Commissioners briefed on committees, programs and regional projects at Northwest RPC orientation

Catherine, director of the Northwest Regional Planning Commission, opened an orientation for new commissioners and staff, laying out the commission’s governance, committee structure, core programs and staff roles. She welcomed new members and said the session would cover “big picture pieces” and point them to a forthcoming updated commissioner handbook.

The RPC explained it is one of 11 regional planning commissions in Vermont and is a political subdivision of the state, governed by a board of commissioners. Catherine said the commission’s duties are set in state statute and used to decide which projects the RPC pursues. She described two types of committees: standing committees established in the RPC bylaws (executive, finance, personnel, project review, regional plan & policy) and advisory committees formed by board action to serve specific purposes.

On standing committees, Catherine gave practical details: the executive committee meets monthly on the third Tuesday; the finance committee meets three to four times a year to review budgets and audits; the personnel committee meets as needed and, in consultation with the executive committee, sets staff salaries and conducts hiring interviews. She said there is space on several committees and encouraged new commissioners to join.

Catherine described the project review committee’s role in vetting proposals that come before Act 250 and the Public Utilities Commission to make sure projects conform with the regional plan. She also said the regional plan & policy committee is meeting monthly to update the eight‑year regional plan and review state agency plans and the annual indicators report.

The RPC highlighted several advisory and program committees: the Transportation Advisory Committee (municipal appointees that help prioritize local transportation projects); the Brownfield steering committee (which helps select sites and advise on assessment and cleanup grant spending); the Climate & Energy Committee (updating the regional energy plan); the Healthy Roots advisory seat (food-systems work); and two basin water quality councils advising clean-water projects in the Missisquoi and Lamoille basins.

Catherine said the commission’s core work includes strengthening municipal capacity—helping towns keep their town plans and bylaws current, providing grant writing and administration, serving as project manager for local transportation construction grants, providing intermunicipal zoning administration in some towns, and offering technical assistance and trainings (for example, on open meeting law and construction techniques).

On collaboration, Catherine cited an example of cross‑town problem‑solving: when one town raised a tire‑collection issue, the RPC worked with the solid waste district to create a program that served multiple municipalities. Several commissioners voiced appreciation: Howard and others described the RPC staff as “invaluable” for navigating complex bureaucratic processes and advancing local projects.

The orientation closed with Catherine promising an updated staff list tied to projects, an updated handbook with policy links, and an email list of committee openings. She urged commissioners to report back to their municipalities and to consider committee participation to maximize the benefit of their service.

The board adjourned after a final round of questions about committee openings and meeting schedules.