The CNHRPC office is closed to the public until further notice as per Governor Sununu’s Emergency Orders 17 and 40. The CNHRPC operations will continue during the COVID-19 State of Emergency. All CNHRPC staff have been given the option to work from home until such time that it deemed safe to return to the office. Our staff are equipped with the necessary technology, network access and remote meeting tools to communicate with you effectively.
We are all accessible via email. For staff email addresses, please visit the Contact Us page. You can also call the main CNHRPC office line at 226-6020.

What’s New

Public Notice:
CNHRPC DRAFT FY2023-2032 Transportation Improvement Program
Public Comment Period/March 31, 2021 Public Hearing

The Central NH Regional Planning Commission (CNHRPC) is announcing the public comment period and public hearing for the Draft 2023-2332 Regional Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). 

Questions and comments can be sent by email to dwilliams@cnhrpc.org through March 31, 2021. A public hearing is scheduled on March 31, 2021 at 7:00pm as part of the CNHRPC Full Commission meeting where the TIP will be considered for adoption. The public hearing is being held via Zoom due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The DRAFT TIP is available online here:

CNHRPC Draft TIP 2023-2032Download

March 31 Public Hearing Online Access: 

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85399142652?pwd=UDMwdUVHUmNZNmg3bU41OFhXR1dYZz09

Passcode: 7886
Meeting ID: 853 9914 2652
Telephone-only Access: (301) 715-8592 

Public Notice: Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Section 5310 Program

Community Action Program Belknap-Merrimack Counties, Inc. (CAPBMCI), in cooperation with the Region 3 Regional Coordinating Council for Community Transportation, intends to submit an application for funding assistance to provide transportation to seniors and individuals with disabilities pursuant to the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Section 5310 – Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Program for fiscal years 2022 and 2023.  Community Action Program Belknap-Merrimack Counties, Inc. (CAPBMCI) will request funding for the continued support of the Volunteer Driver Program, Regional Mobility Manager, Rural Transit Service expansion and the Mid-State RCC Taxi Voucher Program within the Mid State region. The estimated value of the FTA grant for each fiscal year is $261,746, which represents 80% of the estimated total of the combined programs budget. For more information, or to request a public hearing, please contact Cindy Yanski, Mobility Manager, CAPBMCI at 603-225-3295 or mobilitymanager@bm-cap.org within thirty (30) days.

CNHRPC Awarded Bicycle Friendly Business Award 

In early July, the League of American Bicyclist recognized CNHRPC with a Bronze Level Bicycle Friendly Business (BFB) award, earning it a place alongside over 1,400 businesses across the country and contributing the movement to build a more Bicycle Friendly America. CNHRPC joins 75 other new and renewing BFBs in the League’s Spring 2020 round of business awards, which includes government agencies, Fortune 500 companies, bike shops, and other employers across industries. CNHRPC has also been added to the online Bicycle Friendly America Award Database and Connect Locally Map at bikeleague.org. To learn more about the BFB program, or to apply, visit the League online at www.bikeleague.org/business.

CNHRPC Regional Transportation Plan Corridor Spotlights

As part of the RTP, eight regionally significant corridors throughout the region have been identified to examine closely for key demographic trends, recent and historic land use patterns, and specific transportation projects. Titled Corridor Spotlights, the draft versions of these can be seen below. Also available for viewing is a historical timeline of transportation development within the region. CNHRPC Regional Transportation Plan Draft Documents:

Emergency Order #23 – Modification of Municipal & Local government Statutory Requirements 
Guidance on Public Meetings during COVID-19 State of Emergency

Governor Sununu has issued Executive Order #12 which provides new guidance on the conduct of meetings, including electronic meetings. In addition, the New Hampshire Department of Justice has issued guidance on public meetings during the COVID-19 pandemic. If you have questions or need some assistance related to public meetings please contact Matt Monahan at CNHRPC.

What Municipalities should know about Coronavirus – 2019 (COVID-19)

The New Hampshire Municipal Association is providing these resources from federal and state agencies in order to assist cities and towns in developing appropriate responses at the local level regarding COVID-19. Topics include The Right-to-Know Law, Town meeting Postponement, NH SEOC Activation, and more. https://www.nhmunicipal.org/covid-19-resources. 

Biking/Walking Resources and Activities to Utilize During the COVID-19 Pandemic

CommuteSmart NH has provided some informative resources and fun activities related to biking and walking during the COVID-19 pandemic. Biking and walking is an ideal way of getting around while maintaining social distancing, combating cabin fever, reducing stress and increasing your health. Please remain safe and make smart decisions for both you and others. You should follow your local government’s guidelines at all times, which supersedes any guidance or recommendations provided here.  View all of the resources here: http://commutesmartnh.org/covid-19-resources-activities/

CNHRPC Community Profiles Have Been Updated

The CNHRPC Community Profiles have been updated with newly released 2014-2018 American Community Survey data! View them here! 

Carsey School of Public Policy Releases What is New Hampshire?

Useful to policymakers, nonprofits, business leaders, and New Hampshire residents, What is New Hampshire? is now in the hands of the Carsey School of Public Policy after previously being produced by the New Hampshire Center for Public Policy Studies. While there are some different data sources and historical comparison periods employed in this version, the biggest change is that What is New Hampshire? has moved largely online. As a result:

  • Graphics are interactive—allowing users who wish for deeper dives to see data in different ways while not bogging down the presentation for users who do not.
  • There will be no single date when the entire publication is released. During 2019 and 2020 sections will be added as they are completed. Subsequently, they will be updated periodically. They will be structured so that as new data are available sections can be updated periodically.

The purpose of What is New Hampshire? is to set a factual baseline of understanding as the state makes decisions about its future. It is a set of facts and simple descriptive text describing where we are, where we have been, and what challenges we may face based on our analysis.

New Hampshire Flood Hazards Handbook for Municipal Officials

A valuable new flood hazards resource is now available for NH’s public officials relating to flood preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation. A team collaboration of federal and NH State agencies under the NH Silver Jackets program developed the New Hampshire Flood Hazards Handbook, A Guide for Municipal Officials. Completed with local and regional experienced-based feedback based on flooding events in New Hampshire communities over the last 15 years, the resource was finalized in October 2019 and is available online for download on the NH Silver Jackets website.

The Guide is organized into situation-specific sections: Before the Flood, During the Flood, and After the Flood (both Short Term and Long Term Recovery). Included is an editable Emergency Flood Response and Recovery Checklist for Emergency Management Directors to use during a flooding situation and a list containing essential State Agency Contact Information. An informative article describing the Flood Hazards Handbook in depth is located on the NH Municipal Association website. For further information about the Handbook, contact Samara Ebinger at the NH Office of Strategic Initiatives (NH OSI) by email at samara.ebinger@osi.nh.gov or by phone at 603.271.1755. Be sure to follow NH Homeland Security and Emergency Management on Twitter @NH_HSEM. Please download your copy of the NH Flood Hazards Handbook today!

FY 2021-2030 Transportation Improvement Program

CNHRPC’s Regional Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) to cover Fiscal Years 2021-2030 was adopted by CNHRPC’s Full Commission on April 11, 2019.
The CNHRPC 2021-2030 TIP

NH-MS4 Municipalities Blog

This NH Stormwater Regional Coalitions Blog, NH-MS4, is for the New Hampshire Seacoast Stormwater Coalition and the Nashua/Manchester Regional Stormwater Coalition communities, and it is hosted by the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services’ Watershed Assistance Section. Please visit this site for meeting information, resources and updates related to New Hampshire MS4 (Municipal Separate Storm Sewer, Systems) municipalities.

Tiny Houses, and the Not-So-Tiny Questions They Raise

Zoning Practice, November 2015
American Planning Association
Issue Number 11, Practice Tiny Houses

The New Law on Accessory Dwelling Units

This handout developed by the NHMA is meant to provide a basic Do’s and Don’ts for the new Accessory Dwelling Unit statue. The last page contains proposed language for a simple zoning amendment that would allow an ADU by right under a local zoning ordinance.
The New Law on Accessory Dwelling Units

CNHRPC Member Communities

Click on the towns below to access that towns official web site.