$500 Mini Grants for Towns and Schools!

The VTrans Public Transit Section offers grants to municipalities and schools to assist in building a statewide outreach and advocacy network for the Go! Vermont Program. Who is eligible?

selectboards
school groups (K-12)
volunteer committees (such as town energy committees)

Learn more!

Town
Volunteer
Toolkit

Toolkit

In Vermont and New Hampshire, transportation is the largest single source of greenhouse gases.

This toolkit is for community volunteers who would like to locally tackle the climate impacts of our car-centered transportation system.

Mobility
Checklist

Learn More

Winner of the Planning Project of the Year Award from the NH Planners Association in 2008! This checklist helps developers, planners, and town boards understand how to “think beyond the car” and integrate biking, walking, and transit into their plan development. It was created with the help of the Upper Valley’s professional planning community and revised in 2014.

Smart Commute Home Edition

Our Smart Commute Home Edition program worked with towns to lower residents’ transportation costs. Modeled after our successful workplace-based program, Home Edition followed a simple process to evaluate opportunities and develop tailored recommendations like new park-and-ride lots, improved marketing of carpool and bus resources, better telecommuting opportunities, electric vehicle charging stations, and more.

Smart Commute created a tailored commuting program designed to meet the needs of participating towns. Starting with a short survey of town residents, we established baseline data on commuting habits, developed a sustainable commuting plan, and worked with town officials and volunteers to implement it.

Participating Towns

2014 Smart Commute Bradford Action Plan
2014 Smart Commute Hartford Action Plan
2015 S mart Commute Hartland Action Plan
2014 Smart Commute Norwich Action Plan
2015 Smart Commute Royalton Action Plan
2015 Smart Commute Sharon Action Plan
2014 Smart Commute Windsor Action Plan
2016 Smart Commute Action Plan for Sustainable Woodstock

Commuter

Calculator

Resources for Towns

White River Junction Downtown Parking Study Final Report (2017)
This study for the Town of Hartford, Vermont, was produced by Vital Communities and RSG to examine parking constraints and options in the town’s burgeoning historic downtown.

A Look at the Municipal Vehicle Registration Fee (2015)
This study examines an optional $5 vehicle registration fee used by over a dozen New Hampshire municipalities to build local transportation improvement funds. Authorized under RSA 261:153 VI, the optional fee allows municipalities to establish local transportation improvement funds for projects as diverse as basic road maintenance, sidewalk construction, and public transit. The study concludes that many towns are seeing significant benefits from the optional fee and more are interested in adopting the optional program.

Mobility Checklist (2014)
Winner of the Planning Project of the Year Award from the NH Planners Association in 2008! This checklist helps developers, planners, and town boards understand how to “think beyond the car” and integrate biking, walking, and transit into their plan development. It was created with the help of the Upper Valley’s professional planning community and revised in 2014.

Managing Transportation Demand in the NH Route 120 Corridor: Policy, Finance, and Governance Options (2012)
This study examines how a commute trip reduction ordinance, parking revenue, and a corridor management authority could improve transportation options in the Route 120 corridor.

A Widening Gap (2007)
This study advocates for increased funding for transit services in New Hampshire and Vermont.

Operational Impact Study of Advance Transit Fixed-Route Bus Network (2005)
The “Operational Impact Study” examines the positive contribution of Advance Transit to maintaining clean air in the Upper Valley.

East Central Vermont Sustainability Consortium
Vital Communities is proud to be part of the East Central Vermont Sustainability Consortium, a three-year effort to plan for the future needs of Orange and Windsor Counties, Vermont.

Success Stories

Lend Your Voice to Local/National Commute Survey

The commutes of many Upper Valley residents have changed significantly due to COVID-19, with many shifting to telecommuting. Now that workplaces are s [...]

Your Bus in Real-Time.

Not sure when and where to catch Advance Transit or if the bus is on time? Download the Advance Transit Real Time App or check the Where’s My Bus? f [...]

Bike to Work Day at Dartmouth College

Bethany and I arrived bright and early at the Hop at Dartmouth College Friday, May 19, to greet employees and students who arrived that morning on two [...]

Dirty Hands, Clean Bikes

I had a lot of fun teaching a Basic Bike Maintenance workshop at the Upper Valley Haven on April 29, ably assisted by Lisa from the Haven! A doze [...]

Spring Into Bike Riding Season…

...with practical skills training to get you riding more! What is Everyday Bicycling? It’s using your bike for those everyday trips that we all ma [...]

Survey Says: Parking and Transportation in White River Junction Are…

Thank you to the more than 500 downtown White River Junction residents, employees, business owners, and visitors who took our survey about parkin [...]

Start a Vanpool in Woodstock!

Looking for a better way to get to work? If you have at least 5 people who share a similar commute and schedule, you can create a vanpool! Va [...]

Planning the Parking Future of White River Junction

Hartford Awards Grant for White River Junction Parking and Transportation Plan; Vital Communities and RSG to Lead Project Vital Communities and nei [...]

Advance Transit Releases Real-Time App

An increasingly common tool in urban areas, a real-time transit app has come to the Upper Valley. You can now use an iPhone or Android to see wher [...]

More Bus Service for the Bradford Area and I-91

Exciting new bus service improvements from our partner, Stagecoach Transportation Services! Expanded RIVER ROUTE (Wells River-Newbury-Bradford-Fa [...]

Calendar

	January 2021
					1 Vital Communities Holiday Vital Communities Holiday Starts: 12:00 am Ends: January 1, 2021 - 11:59 pm More details... •	2
3	4	5	6	7	8	9
10	11	12 Localvore Passport Webinar Localvore Passport Webinar Starts: 3:00 pm Ends: January 12, 2021 - 3:30 pm Location: (Zoom Line)-Zoom Line 1 Description: The Vermont-based Localvore platform connects conscientious consumers to the local businesses that make economies thrive. This App has been successfully connecting Burlington businesses and farms with new customers since 2012 with more than 500 businesses included in the Passport. Only a few Upper Valley businesses are included on the platform, so learn about how Localvore could be an effective and easy tool to help Upper Valley businesses connect with customers this winter and beyond. It's free for businesses to use and a coordinated outreach effort to get this App launched in the Upper Valley is possible if there is enough interest from businesses. Details about how this works for businesses is below. Come with your questions! Vital Communities is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting 1/12 or 1/13 at 10:00 am.Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86089600458?pwd=cFJSOHNjc005Y1hsMXFwZjZQS2dXQT09 Meeting ID: 860 8960 0458 Passcode: 075334 One tap mobile +13017158592,,86089600458# US (Washington D.C) Here's a summary of how Localvore Passport works for businesses and how they can participate for FREE. Attached is a "Merchant Sales Brochure". There are 3 core components of the platform that help consumers connect with businesses. 1. Our Directory is simple. It's your business listing, a photo, and information to help customers discover and engage with your business. If you don't have a profile set up, email dan@localvore.co and we will curate one to your liking. 2. Creating a Local Offer: Once your Directory profile is set up, you can customize an offer that Localvores can use however often you want them to. And, you can always change the offer or take it down. This google form is a simple way to get started, and then I usually have a brief 15-minute call to make sure all the details are correct and that they understand the redemption process and other expectations. Localvore Business Intake Form. 3. News Feed: Once your Directory profile is set up all you have to do is include #localvore in your Instagram posts, and those will show up on Localvore too! More details... •	13 Localvore Passport Webinar Localvore Passport Webinar Starts: 3:00 pm Ends: January 13, 2021 - 3:30 pm Location: (Zoom Line)-Zoom Line 1 Description: The Vermont-based Localvore platform connects conscientious consumers to the local businesses that make economies thrive. This App has been successfully connecting Burlington businesses and farms with new customers since 2012 with more than 500 businesses included in the Passport. Only a few Upper Valley businesses are included on the platform, so learn about how Localvore could be an effective and easy tool to help Upper Valley businesses connect with customers this winter and beyond. It's free for businesses to use and a coordinated outreach effort to get this App launched in the Upper Valley is possible if there is enough interest from businesses. Details about how this works for businesses is below. Come with your questions! Vital Communities is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting 1/12 or 1/13 at 10:00 am.Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86089600458?pwd=cFJSOHNjc005Y1hsMXFwZjZQS2dXQT09 Meeting ID: 860 8960 0458 Passcode: 075334 One tap mobile +13017158592,,86089600458# US (Washington D.C) Here's a summary of how Localvore Passport works for businesses and how they can participate for FREE. Attached is a "Merchant Sales Brochure". There are 3 core components of the platform that help consumers connect with businesses. 1. Our Directory is simple. It's your business listing, a photo, and information to help customers discover and engage with your business. If you don't have a profile set up, email dan@localvore.co and we will curate one to your liking. 2. Creating a Local Offer: Once your Directory profile is set up, you can customize an offer that Localvores can use however often you want them to. And, you can always change the offer or take it down. This google form is a simple way to get started, and then I usually have a brief 15-minute call to make sure all the details are correct and that they understand the redemption process and other expectations. Localvore Business Intake Form. 3. News Feed: Once your Directory profile is set up all you have to do is include #localvore in your Instagram posts, and those will show up on Localvore too! More details... Leadership Upper Valley Session Leadership Upper Valley Session Starts: 12:00 am Ends: January 13, 2021 - 11:59 pm More details... • •	14	15	16
17	18 Vital Communities Holiday Vital Communities Holiday Starts: 12:00 am Ends: January 18, 2021 - 11:59 pm More details... •	19	20	21	22	23
24	25	26	27	28 UVTMA Monthly Meeting - REMOTE UVTMA Monthly Meeting - REMOTE Starts: 9:00 pm Ends: January 28, 2021 - 10:30 pm Location: By video conference Description: This is the meeting of the Upper Valley Transportation Management Association. For spring 2020 and until further notice, meetings will be held remotely. More details... •	29	30
31

Vital Communities Program News

"Put Your Money Where Your Life Is": Reclaiming Our Local Economy

"Put Your Money Where Your Life Is": Reclaiming Our Local Economy Event series focuses on local investment as a tool for rebuilding our region's economy "When the pandemic recedes, we all will be called upon to take extraordinary ...more

Localvore Passport Webinar

Learn how Localvore Passport can help your business connect with customers at an informational webinar, Tuesday, January 12 or Wednesday, January 13! (Attend either event. The same information will be presented twice; Zoom link below). Vermont-based Localvore is ...more

Upper Valley Everyone Eats: The Common Good; Not-So-Common Meals

With the close of 2020 came a pause for Upper Valley Everyone Eats (UVEE), the local hub of Vermont’s coronavirus relief program, Vermont Everyone Eats (VEE), which pays Vermont restaurants $10/meal to prepare free meals ...more

2020 Volunteers of the Year: The Upper Valley’s Mutual Aid Groups

When the COVID-19 pandemic arrived in the Upper Valley, it brought an ever-lengthening list of questions and concerns. Would supplies of food and other essentials hold out? Where would those suddenly without income get help? ...more

Calling for Civil, Inclusive Communication & Interaction: Thoughts on January 6

As an organization that brings people together, bridging boundaries and engaging our whole community to create positive change, we were shocked and saddened by the images that came to us from Washington, DC, on Wednesday. ...more

That's Snow Excuse!

Don't be deterred by wet, cold or snow. Good times can be had when a-questing you go! Be sure to search our website Valley Quest page selecting for Season and Year Round to see what ...more

Have an Idea That Could Use a Lift?

New Hampshire Businesses, Farmers, Entrepreneurs, Nonprofits, Community Initiatives: Do you have an incredible project just waiting to happen? Want to grow your organization, our community, and the local economy, but don’t have access to capital? The Local Crowd ...more

Quest to Refresh Winners!

Congratulations to all the our participants in our Quest to Refresh Challenge! 28 teams took us up on the Challenge to get out and explore our Quests to beat the pandemic blues. Malcolm and Joseph Marchesi ...more

Why Bank Locally?

Where You Bank Makes a Difference! When you use a bank or credit union rooted in our community, you're making a conscious choice to support our local economy. Local First Champion member Mascoma Bank is a ...more

Fall Guided Quest in Wilder, VT

Join Vital Communities’ Valley Quest Coordinator Sandy Gmur along with Roy Black, lifelong resident of Wilder and a member of the Hartford Historical Society, on a guided exploration of the historic village of Wilder. Did ...more

Weatherize Webinar, August 17

Weatherize Webinar with NHSaves Monday, August 17 at Noon Did Covid-19 stop your 2020 weatherization plans in their tracks? NOW is the right time to jump back on the weatherize band wagon. Lower energy bills and cozy ...more

Pick Your Own is OPEN ♥

Yes...Local as Usual, Safer than Ever. Pick Your Own strawberry farms opened this past weekend. Get out there and pick the delish! There is nothing like ripe berries. So good. Each berry that comes into season ...more

Berries: Delicious, versatile and in season now!

The Upper Valley berry season typically ranges from late June to early October. In our short, but fruitful season, we can enjoy raspberries and strawberries (although neither are technically real berries), then move into summer ...more

Welcome 31 New Upper Valley Change-makers

Vital Communities celebrated the graduation of the Leadership Upper Valley Class of 2020 on Wednesday, June 10. This event marked the program’s 14th graduating class, as 31 local leaders completed the 10-month program with a ...more

Five Inspiring Stories

On March 18, Vital Communities held a webinar featuring five inspiring stories from energy committees across the Upper Valley. Stories included: Electric charging stations in Bethel An Upper Valley eBike lending library Energy saving window ...more

13th Annual Roundtable - September 15

You're Invited! The 13th Annual Upper Valley Energy Committee Roundtable will be held Tuesday, September 15, 5-8 pm in West Lebanon! This annual gathering of local energy volunteers is open to all, whether you serve on an ...more

Stand in Your Circle of Strength and Lead

Ed. Note: On May 30, Vital Communities honored 12 community leaders who’ve added immeasurably to the vitality of the Upper Valley at its annual Heroes & Leaders Celebration. The following are the event’s keynote remarks ...more

Heroes & Leaders: Creating a Vital Upper Valley

Every spring, Leadership Upper Valley, a program of Vital Communities, hosts the annual Heroes & Leaders Celebration to recognize individuals who make significant contributions to the Upper Valley. In 2019, we are pleased to honor ...more

Read our blog

Want more information?

Staff

Ana Mejia

Climate Projects Coordinator

Transportation, Energy

802-291-9100 x114

email
phone phone

Transportation, Energy

— Ana Mejia, Climate Projects Coordinator

Ana Mejia is the Climate Projects Coordinator at Vital Communities. She is a Southern California native and first arrived to the Upper Valley in 2018. Ana received her Bachelor’s degree in Geology from Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania and her Master’s in Environmental Sciences and Policy from Central European University in Budapest, Hungary, where she wrote her thesis on solar home affordability and energy efficiency programs for low income families. When she is not actively working towards creating sustainable communities, Ana enjoys swimming, cross-country skiing, birding, and trying out new dessert recipes with her KitchenAid mixer.

Bethany Fleishman

Transportation Program Manager

Transportation

802-291-9100 x111

email
phone phone

Transportation

— Bethany Fleishman, Transportation Program Manager

Bethany Fleishman was born at the old Mary Hitchcock hospital in Hanover, N.H., grew up in West Hartford, Vt., and now lives in Hartford Village, where she can see the White River and the trains from her window. She has a biology degree from St. Lawrence University and has worked in public health outreach, as a line cook in San Francisco, a pastry chef in Hanover, and as a member of the Town of Hartford Selectboard. She serves on the board of directors for both Advance Transit and Upper Valley CarShare and is a lifelong bike commuter.

	January 2021
Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat
					1 Vital Communities Holiday Vital Communities Holiday Starts: 12:00 am Ends: January 1, 2021 - 11:59 pm More details... •	2
3	4	5	6	7	8	9
10	11	12 Localvore Passport Webinar Localvore Passport Webinar Starts: 3:00 pm Ends: January 12, 2021 - 3:30 pm Location: (Zoom Line)-Zoom Line 1 Description: The Vermont-based Localvore platform connects conscientious consumers to the local businesses that make economies thrive. This App has been successfully connecting Burlington businesses and farms with new customers since 2012 with more than 500 businesses included in the Passport. Only a few Upper Valley businesses are included on the platform, so learn about how Localvore could be an effective and easy tool to help Upper Valley businesses connect with customers this winter and beyond. It's free for businesses to use and a coordinated outreach effort to get this App launched in the Upper Valley is possible if there is enough interest from businesses. Details about how this works for businesses is below. Come with your questions! Vital Communities is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting 1/12 or 1/13 at 10:00 am.Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86089600458?pwd=cFJSOHNjc005Y1hsMXFwZjZQS2dXQT09 Meeting ID: 860 8960 0458 Passcode: 075334 One tap mobile +13017158592,,86089600458# US (Washington D.C) Here's a summary of how Localvore Passport works for businesses and how they can participate for FREE. Attached is a "Merchant Sales Brochure". There are 3 core components of the platform that help consumers connect with businesses. 1. Our Directory is simple. It's your business listing, a photo, and information to help customers discover and engage with your business. If you don't have a profile set up, email dan@localvore.co and we will curate one to your liking. 2. Creating a Local Offer: Once your Directory profile is set up, you can customize an offer that Localvores can use however often you want them to. And, you can always change the offer or take it down. This google form is a simple way to get started, and then I usually have a brief 15-minute call to make sure all the details are correct and that they understand the redemption process and other expectations. Localvore Business Intake Form. 3. News Feed: Once your Directory profile is set up all you have to do is include #localvore in your Instagram posts, and those will show up on Localvore too! More details... •	13 Localvore Passport Webinar Localvore Passport Webinar Starts: 3:00 pm Ends: January 13, 2021 - 3:30 pm Location: (Zoom Line)-Zoom Line 1 Description: The Vermont-based Localvore platform connects conscientious consumers to the local businesses that make economies thrive. This App has been successfully connecting Burlington businesses and farms with new customers since 2012 with more than 500 businesses included in the Passport. Only a few Upper Valley businesses are included on the platform, so learn about how Localvore could be an effective and easy tool to help Upper Valley businesses connect with customers this winter and beyond. It's free for businesses to use and a coordinated outreach effort to get this App launched in the Upper Valley is possible if there is enough interest from businesses. Details about how this works for businesses is below. Come with your questions! Vital Communities is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting 1/12 or 1/13 at 10:00 am.Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86089600458?pwd=cFJSOHNjc005Y1hsMXFwZjZQS2dXQT09 Meeting ID: 860 8960 0458 Passcode: 075334 One tap mobile +13017158592,,86089600458# US (Washington D.C) Here's a summary of how Localvore Passport works for businesses and how they can participate for FREE. Attached is a "Merchant Sales Brochure". There are 3 core components of the platform that help consumers connect with businesses. 1. Our Directory is simple. It's your business listing, a photo, and information to help customers discover and engage with your business. If you don't have a profile set up, email dan@localvore.co and we will curate one to your liking. 2. Creating a Local Offer: Once your Directory profile is set up, you can customize an offer that Localvores can use however often you want them to. And, you can always change the offer or take it down. This google form is a simple way to get started, and then I usually have a brief 15-minute call to make sure all the details are correct and that they understand the redemption process and other expectations. Localvore Business Intake Form. 3. News Feed: Once your Directory profile is set up all you have to do is include #localvore in your Instagram posts, and those will show up on Localvore too! More details... Leadership Upper Valley Session Leadership Upper Valley Session Starts: 12:00 am Ends: January 13, 2021 - 11:59 pm More details... • •	14	15	16
17	18 Vital Communities Holiday Vital Communities Holiday Starts: 12:00 am Ends: January 18, 2021 - 11:59 pm More details... •	19	20	21	22	23
24	25	26	27	28 UVTMA Monthly Meeting - REMOTE UVTMA Monthly Meeting - REMOTE Starts: 9:00 pm Ends: January 28, 2021 - 10:30 pm Location: By video conference Description: This is the meeting of the Upper Valley Transportation Management Association. For spring 2020 and until further notice, meetings will be held remotely. More details... •	29	30
31

The VTrans Public Transit Section offers grants to municipalities and schools to assist in building a statewide outreach and advocacy network for the Go! Vermont Program. Who is eligible?

selectboards

school groups (K-12)

volunteer committees (such as town energy committees)

In Vermont and New Hampshire, transportation is the largest single source of greenhouse gases.

This toolkit is for community volunteers who would like to locally tackle the climate impacts of our car-centered transportation system.

Smart Commute Home Edition

Participating Towns

Commuter

Calculator

Resources for Towns

Success Stories

Calendar

January 2021

Vital Communities Program News

Want more information?

Staff

Ana Mejia

Transportation, Energy

— Ana Mejia, Climate Projects Coordinator

Bethany Fleishman

Transportation

— Bethany Fleishman, Transportation Program Manager

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Photo Gallery