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Williamstown commission votes to pursue Municipal Planning Grant to update town plan
Summary
The Williamstown Planning Commission unanimously approved pursuing a Municipal Planning Grant that would fund a roughly year-long town plan update; commissioners outlined a $25,000 scope with a 10% town match and deadlines March 31 (application), April 30 (awards) and a possible May 1 start.
The Williamstown Planning Commission voted unanimously March 12 to move forward with a Municipal Planning Grant (MPG) application that would fund an update to the town plan and related documents. Jasmin Couillard made the motion to approve moving forward with the Municipal Planning Grant application; Horace Duke seconded, and "All approved," the minutes record.
Chair Rich Turner summarized the MPG timeline and process: the application window opened Jan. 27 and closed March 31, awards are set for April 30, and grants can begin May 1. Turner said the Central Vermont Regional Planning Commission (CVRPC) would act as consultant and bill the town, with a typical reimbursement schedule of 30%/30%/40%. He described a proposed budget of $25,000 with a 10% town match ($2,500) and noted the town's Village Designation Center status should strengthen the application; the town's maximum award is $30,000 and the commission currently has $8,000 in its budget to apply to the work.
Turner asked commissioners to help gather letters of support from local organizations (the historical society, library, food shelf and school system) because the application awards points for community backing. He also said CVRPC would attend the commission's May meeting for a potential grant kick-off if Williamstown receives funding; if not awarded, CVRPC would still visit to discuss planning work. The commission listed several statutory areas for updates in the application, including Act 171, Act 174 (Energy Planning), Act 181 (land use changes), the Home Act and Act 121 (Flood Safety).
