Old Colony Planning Council

News and Events

Hazard Mitigation Grants Available

As a result of federal disaster declarations following Superstorm Sandy last October, Massachusetts cities and towns may apply for federal hazard mitigation grants.

The grants are intended to help communities reduce the risk of harm to property and people resulting from storms and other natural events. At least 25 percent of the total estimated cost of any project must be funded by an entity other than the federal government.

Grant applications are due by 3 PM on Aug. 30. For more information, visit MEMA and click on Disaster Recovery and Mitigation under the heading Our Organization; or contact Sarah White, the mitigation grants supervisor at the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency, at (508) 820-2053 or by email.

Notice of Public Review and Comment for the Draft FFY 2014-2017 TIP and Draft FFY 2014 UPWP

In accordance with the Public Participation Process developed by the Old Colony Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), Old Colony Planning Council (OCPC) is making the Draft FFY 2014-2017 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), and the Draft FFY 2014 Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) available for public review and comment. The TIP serves as a prioritized listing of highway, bridge, and transit projects proposed for implementation during the next four (4) federal fiscal years. Copies of these documents are available for review at the OCPC Offices (8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.), on this website at links below, and/or upon request. This notice will initiate a 30-Day Public Review and Comment Period. This process will also be used as Brockton Area Transit Authority's (BAT) public participation process. The Brockton Area Transit Authority, the FTA Section 5307(c) applicant, has consulted with the Old Colony Metropolitan Planning Organization and concurs that the public involvement process adopted by the Old Colony MPO for development of the TIP satisfies the public hearing requirements that pertain to the development of the Program of Projects for the regular Section 5307, Urbanized Area Formula Program, grant applications including the provisions for public notice and the time established for public review and comment. A public meeting of the OCPC and Old Colony MPO advisory committee, the Old Colony Joint Transportation Committee (JTC), is scheduled for June 13, 2013 at 12 PM at the OCPC Offices. Furthermore, a public meeting of the Old Colony MPO is scheduled for July 2, 2013 at 10 AM at the OCPC Offices to hear additional public comments and consider endorsement of these Programs. Please contact Charles Kilmer at 508-583-1833 Extension 206 for further information.

2014 Pre-Applications

The OCPC Area Agency on Aging is accepting pre-applications for the provision of elder services for FFY 2014 and 2015. Click here for information on how to apply.

Regional 911 Feasability Study Now Available

The Old Colony Planning Council (OCPC) in conjunction with the communities of Bridgewater, Duxbury, East Bridgewater, Halifax, Kingston, Plymouth, Plympton, and Whitman recently completed a Regional 911 Emergency Communications Center Dispatch Feasibility Study. The Study looked at the possibility of establishing a Regional 911 Emergency Communication Center (RECC) in the region. OCPC and its member agencies have been exploring the concept of a shared 911 dispatch center for a number of years. In 2011 OCPC successfully applied for a development grant from the Massachusetts State 911 Department to perform a consolidation study, and contracted with AECOM to perform the study. Any questions, comments or concerns, can be emailed to Community Planner Eric Arbeene or by phone at (508) 583-1833 Ext. 213.

Regional Policy Plan Update Underway

OCPC is currently in the process of updating its Regional Policy Plan (RPP). Last updated in 2000, the RPP serves as a guide for the physical, economic, and social development of the region. The 2000 RPP is available to download at our Reports page, and further information on the RPP can be found at our Regional Policy Plan page.

The Way Forward: A 21st Century Transportation Plan

The MassDOT Board and Transportation Secretary and CEO Richard A. Davey have announced a plan for the next generation of transportation investment in the Commonwealth: The Way Forward: A 21st Century Transportation Plan. For a summary of this plan, visit MassDOT's page on the plan or download a PDF version here.

2012 Bicycle and Pedestrian Connectivity and Livability Study Released

The Bicycle and Pedestrian Study for 2012 is now available at our Reports page. This report is the result of an in-depth analysis of the existing infrastructure conditions collected during the first phase of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Study, which is also available here. The report identifies the best routes for a bike network, recommendations to improve weak links in the bicycle and pedestrian network, and prioritizes sites that need improvements. For more information about this study, contact Kyle Mowatt.

The State of Stormwater Mapping Report Released

The 2012 Roadway Drainage and Runoff study is now available on our Reports page. This report examines the progress our communities have made towards fulfilling the requirements of the EPA's Phase II NPDES permit, which is set to be issued soon. The State of Stormwater Mapping the OCPC Region details what is required by the communities, how they are currently complying with the regulations, and what OCPC can do to help. For more information about the project, please contact Andrew Vidal.

2013 Major Bottleneck In-Depth Study Underway for Stoughton and Avon

The 2013 Major Bottleneck Study will examine bottlenecks with the Central Street-Harrison Boulevard corridor from Canton Street (Route 27) in Stoughton to Route 28, including the East Spring Street/West Spring Street intersection in Avon. The study will identify short-term and long-term actions to enhance circulation and traffic flow efficiency, improve safety for all road users including pedestrians, bicyclists and transit users, and alleviate bottlenecks that restrict free movement of traffic at specific locations. The study will include bicycle and pedestrian analyses, as well as drainage and environmental issues. More information on this project is summarized in our convenient Fact Sheet!

As a part of our public outreach for the Bottleneck Studies, OCPC is asking for your input on our surveys! Click here or on the image to the right to visit our survey page. Surveys are available in English, Spanish and Portuguese.

Upcoming Meetings and Events

June 12, 2013: Bottleneck Study Public Workshop
OCPC is holding a public workshop on the Central Street/Harrison Boulevard Bottleneck Study on Wednesday, June 12 at 6:30 PM at the Portuguese National Club (directions) in Stoughton.

June 13, 2013: JTC Meeting
The Old Colony Joint Transportation Committee will meet on Thursday, June 13 at noon at the OCPC offices in Brockton. The agenda to this meeting is now available, as well as the minutes to the May meeting.

July 2, 2013: MPO Meeting
The Old Colony Metropolitan Planning Organization will meet on Tuesday, July 2 at 10 AM at the OCPC offices in Brockton.

Title 5 Sewer and Septic Loans Available for Homeowners:
Homeowners from the communities of Hanson, Kingston, Pembroke, and Stoughton may apply for loans to repair failing septic systems. For more information on this program, visit our page on the Community Septic Management Program.

South Coast Rail Draft Environmental Impact Statement:
The Army Corps of Engineers has made available the Draft Environmental Impact Statement. The document, and related information, is available at MassDOT's webpage about South Coast Rail.

Upper Taunton River Regional Wastewater Evaluation Project:
The Old Colony Planning Council is involved in a cooperative regional initiative to address wastewater issues in the Upper Taunton River basin. Maps, presentations, and more information is available at the project's web site.

FFY 2012 Annual Listing of Obligated Projects:
OCPC's Annual Listing of Projects is available for Public Review.