Vermont seeking comment about Hud Programs: Each year the State of Vermont - Agency of Commerce and Community Development, Agency of Human Services and Vermont Housing and Conservation Board receives funding for HUD programs through the Consolidated Plan or Annual Plan update process which identifies priorities based on needs from the housing needs assessment, market analysis, citizen and stakeholder input.  At the end of the program year the state is required to report on the performance outcomes outlined from those plans in their Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER).  They have completed the FY22 Program Year DRAFT CAPER which includes the outcomes for the following programs: Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME) Housing Trust Fund (HTF) Emergency Solutions Grant Program (ESG); and Community Development Block Grant CARES Act (CDBG-CV) Emergency Solutions Grant Program CARES Act (ESG-CV).   As a representative for a unit of general local government, please share the attached notice with your local residents including minorities,The state is seeking comments by September 27, 2023.

TEST TW WEATHER

Posted on

Please complete a Citizen Survey about broadband internet service!

From Bronna Zlochiver and Munson Hicks, town liaisons to the Windham Regional Commission:

Broadband survey responses due in March!

Beginning in February, Vernon residents will be asked to complete surveys requesting information about their current broadband service.  Completing the survey is the only way to assure Vernon’s current and future broadband business and personal needs will be evaluated against other Vermont towns.  With a March submission deadline, time is of the essence if Vernon wants a seat at the table.

This survey launches a statewide effort to create Communications Union Districts (CUD’s) so communities can work together to bring high speed internet service to all of Vermont.  Many towns in the state have limited service or no service at all.

The purpose of the survey is to find out the current profile of service in Vernon. Essentially, you will be asked to let the commission know these five things about your internet service-

  1. Where do you live?
  2. What have you got for service now?
  3. What do you need for service?
  4. What do you want for service in the future?
  5. What might you be willing to pay for that service?

All of this information is crucial for the town to be able to decide what our internet access will be like for the next 50-100 years.

As technology moves forward at the speed of light (literally), towns need to prepare for the future now.

Once this information is collected and analyzed, the town will get the chance to decide what to do — stay with what we have, create a CUD with other towns, or pursue our own broadband internet service.

By law, none of these proposals or improvements can be done with taxpayer funds, so there will be no effect on tax rates.

We hope to have a large response from the town so that the town can make informed decisions for the future of the town.

We are also eager to have volunteer help to get this done!

More information can be found a here on the Windham Regional Commission website.