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
Draft Regional Trails Plan Available for Public Comment
CNHRPC has teamed up with Southern NH Regional Planning Commission (SNHPC) to coordinate multiple trail organizations along the Salem to Concord corridor. The 2021 Update to the 2012 Regional Trails Strategic Plan was developed by CNHRPC and SNHPC staff with assistance from trail groups and municipal staff. Comments on the draft plan can be sent to Craig Tufts at ctufts@cnhrpc.org. The plan can be viewed here:
Public Comment Period – Nonmetropolitan Areas of NH Cooperative Public Process for Transportation Planning Efforts
The NHDOT is opening a 60-day public comment period on the draft document titled – Nonmetropolitan Areas of NH Cooperative Public Process for Transportation Planning Efforts in New Hampshire, May 28, 2021. The purpose of the document is to identify the many opportunities for nonmetropolitan officials to participate and be publicly involved in numerous NHDOT efforts. The draft is an update to the May 2016 document. The public comment period will be open from May 28, 2021 through the close of business (4:00 PM) on July 28, 2021. Refer to the NHDOT website page for further information. https://www.nh.gov/dot/org/projectdevelopment/planning/index.htm
Provide your input on the Turkey River Watershed!
The Upper Merrimack Watershed Association is seeking your input as we develop the comprehensive restoration and management plan for the Turkey River watershed. Your essential local knowledge and perspective will help shape the goals and recommendations included in this plan so that it reflects the needs, desires, and values of the four watershed communities. Even if you just visit the watershed, your knowledge and perspective are requested.
The Turkey River watershed comprises 37 square miles in the communities of Bow, Concord, Dunbarton, and Hopkinton and is home to a vast array of terrestrial and aquatic plant and animal species. The watershed contains 15 active dams and over 100 stream crossings that can potentially fragment and disrupt fish passage, and are a possible detriment to water quality. Please consider spending just a few minutes providing your local knowledge and perspective for this important project. Thank you.
Survey link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/TurkeyRiver
NHDOT Announced Changes to Toll Collection Hours
The New Hampshire Department of Transportation (NHDOT) announces changes to toll collection operations, which are expected to continue for the foreseeable future.
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:
- Historical Timeline
- Corridor Spotlights
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.
