Phone: 603-778-0885
Fax: 603-778-9183

News

2019-02-26 - RPC To Host Region Electricity Supply Aggregation Informational Meeting on 3/18

Rockingham Planning Commission is forming an electricity supply aggregation for municipal, school, and county facilities in our region. The goal of the Electricity Supply Aggregation is to purchase electricity as a group from a competitive supplier at a lower rate than each member could receive on its own. By purchasing as an aggregation, municipalities and school districts can offer electricity suppliers a larger demand than if they each tried to purchase electricity individually. The larger demand, in turn, allows suppliers to offer a better rate to the aggregation than it could to individual members. The aggregation also makes it possible for members to share the costs of documenting load data, organizing a RPF process, selecting a supplier, conducting negotiations, and managing energy contracts.

The first step is to gauge the level of interest among our member municipalities. While we do not need a firm commitment at this point, if you or your municipality are interested in participating please respond to Tim Roache, RPC Executive Director (troache@rpc-nh.org) to to the following questions by Friday, March 8.

  1. Who is the default electricity supplier for your municipal/school buildings? (ex. Eversource, Unitil, NH Electric Coop)
  2. Are any of your municipal/school electricity accounts currently with a competitive supplier?
    1. If yes, when does your current contract end?
  3. Do you have a current list of the electricity account numbers servicing your municipal/school buildings?
  4. Do you currently track electricity usage for your municipal/school buildings?
  5. Do you have any renewable energy projects planned for the next 2 years that would significantly reduce the amount of electricity you purchase from the grid?

We will hold our first informational meeting on Monday, March 18 at 10:00 AM at the Rockingham Planning Commission office, 156 Water Street, Exeter, NH (directions). We hope you can join us.

Additional information:

2019-02-20 - RPC Seeks Part-Time Public Outreach Administrator

The Rockingham Planning Commission (RPC) is seeking a dynamic professional to provide administrative support and manage its social media and public outreach activities. RPC provides a variety of land use, transportation, economic development and environmental planning services to 27 communities in southeast New Hampshire. This position is responsible for administrative office support, coordinating public meetings and events; managing social media; preparing newsletters; updating website content and managing relations with RPC commissioners and stakeholders. The ideal candidate for this position has an Associates degree or two years of experience. Experience with Adobe Creative Suite, website management and database skills are desirable.

This position is up to 20 hours per week which will include some evening meetings. The commission fosters a work environment that encourages continued professional development in an atmosphere that promotes a healthy work/life balance. To apply, submit a cover letter and resume to Annette Pettengill at apettengill@rpc-nh.org.


This position will remain open until filled or the recruitment is cancelled. The RPC is an equal opportunity employer.

2019-02-19 - OSI Publishes 2018 Planning Board and Zoning Board of Adjustment Handbooks for Local Officials

The Office of Strategic Initiatives (OSI) has published the 2018 editions of The Planning Board in New Hampshire: A Handbook for Local Officials and The Board of Adjustment in New Hampshire: A Handbook for Local Officials. The handbooks are designed to serve as an introduction to the organization, powers, duties and procedures of planning boards and zoning boards of adjustment in New Hampshire. They are great resources to acquaint board members and other interested persons with the basic responsibilities of the planning and zoning board and to suggest procedures by which the work of the board can be carried out in a fair and effective manner. Both handbooks contain new legislation and amendments enacted during the 2018 Legislative Session. Hard copies can be ordered here.

2019-02-11 - RFQ: The Development of Country Pond Watershed Management Plan, Phase 1

Submission Deadline: 3/21

The Rockingham Planning Commission (RPC), with support from the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES), seeks responses to a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) from professional firms and other entities to work with RPC, NHDES, and project partners to develop a watershed management plan for Country Pond. To learn more about the project, RFQ process, contact information, and additional project information please download the RFQ here: Country Pond RFQ Final Feb 11



2019-01-25 - Rising Cost of Recycling Presentation

At the January 9, 2019, Rockingham Planning Commission meeting, our special guest Mike Dufor, Executive Director of the Northeast Resource Recovery Association, provided an informative presentation on the Rising Costs of Recycling. Chances are your community is feeling the pressure of the changing recycling markets and is being forced to make tough decisions about your recycling programs. This presentation provides a clear explanation of why the recycling markets have changed and what we might do at the local and regional level to adapt to those changes. RPC hopes this presentation is just the start of a larger regional conversation and the region can work together to find innovative solutions to this problem.

If you missed this meeting and presentation you can see it on the RPC website here. Feel free to share this link with your local social media networks and neighbors. If your community has local cable access share this link to download the video for use by local cable channels.

Special thanks to the Town of Raymond and Raymond Commissioner Christina McCarthy for providing the video capability.

[Environment]

2019-01-14 - Notice of 30 Day Comment Period and Public Hearing

2019-2022 Transportation Improvement Program and 2045 Plan

Notice of Comment Period and Public Hearing for the 2019-2022 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and 2045 Long Range Transportation Plan (Plan)

The Rockingham Planning Commission (RPC) announces its intent to adopt two documents:

  • The 2019-2022 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). This document is developed by RPC, regional transit agencies, and NH Department of Transportation and includes a prioritized list of transportation projects to be implemented over the next four years
  • The Amended 2045 Metropolitan Transportation Plan (Plan). The Plan is a document developed by the RPC that includes a set of transportation projects that can reasonably be expected to be constructed within the region over the next 20+ years.

A 30-day public comment period for the TIP and Plan documents begins Monday, January 14th, 2019 and concludes on Tuesday February 12th, 2019. A public hearing to solicit public comment is scheduled for Wednesday, February 13th, 2019, at the Kingston Community Library in Kingston, New Hampshire (2 Library Lane) beginning at 7:00 PM. The Planning Commission will meet after the public hearing to adopt the documents.

Consistent with the RPC’s Public Participation Process, this notice and comment period is also intended to meet FTA requirements for public comment on the programs of transit projects put forward by NHDOT, UNH and the COAST and CART transit systems.

Copies of the TIP and Plan, will be available the offices of the Rockingham Planning Commission offices, on the RPC website at http://www.rpc-nh.org, and will be sent to interested parties by request. Comments on the draft TIP and Plan can be submitted via the MPO’s public involvement site located at https://www.publicinput.com/3706. Alternatively, mailed and e-mailed comments will also be accepted through February 12th, 2019 until 4:00 PM and may be addressed to:

Rockingham Planning Commission

156 Water Street

Exeter, NH 03833

Email: transportation@rpc-nh.org with 2017-2020 TIP/Plan in the subject line

[Public Notices][Transportation]

2018-12-19 - 2018 Annual List of Obligated Projects Published

$63 Million in federal funds dedicated to transportation projects in the region

“Obligated” projects are those that the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) or Federal Transit Administration (FTA) have committed to reimbursing a share of the cost of construction or implementation. Pursuant to Federal Regulations in CFR §450.332, Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPO’s), as the entities responsible for maintaining the metropolitan transportation planning process, must make public an annual listing of projects for which federal transportation funds were obligated in the preceding fiscal year. These are generally projects that have been recently completed, are under construction, or are nearing construction, where federal transportation funds have been officially committed with a signed project agreement. The full report contains additional detail regarding these projects however some highlights include:

  • $ 50.5 million dollars in Federal Highway funds committed in the RPC region in 32 contracts addressing bridge, roadway, bicycle, and pedestrian oriented projects.
  • $ 12.5 Million in Federal Transit funds committed to COAST, CART, and UNH Wildcat Transit to support their operations and capital needs.
  • $18.9 million obligated towards the replacement of the Sarah Mildred Long Bridge between Portsmouth, NH and Kittery, ME.
  • $17.5 million obligated in the RPC region facilitating continued work on the I-93 expansion from Salem to Manchester.

Notice is hereby given that, acting in its capacity as the MPO for its planning district, the Rockingham Planning Commission has published its 2018 Annual Listing of Obligated Projects and made it available to be viewed and downloaded on the RPC website, www.rpc-nh.org. For more information, contact David Walker, Assistant Director, at the Rockingham Planning Commission, 156 Water St., Exeter, NH 03833; 603-778-0885 or email at dwalker@rpc-nh.org.

Additional detail on the Annual List of Obligated Projects

2018 Annual Listing of Obligated Projects

[Press Releases][Transportation]

2018-11-05 - Regional Impact Subcommittee will meet to discuss Lonza Expansion at Pease Tradeport

The Regional Impact Subcommittee of the Rockingham Planning Commission will meet at 4:00 PM on November 5th at the Exeter Public Library to discuss the proposed expansion of Lonza facilities at the Pease Tradeport as per the NH RSA 36:54-58 established process. As explained in RSA 36:54-58, a determination of regional impact affords the abutting communities and the regional planning commission the status of abutter. It is also an opportunity to broaden the scope of review and in doing so, gain additional input and technical support in the review of large, complex development proposals and evaluate potential effects on inter-municipal agreements. During this meeting, the subcommittee will hear a presentation on the proposal, as well as concerns from abutters and the general public. RPC will provide findings from the review and the meeting to the host community to aid in its review of the project. Further RPC guidance can be found on the RPC Regional Impacts webpage.

Agenda - 11/5/2018 Developments of Regional Impact Subcommittee


[Land Use][Public Notices][Transportation]

2018-10-15 - RPC 2018 Legislative Forum - Growing Younger: Reversing Demographic Trends in NH 11/7 from 6-9 PM in Hampton

Rockingham Planning Commission hosts an annual Legislative Forum on topics of interest to legislators, commissioners and municipal officials. The 2018 Forum is scheduled for November 7, 2018 and will focus on shifting the demographic trend towards a younger population. RPC sponsors this annual forum so municipal officials and RPC Commissioners can meet informally with our legislative delegation to discuss issues important to the communities.

This year’s forum is on “Growing Younger: Planning to Reverse the Demographic Trends in New Hampshire.” RPC has assembled a panel of experts to share their insights as we plan for the future of our communities. Please join our conversation as we consider the regional challenges and opportunities related to accommodating an aging population while attracting and retaining a talented and professional workforce. The panel presentation will be followed by a conversation to address questions and share additional ideas. As in the past, we will hold the forum at Unitil corporate headquarters in Hampton.

Please RSVP by November 1 to Annette Pettengill at 603-778-0885 or apettengill@rpc-nh.org.

2018 Legislative Forum

Growing Younger: Planning to Reverse the Demographic Trends in NH

November 7, 2018 - 6:00- 9:00 PM

Unitil Headquarters - 6 Liberty Lane West, Hampton NH

(directions)

Draft Agenda

Growing Younger: Panel Discussion

  • Setting the stage: Current Demographic Trends in New Hampshire
    • Ken Gallager, Principal Planner Office of Strategic Initiatives.
  • Reversing the Trend: How to Attract and Retain a Vibrant Talented Workforce
    • Will Stewart, Stay Work Play NH
  • Planning for a Younger Future: Age Friendly Communities
    • Sylvia Von Aulock, Southern New Hampshire Planning Commission


2018-09-21 - 2018-2019 NH Planning and Land Use Regulation Handbook Orders Due 10/22

It is once again time to submit orders for the 2018-2019 edition of the NH Planning and Land Use Regulation Handbook.


The three options are:

  • The book alone - $8.00
  • The book plus an attached CD version of the content - $15.00
  • The book plus the code to download an e-version of the book - $15.00

If you need to reference how many books you ordered last year, and what options, you may view the following PDF: 2017 Book Orders.

Please submit your orders no later than Friday, October 19, 2018.

For questions about orders and payment, please contact Annette Pettengill at apettengill@rpc-nh.org or 603-778-0885.

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