AROUND TOWN
Remembering victims
MONTPELIER — The annual Red Ribbon Tree Ceremony remembering victims of impaired and distracted driving will be held at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 5, at the Vermont State House, House Chambers. Speakers are Wanda Minoli, from the Department of Motor Vehicles; Col. Matthew Birmingham, of the Department of Public Safety; and Barbara Connelly, from St. Johnsbury, sharing her story.
This ceremony honors the lives tragically lost in crashes from unsafe driving. For each victim, a red ribbon will be included on a garland and added to the branches of a tree erected in the Vermont House Chamber. During the holiday season, drivers are encouraged to tie red ribbons or to add decals to visible locations on their vehicles, to represent the drivers’ commitment to drive safe, sober and buckled up.
FEMA assistance
FEMA Temporary Direct Housing Assistance is available for eligible survivors of Vermont’s July 7-21 severe storms, flooding, landslides and mudslides.
Eligible families in Lamoille, Washington and Windsor counties have until January 2025 to live in the units while looking for permanent housing. The deadline is 18 months from the date of the disaster declaration in July 2023. These housing options include:
— Transportable temporary housing units
FEMA may place a manufactured housing unit (MHU) on a private site or in a commercial park or coordinate with the state and local officials to construct group sites for multiple units.
Group sites are specifically built for survivors. MHUs on FEMA group sites are provided at no cost to the survivor. FEMA pays for essential expenses, such as electricity, sewer and trash. However, cable and internet expenses are the responsibility of the occupant.
Private sites depend on available space and utility hookups. FEMA may provide an MHU on residential private property, or on a single pad in a commercial park. Expenses for MHUs on private sites are the responsibility of the occupant.
This process to set up MHUs takes time. First, FEMA must process applicants to determine how many applicants are eligible and then inspect sites for viability and resources. Contractors must obtain local permits and make sure they meet all local, state and federal ordinances.
MHUs are brought in from other parts of the country and stored in a nearby location so they are ready to be placed for survivors as soon as possible.
MHUs are furnished with a refrigerator, microwave, dishwasher, beds, lights, couch, table and chairs. There are washer and dryer hookups if the occupant wants to install them, and it’s allowed by the site.
Each unit will have one to three bedrooms, depending on the number of household members.
All units are built to U.S. Housing and Urban Development standards and exceed the wind- and snow-load zones for the state of Vermont.
Direct lease
FEMA may lease existing, ready-to-occupy, residential properties for use as temporary housing. Eligible property types include vacation rentals, corporate or university apartments, second homes, single-family homes, cooperatives, condominiums, townhouses and other dwellings.
Hotels, motels and other transient accommodations are not acquired for direct lease.
Units that may be obtained by applicants using rental assistance are not acquired for direct lease.
Each individual unit provides complete living facilities, including provisions for cooking, eating and sanitation.
The property must be located within reasonable access to community and wrap-around services, such as accessible public transportation, schools, fire and emergency services and grocery stores.
— Multi-family lease and repair
FEMA funds the repair or improvement of existing vacant multi-family rental properties that eligible applicants can use for temporary housing.
Properties in this program must:
Be repairable within 120 days of the date the agreement is approved by FEMA. All repairs must comply with local building codes, standards, permitting and inspection requirements, and all applicable environmental and historical preservation laws and regulations.
Be located within reasonable commuting distance to the disaster-impacted communities and critical services, such as accessible public transportation, schools, fire and emergency services and grocery stores.
Provide complete and independent living facilities for one or more people. This includes permanent provisions for living, sleeping, cooking and sanitation.
Include at least one unit repaired or improved to be accessible to applicants with disabilities or other access and functional needs.
For the latest information on Vermont’s recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4720. Follow the FEMA Region 1 account at Twitter twitter.com/FEMARegion1 or the Facebook page at facebook.com/FEMA. Follow Vermont Emergency Management on Twitter at twitter.com/vemvt and on Facebook at facebook.com/VermontEmergencyManagement.
AROUND VT
Public input
WATERBURY — The Vermont Department of Mental Health (DMH) and Department of Disabilities, Aging, and Independent Living (DAIL) seek public input on proposed changes to the administrative rules governing agency designation. Agency designation rules determine the process for agencies to attain and uphold their recognition as community mental health centers and providers of intellectual and developmental disability services. The rules revision process involves simplifying and modernizing the language used, and incorporating plain language to make information easier to understand.
Public and virtual meetings are scheduled to facilitate public engagement. Meetings are open to anyone, with a special emphasis on engaging with those receiving services and their loved ones. Meeting schedule is:
Thursday, Dec. 7, from noon to 1 p.m. – Online or in-person.
Tuesday, Dec. 12, from 7 to 8 p.m. – Online only.
Monday, Dec. 18, from noon to 1 p.m. – Online or in-person.
The in-person options Dec. 7 and 18 will be held at Waterbury State Office Complex, Oak Conference Room, 280 State Drive, in Waterbury.
For more information, visit mentalhealth.vermont.gov or DAIL.vermont.gov
BUSINESS
Water quality
The Vermont Farm & Forest Viability Program (Viability Program) of Vermont Housing & Conservation Board, has grant awards available for on-farm capital improvement projects that have a positive impact on water quality. The awards are funded through the State of Vermont Water Quality Bond, and eligible farm businesses can apply for $5,000 to $50,000 in funding, an increase in the maximum award from prior years. Applications are due by Jan. 19, 2024.
Two virtual information sessions will be held from noon to 1:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8, and from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Monday, Jan. 8, 2024. Eligibility, applications, and details to join the sessions are available at vhcb.org/WQG. For questions regarding this grant opportunity, email Betsy@VHCB.org or call 802-828-5562.
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