery Funds

Tue, 12 Jun 2012 00:00:00 -0400

The Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development, Department of Economic, Housing and Community Development (DEHCD) is eligible to receive $21,660,211 from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funds. The Federal Register Notice, released on April 16, 2012, contained the rules, requirements, and process for DEHCD to apply for this funding. DEHCD has until July 23, 2012, to develop and submit an Action Plan for Disaster Recovery, which is essentially the state’s application for these funds. The Action Plan must follow a format prescribed by HUD and must address the requirements identified in the Federal Register Notice.

In general, the Action Plan must demonstrate what the remaining unmet and long-term recovery needs are and how the state proposes to address them the areas most impacted and distressed as the result of declared major disasters in Vermont in 2011. These major disasters include FEMA Disaster Declaration 1995 (April 23-May 9, 2011 flood), FEMA Disaster Declaration 4001 (May 26-27, 2011 flood), and of course FEMA Disaster Declaration 4022 (August 27- September 2, 2011 Tropical Storm Irene).

The Draft Action Plan is based on the best available data and information from a variety of sources and soliciting input on unmet needs from affected communities, stakeholders and partners. DEHCD has made every attempt to identify and prioritize the unmet and long term recovery needs of the state. The Draft was developed within the constraints of the available funding, HUD’s requirements to target 80% of the funding to Windsor and Washington counties and to pre-allocate 50% of the funding to specific projects, in our Action Plan. We welcome your feedback and suggestions. Please understand this is only a draft and only contains the key elements of the complete Action Plan required by HUD. This Draft is subject to change based on new information gathered, un-identified needs, changes to HUD rules or requirements and public comment.

DEHCD took written public comment on the Draft Action Plan until June 29, 2012. DEHCD has also prepared this list of likely questions and general information. Of course DEHCD will further refine, edit, clarify and incorporate any additional unmet needs and public comment into the Draft Action Plan before it is submitted to HUD by the July 23, 2012 deadline. HUD has committed to an expedited review and approval process of no more than 45 days after submittal by DEHCD. Based on this timeline, DEHCD plans to make applications available by early September.

The Draft Action Plan is also available at the following websites http://accd.vermont.gov/strong_communities/opportunities/funding/cdbgdr and http://vtstrong.vermont.gov. All updates and revisions to the Draft Action Plan will be posted to these websites.

It is important to stress that CDBG-DR funding can only be used to address needs that can't be met by insurance proceeds, FEMA, SBA, other state, local or federal programs and charitable funding. Projects must address an impact within a county that received a Presidential disaster declaration in 2011. They must also be a CDBG-eligible activity and address a national objective such as benefitting low and moderate income people or addressing an urgent need. One of the best ways to prepare for the successful use of these funds is to pursue and document each of these other funding sources as quickly as possible.

We are grateful to the governor and our entire Congressional Delegation for pushing hard in Washington, D.C. to make these funds available to help so many in Vermont recover from the last year’s natural disasters. We know many of you are still working tirelessly on recovery efforts and anxiously awaiting for additional recovery funding to become available. We are making progress and with continued collaboration and hard work; a safer, smarter, stronger Vermont is in sight.

Technical Assistance Available for Energy Efficiency Activities

Tue, 12 Jun 2012 00:00:00 -0400

The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), in partnership with the Surdna Foundation, is offering technical assistance services over the next 12 months to local governments and other local stakeholders around the United States on energy efficiency policy and program implementation. ACEEE staff will provide research, subject matter expertise, and other technical assistance resources for priority projects. Technical assistance products may range from structured conference calls for identifying strategies on particular issues, to memos, fact sheets, spreadsheet analyses, or presentations to a stakeholder audience.

In the face of declining federal funds for local energy efficiency activities, ACEEE is positioned to help city officials and program operators to continue to advance energy efficiency innovations, help move projects to scale, and/or troubleshoot promising models. Requests for technical assistance will be accepted on a rolling basis from May 2012 through June 2013. Please read this document for additional information on requesting technical assistance. Contact Eric Mackres, Senior Researcher and Local Policy Lead, ACEEE, at emackres@aceee.org if you have any questions.

VLCT Municipal Internal Controls Checklist

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500

VLCT and the VLCT Board of Directors’ Financial Responsibility Committee are pleased to announce the availability of the new Municipal Internal Controls Checklist and accompanying guidelines. The checklist, which complies with current professional standards, can help municipalities improve their financial controls, and the guidelines describes the checklist in detail.

The internal controls checklist, of course, is only one component of a comprehensive set of internal controls, and VLCT – with the support of our Property and Casualty Intermunicipal Fund (PACIF) – is committed to help municipalities build and maintain sound financial management systems. To that end, we’ll pilot-test the Municipal Internal Control Checklist with a few municipalities. Then we’ll incorporate the results, along with a more detailed guidebook, into a full spectrum of municipal internal controls.

For more information, please contact Abby Friedman at afriedman@vlct.org, or Karen Horn at khorn@vlct.org or (800) 649-7915.

Financing Program Decision Tool and Financial Program Decision Guide

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Communities are increasingly investing in energy efficiency and renewable energy to achieve their air quality, economic, and energy goals. In doing so, they have found that the up-front costs of improving energy efficiency and increasing renewable energy generation can be a barrier for many homeowners, building owners, and businesses. One way to address these barriers is by adopting clean energy financing programs that can make efficiency and renewable energy more affordable for these sectors. EPA's State and Local Climate and Clean Energy Program is supporting these efforts with an online Financing Program Decision Tool and Financing Program Decision Guide.

The Financing Program Decision Tool is designed for state and local staff in the early stages of choosing a clean energy financing program. Answer a handful of simple questions, and the Tool highlights quickly the most promising program options for your jurisdiction to pursue.

The complementary Financing Program Decision Guide includes the basics on financing-program options, as well as key considerations and factors for communities to weigh as they start up or expand their clean energy financing programs.

Learn more at http://epa.gov/statelocalclimate/state/activities/financing.html.

Model Abatement Forms

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500

As a result of Tropical Storm Irene, many towns received an unprecedented number of requests for abatement, the quasi-judicial process for relieving taxpayers from the burden of property taxes, penalty, and interest. To assist VLCT members, the Municipal Assistance Center has produced a set of model abatement request forms, hearing schedules, rules of procedure, and decision forms. The forms are in Word format and you can download them here.

Model Subdivision Regulations

Tue, 31 Jul 2012 00:00:00 -0400

The model environmental resource area protection standards for subdivisions, noted in the article in the August-September issue of the VLCT News, are posted here.

Municipal Streetlight Guide

Thu, 23 Aug 2012 00:00:00 -0400

Efficiency Vermont has updated its step-by-step guide, “Improving Efficiency in Municipal Street and Public Space Lighting.” Street lighting is an important part of a municipality’s nighttime landscape. Lighting can enhance public safety and security and improve the aesthetic appeal of the surrounding properties. However, street lighting represents a large electrical load and can be one of the highest costs for a municipality. By eliminating unnecessary street lighting and converting older lighting technologies to LEDs, municipalities can reduce the cost of outdoor lighting while enhancing the nighttime environment. The guide is part of a larger effort by Efficiency Vermont, in partnership with the state’s utilities, to help municipalities improve the efficiency of their street lighting and upgrade to LED technology.

You can download the guided at www.efficiencyvermont.com/streetlighting. To obtain a paper copy or for more information about the Municipal Streetlight Program, contact Kathleen Brown at Efficiency Vermont at 888-921-5990, ext. 7740 or kbrown@veic.org.

HMGP Information Line

Mon, 27 Aug 2012 00:00:00 -0400

Vermont Emergency Management and other state agencies are working diligently to expedite the FEMA review and approval process for submitted applications considered under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP). Due to the complex nature of the review process, we anticipate FEMA approvals in September and October. However, those with unresolved issues could take longer for approval. For home buy-outs, the state is working to provide the 25% local match amount from the Community Development Block Grant program or from the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board. Once all grant approvals have been finalized, homeowners will be contacted by their town officials for a scheduled closing on their property. Most homeowners can expect the buy-out process to be completed between October and December.

Vermont Emergency Management has set up a telephone Information Line for those seeking information regarding the status of their HMGP applications. Towns and homeowners seeking information about the status of their grant applications should call 866-953-2325. Callers will hear a recorded message that instructs them to leave a name and telephone contact number. Callers will be contacted within 48 hours with information regarding the status of their HMGP application.

Federal-aid Essentials for Local Public Agencies

Wed, 29 Aug 2012 00:00:00 -0400

A new Federal Highway Administration transportation resource called Federal-aid Essentials for Local Public Agencies puts key information about federal aid requirements online at www.fhwa.dot.gov/federal-aidessentials. The website is a centralized hub for guidance, policies, procedures, and best practices for administering federal aid projects. Its main feature is a library of videos covering key aspects of the project development and delivery process.

Nearly 28,000 local public agencies – mostly cities, counties, and towns – own and operate about 75%, or roughly 2.9 million miles, of the U.S. highway network. These agencies receive close to $7 billion annually in federal aid funding, or around 15% of the entire budget for the Federal-Aid Highway Program. FHWA’s aim is to encourage LPAs to take advantage of this resource. The information is designed to provide the highest level of guidance, while encouraging locals to work with their state agencies of transportation for specific requirements.

Motor Vehicle Lemon Law

Wed, 29 Aug 2012 00:00:00 -0400

A motor vehicle covered under the Lemon Law is defined as new if it is under the manufacturer’s express (written) warranty, which begins when the vehicle is delivered to the first owner or lessee. This means in addition to a motor vehicle purchased new by a first owner or initially leased, some vehicles designated as used on the purchase contract are new under the Lemon Law.

You may be eligible to file a Demand for Arbitration if you have at least one unsuccessful repair attempt under the manufacturer’s new vehicle warranty. Additional repair orders may occur within or outside of the warranty for a three-times-out claim.

For information about additional eligibility requirements and filing methods:

1. Visit http://dmv.vermont.gov/safety/laws/lemonlaw and www.leg.state.vt.us/statutes/sections.cfm?Title=09&Chapter=115

2. Email DMV-LemonLaw@state.vt.us, or

3. Phone 802-828-2943 or 711 (TTY).

Vermont Home Weatherization Challenge

Fri, 31 Aug 2012 00:00:00 -0400

This fall, Efficiency Vermont, in partnership with VECAN, will roll out an ambitious plan to significantly increase the number of Vermonters who make weatherization improvements to their homes. The 2013 Vermont Home Weatherization Challenge is a town-by-town challenge designed to harness people’s proclivity for competition — and fun! — to help Vermont meet its necessarily ambitious weatherization goals and save homeowners on their energy bills. The challenge will run from January 1 to December 31, 2013. Be sure your town is lined up to participate. This announcement provides details, or you can visit www.vecan.net/ or efficiencyvermont.com.

Candidate Forum Tool Kit

Fri, 31 Aug 2012 00:00:00 -0400

VLCT is offering its members a Candidate Forum Tool Kit in conjunction with its Election 2012 Issue Paper series.

The Issue Papers provide general information about municipal topics of statewide importance and recommendations for action; the Tool Kit offers specific suggestions for how your municipality can host a forum that brings local officials and statewide and legislative candidates together to discuss these issues.

Why Hold a Candidate Forum?

The 2012 state and federal campaigns are well underway. Candidates for statewide and legislative office are running to work on your behalf during the next two years, and they will have that job if elected. Legislators introduced 1,047 bills during the last two years. In any biennium, almost one-third of the bills affect municipalities and this year in the wake of the 2011 floods legislators were particularly attentive to municipal needs. Local governments will benefit as much as legislators if you can keep those communications flowing.

If you and your colleagues are to make an informed decision about who to vote for, you need to know the candidates’ stances on various positions. Cultivating a face-to-face personal relationship early in a legislator’s term of office – or even before he or she is elected – is key to maximizing accountability when he or she is in the State House.

How to Hold a Candidate Forum

To help you host and publicize a Candidate Forum, VLCT is providing:

• A draft agenda and suggestions for running the Candidate Forum.

• A letter of invitation to candidates.

• A draft press/website release notifying the public of the Candidate Forum.

• A list of questions to ask candidates about their positions on subjects of vital interest to municipalities.

Social media tools that municipalities use vary significantly around the state. Remember to post to Facebook, Twitter, Frontporch or any other social media your town uses!

If you have any questions about hosting a Candidate Forum, please contact khorn@vlct.org. We are happy to provide whatever assistance we can, and we look forward to hearing the results of your Candidate Forum.

Available CDBG Grant Applications

Fri, 07 Sep 2012 00:00:00 -0400

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has approved Vermont’s Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery Action Plan. CDBG-DR applications are now available through the Vermont Department of Economic, Housing and Community Development (DEHCD). A total of $21.6 million in HUD CDBG-DR funding is available to help communities, businesses, organizations and individuals with long-term disaster recovery. The funding will be distributed through both a competitive grant application process and state direct allocations, as outlined in the Action Plan.

Individuals pursuing FEMA “buy-outs” for their damaged properties do not need to submit an application to the state to access CDBG-DR funding for the 25% match. CDBG-DR funding has been made available to the regional planning commissions through the Two Rivers-Ottauquechee Regional Commission (TRORC) to provide this assistance directly to property owners. TRORC is working with property owners, municipalities and the Vermont Emergency Management Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) staff to coordinate property “buy-outs”. TRORC will be in direct communication with all known property owners in the coming weeks. For more information please call the HMGP Information Line at 1-866-953-2325 or email questions to TRORC at kgeiger@trorc.org.

Individuals needing assistance with housing repair and recovery do not need to submit an application to the state to access CDBG-DR funding. CDBG-DR funding for housing recovery will be distributed through the statewide network of homeownership centers, also known as the NeighborWorks Alliance of Vermont, and will be administered by Gilman Housing Trust. The homeownership centers operate in all regions of the state and will provide direct assistance to homeowners and small rental property owners impacted by last years’ flooding. The funding is available for rehabilitation and flood damage repairs, services, grants and low interest loans. In addition, the HOCs will provide financial counseling services to assist with home purchase, foreclosure prevention and advocacy assistance with lenders, insurance, FEMA and other flood programs. The HOCs will serve as the source for CDBG-DR funding for flood repair and replacement housing. If you need assistance, please contact them directly at 888-698-8466.

If you are an individual who needs disaster recovery help and you do not already have a case manager working with you, please contact Dawn Butterfield at 1-800-846-9506 to get one assigned to you. Case managers can play a critical role in your recovery and are the best people to assist you with connecting all the resources available to you and addressing your individual needs.

Grant applications are now being accepted from communities, organizations, farms, businesses and other groups impacted by last years’ flooding. Eight million dollars in competitive grant funding is available to restore community infrastructure, build and relocate replacement housing and assist businesses re-open and recover. Potential applicants should review the information provided on the CDBG-DR website http://accd.vermont.gov/strong_communities/opportunities/funding/cdbgdr and email general questions to ACCD.CDBGDisasterRecovery@state.vt.us.

Several CDBG-DR Application Workshops have been scheduled to assist potential applicants with the process and provide information about the grant program. Online applications are available at http://development.grants.vermont.gov and will require a registration process to ensure eligibility. If you have already attended a CDBG-DR Application Workshop or have already received technical assistance and wish to start an application, please contact Cindy Blondin at 802-828-5219 or cindy.blondin@state.vt.us to register.

Audits and Single Audits: Requirements and Related Information

Fri, 07 Sep 2012 00:00:00 -0400

Does your town need a single audit? The following VLCT News article can help you decide. If you do need an audit, look to the other two documents for more help.

• VLCT News article about the single audit

• Model Request for Proposals for Auditing Services designed for small towns or those that are seeking an audit for the first time. It’s a Word document so you can tailor it to your town’s needs.

• A list of municipal auditing firms reported by towns in the 2012 Municipal Census.

EPA Climate and Energy Strategy Guide

Fri, 28 Sep 2012 00:00:00 -0400

Earlier this year, the EPA released Resource Conservation and Recovery: A Guide to Developing and Implementing Greenhouse Gas Reduction Programs, a climate and energy strategy guide for local governments. Resource conservation and recovery strategies involve avoiding, delaying, or decreasing the raw materials required for the production of new products through source reduction, reuse, recycling, composting, and energy recovery. These practices can reduce greenhouse gas emissions throughout the life-cycle of materials, while also reducing air pollution, energy use, and landfilling costs.

The guide is part of EPA’s Local Government Climate and Energy Strategy Series, which is designed to help policy makers and program staff plan, implement, and evaluate cost-effective climate and energy projects that generate environmental, economic, social, and human health benefits. Other guides in this series are at www.epa.gov/statelocalclimate/resources/strategy-guides.html.

Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Program

Fri, 26 Oct 2012 00:00:00 -0400

The U.S. Department of Justice has awarded grants to 25 law enforcement departments across Vermont to aid in the purchase of bulletproof vests for state and local officers. Jurisdictions slated to receive awards include individual towns, counties, and the Vermont State Police. The grants are made possible by the Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Program, which Senator Patrick Leahy authored in 1998. For details, please read this press release.

2013 Vermont Home Energy Challenge

Tue, 30 Oct 2012 00:00:00 -0400

Help your neighbors reduce their energy bills by participating in the 2013 Vermont Home Energy Challenge. Efficiency Vermont, in partnership with the Vermont Energy and Climate Action Network, is seeking local organizations to champion the Challenge in their communities and to sign up to participate. Under the Challenge, local organizations will foster public awareness about energy saving opportunities in the home and will set a target of weatherizing 3 percent of the homes in their community over the course of a year. Towns will then be able to measure their progress toward their goals along with that of other communities in their region and across the state. At the end of the year, towns will be recognized and awarded for the effectiveness of their efforts to encourage participation in their communities.

Be sure your town participates! Sign-up is easy. Go to www.efficiencyvermont.com/homeenergychallenge for details. More information is available in Efficiency Vermont's Implementation Guide, or contact Paul Markowitz, Community Energy Program Manager, at 802-540-7608 or pmarkowitz@veic.org.

FEMA Public Assistance Update

Thu, 01 Nov 2012 00:00:00 -0400

Helpful information from Vermont's Public Assistance Officer and Irene Recovery Officer concerning FEMA's Public Assistance process consists of

a Project Worksheet Scope Change Request Checklist; and
a letter from Vermont's Public Assistance Officer and Irene Recovery Officer focusing on identifying problem Project Worksheets, a Survey Monkey questionnaire, and access to EMMIE.

FY13 Per Pupil Education Spending and Tax Rates

Thu, 01 Nov 2012 00:00:00 -0400

The Public Assets Institute has created an interactive map that shows per-pupil education spending, income-based school tax rates, and property rates for Vermont towns here.

Vermont Outdoor Recreation Plan Public Comment