Rochester residents selected three priorities for future action. To join one or more task force groups, contact Rochester Area Climate Initiative Chair Jeffrey Gephart at vtwise@together.net. Anyone is welcome to Join a Task Force and help the future of the town!
Establish a Quintown Area Food Hub & Facilitate Learning and Sharing Amongst Farmers and Gardeners
The Quintown area has a wealth of farmers, gardeners, and food producers. There is great potential in bringing them together to share resources and knowledge to improve their economic health and resilience and to create “fertile ground” for the launch of new food and agricultural enterprises. With many farmers shipping their produce and products out of the region, this task force could focus on the establishment of a food hub that would provide shared processing, storage, and distribution (incubator space). This task force could also focus on shared marketing opportunities, establishing local outlets for food such as a coop, and finding ways for local food to meet the needs of those in the region who are food insecure. The task force could also work to cultivate knowledge sharing (school garden) and learning related to successful and sustainable growing practices, as well as creating venues for this collaboration along with establishing community gardens and other programming to help people learn to grow their own food.
Address Affordable Housing
Renting or buying a home in the Quintown region has become increasingly costly, representing a significant hurdle to anyone looking to move to the area and a challenge for area residents who are not homeowners. A new task force could engage the community and undertake research to better understand the gaps in available housing. The group could then develop strategies to address those gaps. Approaches to this challenge may include inventorying existing and available properties, making adjustments to zoning, shared housing options, dedicating municipal resources, and finding balance between short and long-term rentals. To build new housing and/or rehabilitate existing housing stock, a lack of adequate workforce presents a challenge. This task force could design and implement a program that would provide the education and resources for participants to build a “tiny house.” Program participants would gain technical skills and could also have a role in building their own home.
Valley Energy and Climate Action Committee
At the November 1 RACI meeting, those gathered discussed a list of possible actions in the area of energy. Priorities identified for action will be carried forward by the existing Valley Energy and Climate Action Committee. This Committee is open to all who want to contribute to their work.
Public Electric Vehicle Charging - Electric Vehicles represent a significant opportunity for cost savings and carbon reduction. Rochester and surrounding towns could develop publicly available electric vehicle chargers to serve local EV owners and visitors alike.
Promote the Weatherization Program - For those who qualify, the Weatherization Assistance Program is an excellent resource to reduce energy costs and improve the health of homes. The task force should work actively with Capstone to improve local participation in this beneficial program.
Lead by Example - Focus on Municipal Energy Opportunities - Each town in the Quintown region should lead by example and undertake energy retrofits of municipal buildings. Approaches could include insulation, going solar, installing biomass heating or cold climate heat pumps, and more.
Evaluate Solar Siting Options - An evaluation of land in the Quintown region should be undertaken to ascertain the best and most suitable available locations for siting solar projects. (Note: This integrates well with the effort by Green Mountain Power to develop a Resiliency Zone in Rochester.)