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AlbanyTownPlanJune20,2017

TownofAlbanyPlanningCommittee

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TableofContents

INTRODUCTIONANDPURPOSEOFPLAN 4

Historicoverview 4

Vision 4

GoalsandRecommendedActions 5

SectionI.‐LANDUSEPLAN/OVERVIEW 5

ExistingLandUse 5


SectionII.‐ALBANYWATERSHED&WETLANDS 8

Review 9

ExistingPlans,WetlandProtection,OtherConservationPurposes 9,10

PlanningConsiderations 11,12


SectionIII.‐TRANSPORTATION 14

ExistingConditions,PlanningConsiderations,ExistingConditions,Resources 14


SectionIV.‐UTILITIES&FACILITIES 16

WaterSupply/SewageDisposal,LawEnforcement/Fire/EmergencyServices 16

HealthCareFacilities,PublicBuildings/Properties,PublicUtilities 17


SectionV.‐PRESERVATIONPLAN 18

Review18

GoalsandRecommendedActions 19,20

SectionVI.‐EDUCATION 20

ExistingConditions,PlanningConsiderations20,21


SectionVII.‐ENERGY 22

Efficiency,NetMetering,AlternativeEnergy,Review 22,23


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SectionVIII.‐HOUSING 25

Review26‐28


SectionIX.‐EconomicDevelopment 28

Review 28‐31


SectionX.‐FLOODRESILIENCE 31

Review 32


SectionXI.‐RegionalCompatibility 33,34

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INTRODUCTIONANDPURPOSEOFPLAN

Planningempowerscommunitiestorespondtochangeinwaysthatreflecttheirowngoals,needs,prioritiesandvalues.Planningcanallowcommunitiestodesignatekeygrowthandruralareastoattractnewbusinessortopreserveruralcharacter.Perhapsthegreatestadvantageofplanningisthelong‐rangevisiongainedbythecommunitythroughademocraticandinclusiveprocess.

Participationincreatingavisionofthefuture. Increasedeligibilityforgrants(Aplanismandatorywithsomegrantprograms). Articulatesthemunicipality’sopinionaboutissuesforAct250andSection248proceedings.

Plansareoftenwrittenorupdatedtoimplementzoningbylawsandfloodhazardregulations.However,theyarealsorequiredfornon‐regulatoryinitiatives,suchasDowntownorVillageCenterdesignationorcapitalbudgetsandprograms.VermontstatuteenablesmunicipalitiestosubmittheirplanstotheNortheasternVermontDevelopmentAssociation,(NVDA),torequestregionalapproval.Whileregionalapprovalisnotrequiredbylaw,itdoesmakecommunitieseligibleforcertainbenefits,suchasaccesstoMunicipalPlanningGrantfunds,orDowntownorVillageCenterdesignation.

Historicoverview

TheTownofAlbanyoriginatedastheTownshipofLutterlohinJuneof1781.Aftereighteenyearsofeffortsthetownbegantoprosper.By1860thetownhadaschoolandmanydifferentshopsalongwithsawmills,farms&astarchfactory.Themajorityofthepeoplestillfarmedforbarter.

Farming,forestry/logging,andmaplesugaringwereveryimportanttotheearlyhistoryofAlbanyandtheyarestillimportanttosomefamilieswithinthetowntoday.Thefutureprotectionfortheseaspectsaddtotherural“essence“ofourcommunityspiritandlandscape.

However,thetownhaschangedmuchsincethe18thcentury,amajorityofourresident’snolongerfarm,(otherthanfortheirownfamilies.).Manypeoplenowdrive30milesormoreforemployment.Asof2010therewere511housingunits,83ofwhichwerewithintheVillageboundaries.

SourcesandmoredetailontheHistoryofAlbanycanbefoundintheappendix.

Vision

Albany,isatownoffourdistincthistoriccommunities;settledbyRevolutionaryWarVeteransandtheirfamilies;ofIrish,ScotandFrenchdescent,whoallbroughttheirownheritage,religiousbeliefs,language,methodsandwaysoflivingandworkingtoourrivervalleyandforestedhillsaftertheRevolutionandstillcontinuetorelocateheretothispresentday—2017.Today,thebeautyanduniquenessoftheFourAlbany’s:WestAlbany,AlbanyCenter,EastAlbanyandSouthAlbany,areallbeingenhancedandinfusedwith:newenergy,creativeimaginativevigor,newvarietiesoflifeandwageearning,andnewchallengingopportunitiesforthevigorousyoungofthe21stCentury.

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GoalsandRecommendedActions

Goal:

ThepurposeoftheTownPlanistoemphasizethecontinueddesireforlocalcontrolwhileexploringtheareaofspecialneedsthatwillshapethedevelopmentofthetownoverthenextseveralyears.

Actions

1.TomaintainandprotectAlbanytowncharacter,ourenvironment,andphysicalcharacterbyencouraginganddirectinggrowthusinglocalnon‐regulatoryandincentive‐basedtoolsratherthanzoning.

2.Articulatethemunicipality’sopinionaboutissuesforAct250andSection248proceedings.

3.Increaseourcommunitieseligibilityforgrants(Aplanismandatorywithsomegrantprograms).

4.Considervillagecenterdesignationandthebenefitsofsuchdesignation.

I. LANDUSEPLAN/OVERVIEW

ExistingLandUse

1.) Forestry

ForestshaveprovidedautilitarianbaseforthelocaleconomyinAlbanysincetimesofearlysettlement.Additionally,Albanyforestsofferanaestheticbackdropforthetown’spastoralsettingandforthedistantvistas.

Forestsareslowgrowersandchangeissubtle,butdefinite.Itcanbeassumedthatmostofthetownhaseitherbeenclearedforagriculturalpurposesorlogged,morethanonce,duringthepast200years.Yet,forestshavere‐seededandgrownback;itisnotuncommontofindevidenceofoldfieldswherea75+yearoldforestnowstands.

Therehavebeenfourperiodsinthetownhistorywhenopenlandswereabandonedandallowedtonaturallyre‐seedtotrees:aftertheCivilWar,aftertheGreatDepression,afterWorldWarIIandmorerecently,asmodernizationofthedairyindustryhasreshapedandconsolidatedfamilyfarms.

Theforestscanbecategorizedintosevenforesttypes:

1. NorthernHardwoods(sugarmaple,yellowbirch,beech)2. Spruceandbalsam3. Whitepine4. Whitecedar5. Pioneerhardwoods(greybirch,aspenandredmaple)6. Hemlock7. Swampandbogsoftwoods

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Albanystillhasaworkinglandscapewithasignificantamountofmanagedforestland.Accordingtothe2015GrandListforAlbany,thereare24,325acresoflandinthetown.Ofthis,thereare100parcelsenrolledinVermont’sCurrentUseProgram.InformationprovidedfromtheTownListersindicatesthat3,719areagriculturalacres,8,623areforestlandacres,407arenon‐productiveforestlandacresand81acresaremorethanamilefromaclass3roadandareforestlandacres.

TheVermontLandTrusthasconservedatotalof1,076acresinAlbany,approximatelyhalfofwhichisforestland,(542acres).Inaddition,theTownForestcomprises22.5acresoflandonHartwellPondRoad.

2.) Recreation

Albany’srecreationalopportunitiesareprimarilyoutdoorfocused.IntheVillageisabaseballfield,Schoolsoccerfield,andcrosscountryandskitrailsforwinteruse.DuringStateregulatedseasons,huntinggameandfishingtheareasstreamsandpondsareverypopularactivities.Growingmorepopularismountainbikingusingthearearoadsandtrails.Therehasalsobeenanincreaseinpopularityofall‐terrainvehicleuse,exploringrecentlyopenedtrailsystemsandlocalroadwaysthatareapprovedfortheiruse.Thereareapproximately16milesofVASTtrailsinAlbanymaintainedbytheHazen’sNotchSnowmobileClub.ThereisamaintainednaturetrailattheAlbanySchool.Anothercomponentoflocalrecreationisfallfoliageviewingwhichisenjoyedbothbylocalresidentsandvisitors/touriststoourarea.

TheCraftsburyOutdoorCenterisafour‐seasonrecreationalresourceintheAlbanyarea,providingprogramsinrowing,Nordicskiing,andrunning.ThereareseveralmilesoftrailsinAlbanyinthevicinityofGreatHosmerPondthatarepartoftheCraftsburyOutdoorCenterNordictrailsystem.TheCraftsburyOutdoorCenterTrailsareopentoAlbanyresidentswithoutcharge.Trailsattheschoolsinterconnectintothistrailsystem

3.) Agriculture

AgriculturehashistoricallyhelpedtocharacterizetheTownofAlbanyandcontinuestotoday.In2012,Albanyhad10,599acresenrolledinVermont’sCurrentUseProgram,bothagriculturalandforestryproperties,constitutingroughly43%oftheTown’stotallandarea.InAlbany,thereare15propertiesthatarelistedas“farms”ontheTown’sGrandList,whichrangefrom0.83acresto436acresinsize,withtheaveragesizebeing178acres.Thereare44propertiesidentifiedas“woodland”,manyofwhichprovideformaplesugaringoperationsandcontainsugarhouses,ranginginsizefrom10acresto378acres,(theaveragesizebeing84acres).Combined,theycoverapproximately26%oftheTown’stotallandarea.

TheVermontLandTrusthasconservedatotalof1,076acresinAlbany,approximatelyhalfofwhichisagriculturallandat534acres.555acresofthislandreceivedfinancialassistancefromtheVermontHousingandConservationTrustFund(VHCB).Inaddition,43acresofpropertynowpartoftheAlbanyCommunitySchool,waspurchasedwiththehelpofagrantfromassistancefromVHCB,andcombinedwithanappropriationfromtheTownofAlbany.

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4.) Residential

ThegreatestconcentrationofdwellingunitsinAlbanyiswithinthecenteroftheincorporatedVillage,alongMainStreet,WaterStreet,OldStreet,andNewStreet.The2010censuscountedatotalof511housingunitsintheTown,83ofwhichwerelocatedwithintheincorporatedvillage.ThereisalsoasmallclusterofdwellingsintheareaofSouthAlbany.TherestoftheTown’shousingunitsaredispersedalongRoute14,andonthepavedandunpavedtownroads.

Table1highlightspopulationandhousingdatainAlbany,OrleansCountyandtheStatefrom2000to2010,baseduponthemostrecentavailabledatafromtheU.S.Census.

ThenumbersshowthatAlbanyhasgrowninyear‐roundpopulationandfamilyhouseholdsoverthelastdecade.

Albany’spopulationgrewby101persons,thenumberoffamiliesincreasedby30,andthetown’shousingstockincreasedby58unitsfrom2000to2010.Year‐roundhouseholdsalsoincreasedby58,mirroringthegrowthinhousingunits,whileseasonalunitsactuallydecreasedby1.

Therateofgrowthinoccupied(year‐round)housingunitsandfamilyhouseholdsinAlbanywassignificantlyhigherthaninthecountyandstate.FamilyhouseholdsinAlbanyincreasedby12.6%from2000‐2010,whileOrleansCountyhadgrowthofonly2%andtheState,only1.7%.Occupiedhousingunitsincreasedby17.2%inAlbany,whiletheincreasewasonly8.4%and6.6%,respectively,inthecountyandstate.

Thevastmajorityofnewhousingunitsbuiltoccurredoutsideoftheincorporatedvillage,withonly4ofthe58newunitsoccurringinsidethevillageboundaries.However,percentage‐wise,thegrowthinpopulationandfamilyhouseholdswasgreaterwithinthevillagethaninthetownasawhole,withpopulationinthevillageincreasingby17%comparedtogrowthof12%town‐wide.

Withinthevillage,thenumberofunitsthatare“renter‐occupied”increasedby7whileowner‐occupiedunitsdecreasedby4.Percentage‐wise,thenumberofrenter‐occupiedunitsincreasedatagreaterratethanowner‐occupiedunitstown‐wide.Whilethisincrease(22.8%)wassignificantlyhigherthanthepercentincreaseinrentalunitscounty‐wideandstate‐wide,owner‐occupiedunitsstillaccountforthemajority(about82%)ofthehouseholdsinAlbany.County‐wide,owner‐occupiedunitsaccountfor75.6%ofallhouseholds,andstate‐wide,70.7%ofunits.


1.) Supportandpreservetheagricultural,forest,andrecreationaluseoflandsintheTown.Encouragetheuseoflocallandtrustswhenapplicable.

EncouragelocalfarmerstotalktoFarmBureauandexploreoptionsforkeepingtheirlandinagriculture.

ConsiderpossibilityofdevelopingacommunityLandTrusttoeducateandencourageconservationofforestandagriculturalland.

Encouragethediversificationofagricultureintheregionsoastoincreasetheviabilityoffarmingforthefuture.

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EncouragetaxpayerstoconsidertaxincentivessuchastheCurrentUseProgram. Encouragethedevelopmentofcommercialenterprisesintownthatthatmakeuseoflocally

grownorharvestedproducts.

2.)BasedonpreviouslystatedissueswithpotablewatersupplytotheVillage,retaintheexistingscaleanddensityofhousingintheVillage.

Encouragerestorationand/orrebuildingofexistingdwellings. EncouragetheformationofastudygrouptolookatalternativestothecurrentVillagewell

andwatersupplysituation. EncouragenewresidentialdevelopmentthatoccursoutsidetheVillagetomakeuseof

existingroadsandinfrastructure,andtoavoidimpactingexistingandpotentialagriculturalandrecreationalusesoftheland.

3.)PromotethedevelopmentofcommercialusesintheVillage.

Considerincentives,suchasalowinterestloanprogram,thatwillpromotebusinessdevelopmentintheVillage,includingageneralstore.

Recommendastudygroupbeformedtoinvestigatecommunityorco‐operativestyleownershipofgeneralstoreifindividual(s)can’tbeattractedtoopensame.

4.)Enhancetherecreationalpotentialofpubliclands.

ConsideroptionsofcreatinghikingtrailsandsitesfortentcampingontheBuchananLots;considerthepotentialimpactsoftraildevelopmentandcampingonsurroundingareaandwildlife.

EncouragecoordinationofeffortswiththeNorthwoodsStewardshipCenter’sKingdomCorpsandCraftsburyOutdoorCentertoenhancerecreationalopportunities.

II. AlbanyWatershed&Wetlands

TheTownofAlbanylieswithintheBlackRiverwatershed,withasmallportionofitseasternedgelocatedwithintheBartonRiverwatershed.AlbanyiswithinthelargerMemphremagogWatershed.WhichultimatelyflowsintotheSaintLawrenceRiverinCanadaandthenintotheAtlanticOcean.

ThemainstemoftheBlackRiveroriginatesinAlbany,veryclosetotheheadwatersofitsmajortributary,Lord’sCreek.BothstreamsoriginatefromawetlandcomplexalongCreekRoad;theBlackRiverinitiallyflowingsouthandLord’sCreeknorth.Afterbeginningonasoutherlycourse,parallelingtheCreekRoadintoCraftsbury,theBlackRiverthenturns180‐degreestoflownorththroughCraftsbury,Albany,Irasburg,andCoventrybeforeemptyingintoLakeMemphremagog’sSouthBay.TheriverparallelsRoutes14and5formostofitscoursethroughawide,levelvalleythatisboundedbytheLowellMountainstothewestandthehillsofAlbanyandCraftsburytotheeast.Theriverisfedbymanysmallertributarywatersheds.

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Eachofthewatershedsthatourwatersdrainintohasbeenaffectedbynonpointsourcepollution,whichoccurswhenrunoffsuchasrainwaterorsnowmeltmovesoverthelandsurfaceandwasheswithitanumberofmanmadeornaturalpollutantsintolakes,rivers,wetlands,andevengroundwater.Themainnonpointsourcesofcontaminantsaresediment,bacteria,nutrients,toxicchemicals,andmetals.Landusessuchasagriculture,forestry,construction,residentialareas,andsepticsystemsareallpotentialnonpointpollutionsources.TheVermontDivisionofWaterQualityisworkingthroughtheBasinPlanningProgramtoassessstreamsandriversforsuchpollutants.

ThereareanumberofpondswithinAlbany(eitherentirelyorpartially),includingGreatHosmer,PagePond,HartwellPond,andGriggsPond.

TheHosmerPondsWatershedInitiativeisaninformalgroupofCraftsburyandAlbanyResidentswhichwantstoincreaseitsappreciationandunderstandingofthecommunity’snaturalresourcesthroughoutings,workshops,andgatherings.Thisgroupstrivestoengagecommunitymemberstothinkaboutlong‐termconservationgoalsfortheregionandthetoolsavailabletoreachsuchconservationgoals.Thiseffortbeganin2007,supportedbytheVermontLandTrustthroughasmallgrantfromtheVermontCommunityFoundation.TheHosmerPondsWatershedInitiativerecentlyjoinedforceswiththeCraftsburyOutdoorCenter.

Portionsofsomestreams,especiallytheBlackRiver,sufferfromseverestreambankerosion.Streambankinstabilityisacomplexissuenotusuallyresolvedbyshorttermsolutionsofnarrowfocus.Carefulanalysisofsucherosionwillrevealanumberofcontributingfactors,amongthemsoiltype,volumeofflow,gradient,streambankvegetation,livestockdamage,beaverpopulation,andpreviousstreamchannelalteration.Solutionsthereforemust,ifpossible,addresseachfactorrelatedtosoilloss.Suchsoillossisaloneandunfortunate;howevertheeffectsarecompoundedonceitentersthestream.Soildepositiontendstoreduceorchangefoodsuppliesandspawningareasfornativefish.

Riparianbuffersandcorridors,includingstreambanksandlakeshores,servevitalfunctionsthathavesignificantenvironmental,economic,andsocialvalue.Conservingriparianecosystemsallowsthemtocarryouttheirmanyfunctions,whichinclude:protectingwaterqualityandaquatichabitatsforterrestrialwildlife,includingtravelanddispersalcorridors;supportingsignificantnaturalcommunitiesandadjacentwetlandsandprotectingchannel‐formingprocessesandchannelstability.Riparianvegetatedbufferstripscancontributetoaddressingresidents’concernsaboutwaterqualityandsupply,pollutionofwatersources,disappearanceofnaturalareas,andwildlifehabitat.

a.) ExistingPlans

TheRiverCorridorPlanfortheBlackRiver,preparedinMarch2011bytheNorthWoodsStewardshipcenter,evaluatesriverstabilityandtheconditionoftheadjacentlandscape.Theplanoffersspecificrecommendationsforprioritizingrestorationeffortsandforlongtermmanagementoftheriveranditscorridorfortheimprovementofwaterqualityandfishandwildlifehabitats,andformitigatingfloodhazards.

ThePlanidentifies6locationsinAlbanywhererevegetationofthestreambuffersarerecommended(ReachesT4.03,segmentB;T4.04,segmentA;T4.04,segmentB;T5.02;T6.02,segmentB;T8.01).Insomecases,fencingisalsorecommendedtokeepgrazingcattlefromaccessingthestreamchannelanddestabilizingthebanks.Thereportalsorecommendsrepairor

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removalofadeterioratedsnowmobilebridgeonRogersBranchwhereitiscollapsingintothestream(ReachT8.01).Twolocationsareidentifiedwhereculvertsrestrictthewaterflows,resultinginlargescourpools,sedimentdeposits,andbankerosion:whereRoute14crossestheRogersBranch(ReachT8.02),andwhereShutevilleRoadcrossesLamphearBrook(ReachT5.02).

b.)WetlandProtection

ThewetlandsoftheStateofVermontarevaluablenaturalresources.ItisestimatedthatVermont’sexistingwetlandscompriselessthan5percentofthestate’ssurfacearea.InadditiontobeingVermont’smostreproductiveecosystems,wetlandsserveawidevarietyoffunctionsbeneficialtothehealth,safety,andwelfareofthegeneralpublic,including:

Retainingstormwaterrunoff,reducingfloodpeaks,delayingfloodcrests,andtherebyreducingflooding;

Protectingthequalityandquantityofgroundwater; Improvingsurfacewaterqualitybystoringorganicmaterials.Chemicallybreakingdownor

removingpollutants,andbyfilteringerodedsedimentsandorganicmatterfromthesurfacerunoff;

Stabilizingsoilanddissipatingwaveandcurrentenergy; Providingspawning,feedingandgeneralhabitforfish; Providingawidediversityofhabitatforwildlife,includingwaterfowl,birds,mammals,

furbearers,amphibians,andreptiles; Providinghabitatcriticalforsurvivalofrare,threatened,orendangeredspeciesofplants

andanimals; Providingbothrepresentativeandrareexamplesofplantcommunitieswhichmakeupthe

state’snaturalwetlandheritage; Providingvaluableresourcesforeducationandresearchinnaturalsciences; Providingadiversityofrecreationalandeconomicbenefits; Contributingtotheopenspacecharacterandoverallbeautyofthelandscape.

AsubstantialportionofVermont’swetlandshavealreadybeenlostorseverelyimpairedbydraining,dredging,filling,excavation,pollution,andotheractivities.ItisestimatedthatVermonthasalreadylost50percentofitswetlandresourcesandiscontinuingtoloseadditionalwetlandresourcesannually.

b.) OtherConservationPurposes

TheStateofVermontowns78acresof“Streambank”propertyalongtheBlackRiverinAlbany,whichismanagedbytheVermontFish&WildlifeDepartmenttoprovideangleraccesstotheBlackRiver.

TheNaturalResourcesConstraintmap(includedinappendix)preparedfortheTownofAlbanybyNVDAin2014,depictsthelocationsofwetlandsinAlbanybasedontheVermontStateWetlandInventory.Itestimatesthatabout1,600acresintowncontainwetlands.

Atthelocallevel,AlbanyhasaLocalEmergencyOperationsPlanthatisrequiredtobeupdatedeveryMay.Thisplanidentifiesemergencyrespondersandlocalcontacts.TheTownadoptedanAllHazardsMitigationPlanin2005,butthatplanhassinceexpired.

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WatershedrelatedInfrastructure

AllthemajorbridgesinTownhavebeenrebuiltorupdatedwithinthelast15years,includinganewbridgeonWaterStreetovertheBlackRivercompletedin2002.AnewbridgeoverLord’sCreekonChamberlainHillRoad(completed2013)and,upgradestothebridgeonTownFarmRoad.

TheTownreceivedFEMA(FederalEmergencyManagementAgency),moneyfortheChamberlainHillbridgereplacement,andforotherroadrepairsassociatedwithfloodinginthespringof2011,inMayof2012,andasaresultofHurricane“Irene.”

ExistingStructuresintheMappedFloodHazardAreas

FloodInsuranceRateMaps(FIRMs)werepreparedbyFEMAin1986forAlbany.BasedonareviewoftheFIRMandareviewofE‐911pointsinTown,thereareseven(7)pointswithintheFEMAFloodHazardArea.

RoadwayswithintheFEMAFloodHazardAreasincludeaportionofUrieRoad,sectionsofStateRoute14,WaterStreet,TownFarmRoad,VanceRoad,andWylieHillRoadwheretheycrosstheBlackRiver;andportionsofCreekRoadandWellsRoadinthenorthernpartofTown.

RiverCorridorMapshavebeendevelopedfortheBlackRiveranditstributarieswithinAlbany.Thesemapsidentifyboththeriverchannelandthefluvialerosionhazardareaassociatedwiththeriver.Thereare(18)E‐911pointswithinthemappedrivercorridors.

A.)PlanningConsiderations

FEMAandNFIP

TheFederalEmergencyManagementAgency(FEMA),hasmappedthe“ZoneA”floodinundationareasinTown,buthasnotidentifiedbasefloodelevations.

InordertobeeligibleforparticipationintheNationalFloodInsuranceProgram(NFIP),theTownwillhavetoadoptlocalfloodhazardregulationsthatmeettheminimumfederalrequirements.(SeeReferenceFloodPlanAttached

TheRiverManagementProgramwithintheVermontDepartmentofEnvironmentalConservation(DEC)haspreparedmodelfloodhazardregulationsfortownsinVermont,thatcomplywiththerequirementsofNFIP.InadditiontosettingstandardsfordevelopmentwithinthefloodinundationareasmappedbyFEMA,themodelordinancealsoprovidesstandardsfordevelopmentwithinmappedRiverCorridorsidentifiedbytheState.

ItisrecommendedthattheTownshouldinvestigatetheFEMACommunityRatingSystem(CRS)toseeifthecommunitycouldqualifyfordiscountedfloodinsurance,oncefloodhazardregulationshavebeenadopted.

RiverCorridors

Infrastructureplacedincloseproximitytostreamsandriversisparticularlyexposedtodamagefromflashflooding,bankfailure,andstreamchanneldynamics.ItisrecommendedthatnewdevelopmentstayoutsideofthemappedRiverCorridor.

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Forsmallerstreamsthathavenotbeenincludedintherivercorridormaps,therecommendedstandardsetbackis50feet.

TransportationInfrastructure

Aculvertandbridgeinventory,notingthelocation,sizeandconditionofallculvertsandbridges,iscurrentlybeingupdatedwithdatabeingenteredfor2017inclusionintotheVermontOnlineBridgeandCulvertInventoryTool(VOBIT).ThisdatabasewasdevelopedbytheVermontagencyofTransportationandisagoodresourceforlocalofficials,planners,andstateagencies.

Inaddition,informationontheadequacyofculvertstohandlefloodwatershasbeenevaluatedaspartoftheRiverCorridorPlanfortheBlackRiver.

PotentialFutureInfrastructureNeeds

Whilepredictingfutureinfrastructureneedsandrequirementsisoftendifficult;culvertrepair,replacement,andnewinstallationshouldalwaysbeconsideredandincludedinTownbudgets.SpecificexamplesincludeShutesvilleRoadwhereitcrossesLamphearBrook.Thisareawillcontinuetobeaproblemforanumberofyearsduetopoorloggingpracticesthathavecausederosionofadjacentuplandareasandthedepositingofloggingdebrisinthestreamchannel.

TheWellsRoadinNorthAlbanyhasasignificantbeaverdamaboutamileabovetheroadthatoccasionallycausesawashoutoftheroad.Theadditionofaculvertmaybenecessary.

Othernewculvertsthatarescheduledtobe,orhavebeenrecentlyreplaced,areanewboxculvertonCreekRoadnearMerrillCorner,andoneonPagePondRoad,(whereitcrossesLord’sCreek).

HazardMitigationPlanning

Thepurposeofmitigationplanningistoidentifypoliciesandactionsthatcanbeimplementedoverthelongtermtoreduceriskandfuturelosses.MitigationPlansformthefoundationforalong‐termstrategytoreducedisasterlossesandbreakthecycleofdisasterdamage,reconstruction,andrepeateddamage.

Albany’sAll‐HazardsMitigationPlanexpiredin2005.Inordertoqualifyforcertainfederalgrantassistance,theTownneedstohaveanadoptedPlanthathasbeenapprovedbyFEMA.AnewFEMA‐approvedhazardMitigationPlanwasadoptedbytheTownonMarch21,2017

EmergencyReliefandAssistanceFund(ERAF)

ERAFprovidespublicassistancegrantsthroughFEMAtohelpmunicipalitiesrepairdamagedinfrastructureafterapresidentially‐declareddisaster.A25%non‐federalmatchisrequiredforapprovedprojects,withhalfofthis(12.5%ofthetotalprojectcost)typicallycoveredbytheState.AStateruleadoptedin2012requiresthatbyOctober23,2014,aTownmusthavefourmitigationmeasuresinplaceinordertobeeligibletoreceivethesamelevelofStatefunding.Thefourmitigationmeasuresrequiredare1)adoptionoftheAgencyofTransportation’sRoadandBridgeStandards,2)adoptionoffloodregulationsmeetingNFIPstandards,3)adoptionofaLocalHazardMitigationPlanand4)adoptionofaLocalEmergencyOperationsPlan.

UnderthenewERAFrule,effectiveinOctober2014,municipalitiescanqualifyforanincreasedstatematchof70percentforthenon‐federalshare(or17.5percentofthetotalprojectcost)by

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either:1)maintaininganactiverateclassificationunderFEMA’sNFIPCommunityRatingSystem(CRS)thatincludesactivitiesthatprohibitnewstructuresinmappedfloodhazardzones;or2)adoptingarivercorridorprotectionbylawthatmeetsorexceedsstatemodelregulationsandguidelines.


1.) AnewFEMA‐approvedhazardMitigationPlanwasadoptedbytheTownonMarch21,2017.

2.) Adoptfloodhazardarearegulationstomitigateagainstfuturefloodingandfluvialerosionevents,andtoqualifytheTowntoparticipateintheNationalFloodInsuranceProgram.

3.) Providefloodhazardareaeducationmaterialstosupportflooddamagemitigationandbetterinsurecommunityresidentsandpropertyforfutureflooddamage.

4.) ConsidertheparticipationintheFEMACommunityRatingSystem(CRS)andadiscountonfloodinsurance

5.) UpdatetheEmergencyOperationsPlanandHazardMitigationPlan.

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III. Transportation

ExistingConditions

ThemajortransportationrouteinAlbanyisVTRoute14whichhadanAnnualAverageDailyTraffic(AADT)volumeof1,400in2012.ThisrouterunsnortheasttosoutheastthroughtownandconnectsAlbanywithIrasburg,Orleans,NewportCityandDerbytothenortheast,HardwickandMontpeliertothesouth,andBurlingtontothesouthwest.Thisrouteiscategorizedasa“MajorCollector”bytheVermontAgencyofTransportation.MajorroutesconnecttheTowntoemployment,healthcare,education,shopping,andmanyotherservices.TheimprovementstotheNortheastKingdomInternationalAirportinCoventryhavethepotentialforgrowthintravelforAlbany.Theairportisapproximately20milesfromAlbany,comparedtoStoweAirfieldorBurlingtonInternationalAirport.‘MinorCollectors’inAlbanyandothertrafficdataisavailableontheAlbanypageofNVDA’swebsite:http://www.nvda.net/towns.php?town=37

AccordingtoVermontGeneralHighwayMap,thereareapproximately46.6milesoftownroadsinAlbany,and6.7milesofstatehighways.

AccordingtotheAmericanCommunitySurvey’s5yearestimatesfor2008‐2012,theaverageAlbanyresident’straveltimetoworkwas30minutes.76.9%ofallworkersdrovetowork,9.7%carpooled,1%walked,and3.9%traveledbyothermeans(notpublictransportation).8.5%oftheworkforceworkedathome.

OthertransportationroutesinTownincludedapproximately16milesofsnowmobiletrailsmaintainedbytheVermontAssociationofSnowTravelers(VAST),whicharealsousedbyNordicskiers.

A.) PlanningConsiderations

AlbanyprovidesbustransportationforallstudentstoVillageandLakeRegionschools,withcrewskeepingroadsopenforthemtenmonthsoftheyear.Busexpenseisabout1.7%ofoureducationbudgetandkeepsrising.Attownmeetingthepossibilityofdiscontinuingschoolbustransporthasbeensuggested.Atthesametime,elderlypeopleandotherswithoutaccesstoprivatevehiclesareinneedofdailypublictransportation.InsomecitiesintheUnitedStatesandworldwide,studentsridepublicbusestoschool.Byoperatingtheschoolbusesaspublictransportation,freetostudentswhileotherriderspayfare,theTowncouldhelpfinancetransportationforourstudentsandserveourgrowingpopulationofolderpeoplewhofinditdifficultorimpossibletodriveespeciallyduringthewinter.

B.) ExistingConditions

TheTownmaintainsitsroadsinaccordancewithcurrentandanticipatedtravelneedsandsafety.AroadmaintenancebudgetforrepairsandupkeepofexistingroadsandstructuresisseteveryyearatTownMeetingandisfundedthroughpropertytaxandfromStatefunds.

Albany’scurrentroadpolicyallowstheSelectBoardtoacceptandmaintainnewandupgradedClass4roadsintotheTownHighwaysystempursuanttoVermontStatutes.

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ParticipationbytheTownintheNortheasternVermontDevelopmentAssociation(NVDA)TransportationAdvisoryCommittee(TAC)allowsAlbanytohaveavoiceintheregionaltransportationinfrastructureprioritization.NVDAalsoconductsRoadForemanmeetingthroughtheAgencyofTransportationDistrictOfficesandatNVDA.Thisisanexcellentpeerlearningopportunityandbuildsrelationshipsbetweencommunities.

C.) ResourcesCanbefoundintheAppendix


1.) Maintainourroadsinsuchawaythatitdoesnotnegativelyimpactournaturalresourcesorappearance.

a. Utilizethelateststatestandardstodetermineandapplytheamountofroadsaltthatisneededforroadsafetywhileprotectingourenvironment.

b. Identifyerosionhazardscausedbytransportationinfrastructureandincorporatetherepairsintoacapitalfacilitiesimprovementplanandbudgetaccordingly.

c. Applyfortransportationinfrastructuregrantstohelpfundroadrepairsandmaintenance.

d. Identifyandrepairexistingtransportationhazardsandareasofdisrepair.

2.) Encourageandaccommodatemultiplemodesoftransportation,includingwalkingandbiking,forallagesandabilities.

3.) Encouragemeetingthetransportationneedsofourseniorpopulation.

a. SupportRuralCommunityTransportation(RTC),andcooperatewithlocalandregionalentitiestoexpandlocaltransportationservices

4.) MaintainatransportationnetworkthataccommodatesthecitizensofAlbanyinamannerthatisaffordableandsustainableoverthelongterm.

The2015VermontlegislativesessioncreatedanewregulatoryframeworkforallworkonTownHighways,TheMunicipalRoadsGeneralPermit(MRGP),aspartofAct64,(theVermontCleanWaterAct.)Thisgeneralpermitisintendedtoachievesignificantreductionsinstormwater‐relatederosionfrommunicipalroads,bothpavedandunpaved.Researchandwaterqualitymonitoringhasindicatedthatroadsareresponsiblefor6‐10%ofphosphorusloadstoLakeChamplainandotherwaterways,androadscontributeover10%ofsedimentloads.Excessivesedimentandphosphoruscancausealgaeblooms,increasewaterturbidity(cloudiness),anddegradefishandinvertebratehabitat.

Municipalitieswillneedtodevelopandimplementacustomized,multi‐yearplantostabilizetheirroaddrainagesystem.Theplanwillincludebringingroaddrainagesystemsuptobasicmaintenancestandards,andadditionalcorrectivemeasurestoreduceerosion.ThepermitisrequiredbyH.35/Act64,theVermontCleanWaterAct,andtheLakeChamplainPhaseITMDLandappliestoallVermontmunicipalities.

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Updatedinformationcanalsobefoundontheprogram’swebsiteat:http://www.watershedmanagement.vt.gov/stormwater/htm/sw_municipalroads.htm

5.) Municipalitieswillneedtoinventorytheirroadnetworkandidentifypriorityroadsegmentsthatareconnectedtosurfacewatersthroughditches,culvertsorotherdrainagestructures.TownswillthenreporttoDECwhichofthesepriorityroadsegmentsmeetanddonotmeetMRGPstandards.Townswillprioritizeroadsegmentsanddevelopremediationplansandimplementationschedules(capitalbudgets).

TownscanapplyforfundingthroughtheBetterBackRoadsProgramforboththeinventoryandremediationprocess.ThereistechnicalassistancethroughtheCountyConservationDistrict,VTransMaintenanceDistrict,VermontLocalRoadsandNVDA.

DECwillbedevelopingadraftMRGPandstandardsbyDecember2016andafinalversiononeyearlater.TownswillbeginapplyingforMRGPcoveragebetween2018‐2021.Exactdatesaretobedetermined.TownscanbeapprisedofthecomingrequirementsthroughparticipationintheRegionalRoadForeman’sGroupfacilitatedbyNVDAandtheirVTransDistrict,orbygoingtotheDECMRGPwebsiteabove.BeforetheMRGPandstandardsarefinalized,townscanbeginidentifyingroaderosionsitesthatcouldpotentiallyimpactwaterwaysandbeginimplementingroadbestmanagementpractices.TownsidentifyingsitesandimplementingBMPswillbecreditedforthisworkaspartoftheMRGP.”

IV. UtilitiesandFacilities

1.) WaterSupply/SewageDisposal

TherearetwopubliccommunitywatersupplysystemsinAlbany:asystemwhichservestheAlbanySchoolandasystemwhichservespropertiesintheincorporatedvillage.

TheAlbanyTownSchoolhasitsowncommunitywaterandsewagesystem.

TheVillagewatersystemcurrentlyhas97connections.Waterserviceisnotmeteredtoindividualcustomers.ThewatersystemismanagedbySimonOperationServicesbasedinWaterbury,Vermont.TheVillageTrusteesownapproximately20acresintheSourceProtectionArea(SPA)fortheVillageWatersystem.ThelocationoftheSourceProtectionareaandpublicwellsareavailableontheVermontNaturalResourcesAtlasat:http://anrmaps.vermont.gov/websites/anra/TheappendixincludesamapgeneratedfromthatwebsitedepictingpublicwatersourcesandtheSourceProtectionAreas.

Sewagedisposalistheresponsibilityofthehome‐ownerorbusiness,asiswatersupplyforpropertiesoutsidetheserviceareasoftheVillagewatersystem.

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SolidWasteDisposal

Severalprivatecompaniesprovidesolidwastedisposalservicesforresidentsbysubscription.Thereisalsoa“paybythebag”solidwasteserviceattheTownRecyclingCenter,openthesamehoursastheRecyclingCenter.AlbanyisamemberoftheNortheastKingdomWasteManagementDistrict.TheAlbany/IrasburgRecyclingCenterislocatedjustsouthoftheAlbanyVillagecenter.Informationormaterialsacceptedandhoursofoperationattherecyclingcentercanbefoundathttp://nekwmd.org/services/Albany.pdf

2.) LawEnforcement/FireProtection/EmergencyServices

TheOrleansCountrySheriff’sDepartmentprovidespatrolservicesoftheTownofAlbany.TheyandtheVermontStatePoliceareresponsibleforlawenforcement.Albanyalsohasaconstablewhoalsoactsasadogcatcher.TheTownreliesonavolunteerfiredepartment.AlbanyhasseveralcertifiedEMT’swhoareabletorespondtoemergencysituations.AlbanyhasanemergencyservicespolicyinplaceinconjunctionwiththeAmericanRedCross.

3.) HealthCareFacilities

TherearenohealthcarefacilitieswithintheTownofAlbany,buttraveltimestothenearesthealthcarefacilitiesrangefrom30minutesto2hours.ThisincludesfacilitiesinNewport,Orleans,Barton,Hardwick,Morrisville,andSt.Johnsbury.

4.) PublicBuildings/Properties

PublicbuildingsownedbythetownincludetheTownHall/Library,TownClerk’sOffice,andtheFireStation,allonRt.14.

TheTownLibraryprovidesfreewirelessinternetservicetopatrons,aswellastwocomputersforuse.

OtherTown‐ownedpropertiesincludetheTownGarageandgravelpitlocatedonDelanoRoad,theTowngarageandsand/saltshedlocatedonCenterHillRoad,andTownvehiclesofvarioustypes.

TheAlbanyHistoricalSocietyfocusesoncollectiondevelopmentandthepresentationoftheTown’shistorytoitsresidents.Itisopentwiceayear,onMemorialDayandLaborDay,andbyappointment.TheHistoricalSocietyalsomaintainsthememorialsandplantingsonthegroundsofthebuilding.

TheAlbanybranchoftheU.S.PostOfficeislocatedonMainStreetinAlbanyVillage.

TherearesevencemeteriesinAlbany,includingonelocatedonVTRt.14/MainStreet,justNorthofAlbanyVillage;onelocatedontheCreekRoad;andoneonChamberlinHillRoad.TheVillagecemeteryisownedandmaintainedbyitsowncorporateentity.TheCatholiccemeteryisownedandmaintainedbytheCatholicChurchandtheremaining5cemeteriesareownedandmaintainedbytheTownofAlbany.

5.) PublicUtilities:ElectricandTelecommunications

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AlbanyisservedbytheVermontElectricCo‐operative.MoreinformationaboutthisintheEnergysection.

FairPointprovideslandlinephoneservicesinAlbany.Inlate2013FairPointexpandeditsfiber‐basedbroadbandInternetservicetoAlbany,servingmostcustomersalongtheVTRt.14corridor.

Internetserviceisalsoprovidedbysatellitecompanies,Wildblue,HughesNetandDISH.


1.CooperatewithandencouragecontinuedmaintenanceoftheVillageWatersystemandSourceProtectionAreaplan2.Encourageathowtoeducateformoreeffectiverecyclingpractices.3.Promoteuseofexistingrecreationalfacilities.

V. PRESERVATIONPLAN

Albanystillpossessesaviableworkingrurallandscapewithasignificantamountofmanagedforestland.Accordingtothe2015GrandListforAlbany,thereare24,325acresoflandinthetown.Ofthis,thereare100parcelsenrolledinVermont’sCurrentUseProgram.InformationprovidedfromtheListersupdatesthat3,719areagriculturalacres,8,623areforestlandacres,407areNonproductiveforestlandacresand81acresaremorethanamilefromaclass3roadandareforestlandacres.

TheVermontLandTrusthasconservedatotalof1,076acresinAlbany,approximatelyhalfofwhichisforestlandat542acres.Inaddition,theTownForestcomprises22.5acresoflandonHartwellPondRoad.

AgriculturehashistoricallyhelpedtocharacterizetheTownofAlbanyandcontinuestotoday.In2012,landinAlbanyenrolledinVermont’sCurrentUseProgram,bothagriculturalandforestryproperties,constitutedroughly43%oftheTown’stotallandarea.InAlbany,thereare15propertiesthatarelistedas“farms”ontheTown’sGrandList,whichrangefrom0.83acresto436acresinsize,withtheaveragesizebeing178acres.Thereare44propertiesidentifiedas“woodland”,manyofwhichcontainsugarhouses,ranginginsizefrom10acresto378acres,theaveragesizebeing84acres.Albany’sfarmscoveratotalof2,667acres,andwoodlandparcelscoveratotalof3,704acres.Combined,theycoverapproximately26%oftheTown’stotallandarea.

TheVermontLandTrusthasconservedatotalof1,076acresinAlbany,approximatelyhalfofwhichisagriculturallandat534acres.555acresofthislandreceivedfinancialassistancefromtheVermontHousingandConservationTrustFund(VHCB).Inaddition,43acresofpropertynowpartoftheAlbanyCommunitySchool,waspurchasedwiththehelpofagrantfromassistancefromVHCB,andcombinedwithanappropriationfromtheTownofAlbany.

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Inaddition,TheNorthernRiversLandTrust(NRLT)isactiveinAlbany.TheNRLTwasfoundedin2006byresidentsofHardwickandsixneighboringtownswhowereinterestedinpreservingthearea’sruralcharacterbyprotectingfarms,forestlandandwildlifehabitat.NRLTisaprivatenonprofit501©3landconservationorganizationsupportedbyitsmembershipandgovernedbyavolunteerboardoftrustees.Wearenotconnectedwithlocalorstategovernment.AparticularrecentprojectundertakenbyNRLTisLamphearBrook.LamphearBrookanditswatershed,locatedinnorthwestAlbanyTownship,areaspectacularfeatureoftheNortheastKingdom’slandscape.Thebrook,whichdrainspartoftheLowellMountainrange,cascadesoverahundredfeetthroughdeepgullies,includinga20‐footwaterfall(below)beforecrossingRoute14andemptyingintotheBlackRiver.

Landownersandothertownspeoplehaveformedagroupcalled“FriendsofLamphearBrook”,whichisworkingwiththeVermontRiverConservancyandtheNorthernRiversLandTrusttointroduceconservationeasementsandothermeasurestoprotectthewatershed.Thisincludeseffortsunderwaytorestorea160‐acreparcelontheIrasburgborder,formerlyownedbyMiddleburyCollegethatwasclear‐cutin2011‐12.

InDecember2015,twoownersoflandinthewatershed,HenryCoeandAllisonVanAkkeren,conservedtheirpropertieswiththeNRLT.Coe’sproperty,inAlbany,comprisestwoadjacentparcelstotaling125acres,moreorless,inthemiddleofthewatershed,whileVanAkkeren’scomprisescloseto100acresinLowell,ontheAlbanyborder.

InformationrelatedtoAlbany’sexistingnaturalareas,scenicfeatures,importantwildlifehabitatandhistoricresourcescanbefoundontheattachedNaturalResourcesConstraintsmap.


1.) EncourageprotectionandmanagementofAlbany’sNaturalHeritageandbiodiversityforthebenefitofcurrentandfuturegenerations.

Encourageconservationofnaturalresourcesthroughlocalconservationplanningandlandstewardship.

EncourageopportunitiestoraisecommunityawarenessaboutAlbany’snaturalheritagethrougheducation.

CooperatewithStateandFederalagenciestopreserveirreplaceablenaturalareas,scenicareas,historicbuildings,andfragilenaturalresources.

2.)CooperatewiththeoutreacheffortsoftheHosmerPondsWatershedInitiative

3.)EncouragedevelopmentoftownpoliciesonhowtouseandpreservenaturalresourcesforthebenefitofcurrentandfutureresidentsofAlbanyandcreationof“Town”visionfornaturalheritageprotection.

4.)IdentifyandunderstandthenaturalresourceswithinAlbanyandtheirregionalsignificancetothesurroundinglandscape.

5.)Protectandlimitthedegradationofnaturalresourcesforallroaddevelopment,roadmaintenance,andconstructionactivitiesperformedbytheTown,inaccordancewiththeadoptedroadandbridgestandards.

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6.)Encourageconservationandthepreservationofnaturalresourcesthroughlocalconservationplanningandlandstewardship.

7.)Managealltownandallschool‐ownedlandsasmodelsforgoodlandstewardshipandtheconservationofnaturalresources.

8.)Encourageeducationofresidentsaboutexistingrulesandregulationspertainingtotheuseandprotectionofnaturalresources.

9.)Encourageeducationofresidentsontherecentlyenactedstatelakeshoreprotectionlegislationandrequiredstatepermits.

10.)Encouragethedevelopmentforapolicyontheuseanddevelopmentofwindandsolarpower.

11.)CooperatewithmeasurestopreserveAlbany’shistoricandscenicresources

12.)Encouragethedevelopmentofaroadreviewcommitteetoidentifyroads,ditchesandstreamcrossingsinthebasinthatarehavinganimpactonwaterresources,focusinginitiallyontownroadswhichhavenotyetparticipatedintheBetterBackroadsProgramincludingIrasburg,Coventry,AlbanyandCraftsbury.

13.)CooperatewithothertownsinthebasintoapplyforBetterBackroadsGrants..

IMPLEMENTATION

(ItshouldbenotedthattheTownofAlbanysuccessfullycompletedatreeplantingprojectin2011onthebanksofMcClearyBrookontheAlbanyCommunitySchoolpropertytoimprovewaterquality.)

VI. Education

A. ExistingConditions:

TheAlbanyCommunitySchoolwascompletedin1996.Itislocatedonthewesternsideoftown,directlyonVermontStateRoute14betweenCraftsburyandIrasburg.Itserveschildreninpreschoolthroughthe8thgrade.

Theactualbuildingconsistsof20,000squarefeet,holdingninefull‐sizeclassrooms,alibrary,offices,workrooms,agymnasium,andakitchen.Theclassroomsarelargewithcubbies,supplyclosets,andequippedwithappropriateandmoderntechnology.Thegymnasiumhasbuilt‐inbleachers,arenovatedfloorandplentyofstoragespace.Adetachedschoolshed,sitsatthefootofthepavedparkinglot.Theschoolbuildingsitson49acres.Thegroundsareamixofmostlyfieldswithsomeforestandwetlands.Thesenaturalareasareconnectedbyatrailsystemsettobeimprovedandexpandedinthesummerof2014.Ballfields,aplayground,andacommunitygardenroundouttheoutdoorfacilities.

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Thebuildingisinexcellentshape.TheTownisdeterminedtokeepthemaintenancecurrent.Enrollmentisdownfromhistoriclevels.Thestaffhasplentyofspacetomeettheeducationalneedsoftheirstudents.Notonlydoesitmeettheneedsofthestudentsduringtheregularschoolday,itmeetstheneedsofstudentsandthecommunityafterschoolhours.NextyeartheAlbanyCommunitySchoolwillhost,fivedaysaweek,anafterschoolprogramforallstudents.Thebuildingandgroundsallowprogramsofalltypes,rangingfromdramatodancetowildernesssurvivalskills.Thecommunityhostsarangeofmeetings,receptions,birthdayparties,trainings,dinners,andsportingeventsinandontheschoolproperty.

B. PlanningConsiderations

Thecurrentschoolbuildingisadequateforthecurrentpopulation.Theschoolwouldliketoconsidersomeenergyefficiencymeasures,toaddresssomesafetyconcerns,andtoaddsomestoragespacetoourshedinthefuture.Theschoolhasjustbeenthroughatoptobottomenergyaudit.ComparedtomostVermontSchools,theAlbanyCommunitySchoolisinexcellentshapeintermsofenergyusagepersquarefoot.However,ACScouldachieveadditionalsavingsbydiscontinuingtheuseofheatingoilasitsmainsourceoffuel,byfurtherinsulatingtheattic,andbyproducingsomeormostofitsenergythroughsolarpanels.Intermsofsafety,accordingtotheVermontStateTroopers,theAlbanyCommunitySchoolisthesafestintheOrleansCountySupervisoryUnion.However,theinstallationofdetectioncamerasandschool‐widewindowfilmwouldhelpmakethesafestschoolevensafer.

Thetaxpayers,todate,havekeptthebuildinginexcellentshapereplacingandrestoringasneededwithhighqualitymaterials.Ifthetaxpayerscontinuethismethodofbuildingmaintenance,theschoolstructurewilllastmanyyearsintothefuture.ActionsandforethoughtlikethiswillcontinuetomaketheAlbanyCommunitySchoolawonderfulplacetosendchildren.

WiththepassageofAct46in2015,AlbanyhasjoinedastudycommitteewiththeotherschoolsintheOrleansCentralSupervisoryUniontostudymergingintoonedistrict.


TheAlbanyCommunitySchoolisastudent‐centeredschool,andthecommonthreadthroughoutourschoolisrespectforallpeopleandproperty.Ourschoolwillenableindividualstoachieveahigh,measurablelevelofacademicandsocialcompetencethroughavarietyoflearningexperiences.Studentswilllearninaninclusive,accepting,safeenvironmentthatpreparesthemtolivefull,independentandparticipatorylives.

1.Maintainthefacilities.2.ReflecttheStaterequirements.3.Continuetosupportthevisionoftheschoolsystem.4.Broadenaccesstoeducationalandvocationaltrainingopportunitiessufficienttoensurefullrealizationoftheabilitiesofallresidents.

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VII. ENERGY

Nearlyeverymodernconveniencewehaveinourhomesandbusinessestodayconsumesenergy,poweringeverythingfromourlighting,heating,transportation,toourmechanicalmachinesandindustrialtools.Weoftentakeitforgrantedthatthecurrentsourcesfortraditionalpowerareinfiniteandwilllastforever.Butrecentglobaleventsandeconomicimpactstendtodisagree.Agrowingtrendistoseekalternativesourcestothetraditionalpetroleumandfossilfuels.Overthepastfewyears,Albanyhaswitnessedourneighboringcommunitiescaughtupinthecommercializationoftheirridgelineswithcommercialwindandhugesolarprojectswithlittlelocalsayonthedevelopmentandplacementoftheseprojects.Thesocialandvisualimpactoftheseprojectshasledtocommunityandregionaldisagreementovertheirvalueatthistimeanduntiltheeconomicfeasibilityjustifiesthis,Albanyprefersandrecommendssmallscaleresidentialwindandsolarasmeanstodefrayglobalwarming.IfopportunityexistsforfuturecommercialscaleenergyprojectswithinourTown,theplanningcommissionrecommendsthatourresidentshavelocal“sitingchoice1stapproval”inordertodirectthewillofthecitizensatalocallevel.

EnergyEfficiency

In2009,anenergyauditwasconductedontheTownHall/LibrarybuildingaspartofaseriesofmunicipalenergyauditsconductedinNortheastKingdomcommunitiesunderagrantadministeredbyNVDA.TheresultsoftheauditarecontainedinareportandaddendumpreparedbyMontpelierConstruction,acertifiedEnergyStarcontractor.

Recommendationstoimproveenergyefficiencyincludednewthermostats,airsealing,andtheadditionofinsulation.Workwasprioritizedbasedonthefinancialpaybackperiod:“LevelOne”prioritieswerethoseimprovementsthatwouldpayforthemselvesinlessthantwoyears;“LevelTwo”hadapaybackperiodoftwotosixyears;and“LevelThree”hadapaybackperiodofover6years.

In2013AlbanyvotedtoparticipateintheVermontPropertyAssessedCleanEnergy(PACE)Program,althoughtheprocessofestablishingthePACEdistrictinAlbanyhasnotyetbeenfinalized.

EnergyUse

Basedonthe2010census,thetwomostcommonlyusedtypesofhomeheatingfuelinAlbanywaswood(47.5%)andfueloil(46.9%).TheTablebelowshowsacomparisonofhomeheatingfueluseinAlbanyTown,OrleansCountyandVermont.

ElectricalServiceisprovidedtoAlbanyresidentsbytheVermontElectricalCooperative(VEC).BasedontheVermontEnergyAtlas,thetotalannualelectricconsumptioninAlbanyin2010was3,380MWh.

AccordingtoVEC,therearenospecificneeds,scarcities,orproblemsthatneedtobeaddressedcurrentlywiththeelectricalsupplytoAlbany.AlbanyVillage,includingthefirestation,schoolandpostofficealongwithagreatportionofAlbanytownisfedfromaradiallinethatoriginatesinIrasburg,(justsouthofBob’sGasStationonRoute16).(SomeareasofEastAlbanyarefedfroma

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separatelineconnectedtotheBurtonHilltransmissionline).AlongtermfailureoftheradiallineonRoute16,duringastormorotheremergency,couldresultinatotalAlbanyTownoutage.

VECencouragesAlbanytomaintainitsback‐upgeneratorattheelementaryschoolforemergencyshelterpurposesintheeventtheareaisaffectedbyanaturaldisaster.ThedistributionandsupplyofelectricityintoAlbanyismeetingcurrentneedswithVEC’splanninghorizonforsupplyingtheentiresystem(AlbanyandotherTowns)is20yearsbasedonloadforecasting.Theyseenofuturecapacitydeficiencies.

InresponsetorecentchangesinsystemmaintenanceandVEC’sinitiativestoimproveservicetoallmembers,VEChasrecentlyincreasedeffortsandinvestmenttohavepowerline“rightofways”clearedandtrimmedtohelpreducetreedamagefromstormsthatresultinoutages.Itisanongoingprogram.

VECcontinuestoofferprogramsforcommunitiesincludingcommunityeducationandpromotionofprogramssuchas“BeatthePeak”,Co‐opCommunitySolar,andupcoming“EnergyTransformation”opportunities.Moreinformationcanbefoundontheirwebsite.

NetMetering

Netmeteringallowspropertyownerswhohavearenewableenergysystemontheirproperty,suchasaroof‐topsolarsystemorwindmill,tofeedexcessenergybackintothepowergrid.InVermont,utilitiesarerequiredtoacceptnetmeteringprojectsuntiltheircombinedcapacityreaches15percentoftheutility’speakload.Theserulesareunderreviewandsubjecttochangeinthenearfuture.

AlternativeEnergy

TheVermontEnergyAtlasprovidesmappingofpotentialwinddevelopmentareasthroughoutVermont(http://www.vtenergyatlas.com).Potentialsitesforwindpowerdependontheheightoftheturbineandwellasthegeographiclocation.

TherearecurrentlynumerousresidentialwindandsolarinstallationsinAlbanythatarebothnet‐meteredandnon‐net‐metered(offgrid).Thisisagrowingtrendanditisbelievedthatitwillcontinueintothefuture.

ThepotentialforsolarenergyismappedbytheVermontEnergyAtlas,whichshowsthepotentialofdifferentareasforbothroofandgroundsolarsystems.

Structurescanbesituatedtopassivelymakeuseofsolarenergy.Activesolarthermalsystemsusethesamebasicprinciplebutuseacollectortoabsorbandcollectsolarradiation.Fansorpumpsarethenusedtocirculatetheheatedairorheatabsorbingfluid.Systemscanalsocapturesolarenergythroughtheuseofphotovoltaicpanels.

PlanningConsiderations

1.) EnergyAudits

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Anenergyauditisagoodfirststepthathelpshomeownersdecideiftheywouldbenefitfromenergyefficiencyupgradesintheirhome.Ifthereisasignificantlossofheatduetoinadequateinsulationorairleaks,theannualsavingsinenergycostsresultingfromupgradescanfarexceedthecostoftheenergy‐efficiencyimprovements.Iftheresultsoftheenergyassessmentshowthatupgradeswouldbebeneficial,homeownersmaydecidetoeitherfinancethecostsoftheenergyefficiencyupgradesontheirownorthroughtraditionalloanoptions,ortofinanceitthroughparticipationintheTown’sPACEprogram(PropertyAccessedCleanEnergy)(seebelow).MoreinformationonthetypesofenergyauditsavailableandtheirdegreeofusefulnesscanbefoundbycontactingEfficiencyVermontorvisitingtheirwebsite:www.efficiencyvermont.com

2.) TownStreetLights

StreetlightsintheAlbanyVillageusedtousealotofelectricity.TheVillageinvestigatedagrantprogramthroughEfficiencyVermonttohelpconverttheexistingstreetlightstomoreenergyefficientones.Theresultingconversionhasresultedinagreatsavings.

3.) PACEProgram

TownparticipationinthePACEprogramhelpseligibleresidentsfinanceweatherizationandefficiencyimprovementsorinstallrenewableenergysystemsontheirresidentialproperties.Thevalueofthoseimprovementsisaddedtotheassessedvalueofthepropertywiththecostoftheimprovementspaidbackasanassessmentoveraperiodnottoexceedtwenty‐years.Sincethepaymentsaretiedtothepropertyratherthantheowner,PACEfinancingpaymentscanbetransferredtoanewhomeowneratanytime.

4.) EnergyStandardsforNewConstruction

RecentlyenactedStatelegislationsupportstheapplicationofenergyefficiencyinnewconstruction,additionsandrenovations.Anamendmentto24V.S.A.§4449requiresthatwhenamunicipallandusepermitissought,theadministrativeofficershallprovidetheapplicantwithacopyoftheapplicablebuildingenergystandardsunder21V.S.A.§§266(residentialbuildingenergystandards)and268(commercialbuildingenergystandards).TheadministrativeofficermayprovideacopyoftheVermontResidentialBuildingEnergyCodeBook,publishedbytheDepartmentofPublicService,inlieuofthefulltextoftheresidentialbuildingenergystandards.Whiletheseenergystandardshavebeenmandatedsince1998(forresidentialconstruction),and2007(forcommercialconstruction),thenewstatelegislationshouldresultinbetterpublicawarenessandcompliancebybuildingcontractorswiththesestandards.

5.) LandDevelopmentPatterns

Besidesimprovingenergyefficiencythroughbuildingstandardsandweatherizationupgrades,patternsoflandusedevelopmentthatmakeefficientuseofexistinginfrastructureandresultsinresidentialdevelopmentoccurringincloseproximitytobasicgoodsandservicescanhelpconserveenergyusebyreducingvehiclemilestraveled.


1.) EncourageincreasedpublicawarenessofthePACEprogramanditsbenefits.2.) CooperatewithEfficiencyVermontinholdingpublicinformationsessionsforresidentson

thebenefitsofundertakingeligiblePACEprojects,andhowtoparticipateintheprogram.

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VIII. Housing

A) ExistingConditions

ThegreatestconcentrationofdwellingunitsinAlbanyiswithinthecenteroftheincorporatedVillage,attheintersectionofMainStreetwithWaterStreet,OldStreet,andNewStreet.The2010censuscountedatotalof511housingunitsintheTown,83ofwhichwerelocatedwithintheincorporatedvillage.ThereisalsoasmallclusterofdwellingsintheareaofSouthAlbany.TherestoftheTown’shousingunitsaredispersedalongRoute14,andonthepavedandunpavedtownroads.

SeeTable1(page27)whichhighlightspopulationandhousingdatainAlbany,OrleansCountyandtheStatefrom2000to2010,baseduponthemostrecentavailabledatafromtheU.S.Census.

ThenumbersshowthatAlbanyhasgrowninyear‐roundpopulationandfamilyhouseholdsoverthelastdecade.

Albany’spopulationgrewby101persons,thenumberoffamiliesincreasedby30,andthetown’shousingstockincreasedby58unitsfrom2000to2010.Year‐roundhouseholdsalsoincreasedby58,mirroringthegrowthinhousingunits,whileseasonalunitsactuallydecreasedby1.

Therateofgrowthinoccupied(year‐round)housingunitsandfamilyhouseholdsinAlbanywassignificantlyhigherthaninthecountyandstate.FamilyhouseholdsinAlbanyincreasedby12.6%from2000‐2010,whileOrleansCountyhadgrowthofonly2%andtheState,only1.7%.Occupiedhousingunitsincreasedby17.2%inAlbany,whiletheincreasewasonly8.4%and6.6%,respectively,inthecountyandstate.

Thevastmajorityofnewhousingunitsbuiltoccurredoutsideoftheincorporatedvillage,withonly4ofthe58newunitsoccurringinsidethevillageboundaries.However,percentage‐wise,thegrowthinpopulationandfamilyhouseholdswasgreaterwithinthevillagethaninthetownasawhole,withpopulationinthevillageincreasingby17%comparedtogrowthof12%town‐wide.

Withinthevillage,thenumberofunitsthatwererenter‐occupiedincreasedby7whileowner‐occupiedunitsdecreasedby4.Percentage‐wise,thenumberofrenter‐occupiedunitsincreasedatagreaterratethanowner‐occupiedunitstown‐wide.Whilethisincrease(22.8%)wassignificantlyhigherthanthepercentincreaseinrentalunitscounty‐wideandstate‐wide,owner‐occupiedunitsstillaccountforthemajority(about82%)ofthehouseholdsinAlbany.County‐wide,owner‐occupiedunitsaccountfor75.6%ofallhouseholds,andstate‐wide,70.7%ofunits.

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Table1.PopulationandHousingStock2000‐2010

AlbanyVillage AlbanyTown OrleansCounty Vermont

2000 2010 change 2000 2010 change 2000 2010 %change 2000 2010 %change# % # % # %

Population 165 193 28

17.0%

840 941 101

12.0%

26,277

27,231

954 3.6% 608,827

625,741

2.8%

Familyhouseholds

48 55 7 14.6%

238 268 30 12.6%

7,153 7,298 145 2.0% 157,763

160,360

1.7%

TotalHousingUnits

79 83 4 5.1% 453 511 58 12.8%

14,673

16,162

1,489

10.2%

294,382

322,539

9.6%

OccupiedHousingUnits(Households)

70 73 3 4.3% 337 395 58 17.2%

10,446

11,320

874 8.4% 240,634

256,442

6.6%

Owner‐occupied

59 55 ‐4 6.8% 280 325 45 16.1%

7,738 8,553 815 10.5%

169,784

181,407

6.9%

Renter‐occupied

11 18 7 63.6%

57 70 13 22.8%

2,708 2,767 59 2.2% 70,850 75,035 5.9%

TotalVacantHousingUnits

9 10 1 11.1%

116 116 0 0 4,227 4,842 615 14.6%

53,748 66,097 23.0%

Vacantunitsusedseasonally

3 4 1 33.3%

93 92 ‐1 1.1% 3,397 3,951 554 16.3%

43,060 50,198 16.6%

Source:Census2010,AmericanCommunitySurvey2007‐2011Estimates,HousingData.org

HousingAffordability

Table2highlightsincomesandthevalueandaffordabilityofhousingintheregion.Averagemonthlyownercostsforhousingareprovided,aswellasdataontheincomethatthedepartmentofHousingandUrbanDevelopment(HUD)hasdeterminedisneededinordertoaffordamarket‐raterentalinthecountyandstate.

Ingeneral,ahouseholdforwhichrentsorhousingcostsexceed30percentofhouseholdincomeisconsideredfinanciallystressed.

WhilebothhouseholdandfamilyincomeswerelowerinAlbanythanthecountyandstatefigures,thesalepriceofprimaryresidencesandthemedianmonthlyownercostswerealsolower.Calculatedhousingcostsincludeallexpensesassociatedwithhousing,includingrents,sumofpaymentson

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mortgages,fuelcosts,utilities,insurance,andrealestatetaxes.Town‐wide,bothmedianownercostsandrentalhousingcostsasapercentageofhouseholdincomewerebelow30%,indicatingthathousingintownisgenerallyaffordable.However,thecensusalsoshowstherewereaconsiderablenumberofbothowner‐occupiedandrenter‐occupiedunitswheremonthlycostswereatorexceeded30%ofhouseholdincome.Inaddition,therelationshipofpercapitaincomeoftownresidentswithwhatisestimatedtobetheincomeneededtoaffordanapartmentcounty‐wide,indicatesapotentialaffordabilityproblemwhichcouldbecomeanissueiftheneedforrentalhousingweretoincreasewithoutaparallelincreaseinincome.

Table2

IncomeandCostofHousing

Albany OrleansCounty Vermont

MedianHouseholdIncome $33,274 $40,929 $53,422

MedianFamilyIncome $48,375 $49,966 $66,340

Medianfamilyadjustedgrossincome,2011* $35,893 $41,818 $59,315

MedianPriceofprimaryresidencessold,2012 $112,500 $129,000 $196,000

MedianPriceofvacationresidencesold,2012 $315,000 $186,973 $281,117

Medianmonthlyownercosts $778 $875 $1195

Medianmonthlyownercostsas%ofhouseholdincome

28.7% 23.2% 23.2%

Mediangrossrent $668 $671 843

Mediangrossrentasa%ofhouseholdincome 22% 33.2% 30.9%

Percapitaincome $19,038 $21,000 $28,376

IncomeneededtoaffordanapartmentatHUD’sFairMarketRentfor2013:

0bedroomunit $24,480 $24,480 $30,290

1bedroomunit $25,360 $25,360 $33,119

2bedroomunit $30,320 $30,320 $42,156

Source:AmericanCommunitySurvey5‐yearestimates(2007‐2011);VermontHousingData(www.housingdata.org)

Notes:*fromtheVermontStatetaxformsoffamilies.

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Conditionofhousingstock

AccordingtodatacompiledbytheAmericanCommunitySurvey5‐yearestimates(2007‐2011)therewereeightoccupiedhousingunitsintownlackingcompleteplumbingfacilities,andsixoccupiedunitslackingcompletekitchenfacilities.Themediandateofconstructionforalloccupiedhousingunitswas1967.

B. PlanningConsiderations

FactorssuchasthecapacityoftheVillagewatersystem,thelocationoffluvialerosionhazardareas,andthepresenceofsoilsunsuitableforsepticsystemswillinfluencetheabilityoftheVillagetoabsorbmoreresidentialdensity.Futureresidentialdevelopmentshouldoccurinsuchawaythatitwillnotstressexistingresources,includingcommunityfacilitiesandservices.IncreasedresidentialdensityintheVillageisnotdesirableatthistime,althoughimprovementintheconditionofexistinghousingresourcesinthevillagethroughrestoration,rehabilitationorrebuildingisdesirable.

NewresidentialdevelopmentoccurringoutsidetheVillageshouldmakeuseofexistingroadsandinfrastructure,andavoidimpactingexistingandpotentialagriculturalandrecreationaluseoftheland.

Energyefficiencycanberealizedbyavoidingresidentialdevelopmentthatrequiresthecreationofnewroads,thatislocatedfarfromservicesandemploymentcenters,andthatingeneralincreasesthenumberofvehiclemilestraveled.

AlthoughtheTownwillconsideradoptingfloodhazardregulationstown‐wideinordertoqualifyformembershipintheNationalFloodInsuranceProgram,therearecurrentlynolocalregulationsthatmighthinderthedevelopmentofaffordabletypesofhousing,includingmanufacturedhomeparksormultipleunitdwellings.However,allnewresidentialdevelopmentneedsreviewandapprovalofanon‐sitesepticsystemfromtheState.


1.)Encouragerestorationand/orrebuildingofexistingdwellings.

2.)EncouragepreservationoftheagriculturalandrecreationaluseoflandsinTown.

3.)EncouragenewresidentialdevelopmentoccurringoutsidetheVillagetomakeuseofexistingroadsandinfrastructure,andavoidimpactingexistingandpotentialagriculturalandrecreationaluseoftheland.

IX. EconomicDevelopment

A.) ExistingConditions:

AccordingtothemostrecentCensusdata,thetop5industriesprovidingemploymenttoAlbanyresidentswere“educational,healthcareandsocialassistance”(18.2%),“manufacturing”(14.1%),“construction”(12%),“retailtrade”(12%),and“agriculture,forestry,fishingandhunting,andmining”(9.6%).Anothersignificantsegmentoftheworkingpopulation(9.4%)foundemploymentinthe“arts,entertainment,recreation,andaccommodationandfoodservices”industry.

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AlbanyResidents’EmploymentbyOccupation

OCCUPATION Estimate Percent

Civilianemployedpopulation16yearsandover 417 100%

Management,business,science,andartsoccupations 140 33.6%

Serviceoccupations 62 14.9%

Salesandofficeoccupations 67 16.1%

Naturalresources,construction,andmaintenanceoccupations 64 15.3%

Production,transportation,andmaterialmovingoccupations 84 20.1%

AlbanyResidents’EmploymentbyIndustry

INDUSTRY Estimate Percent

Civilianemployedpopulation16yearsandover 417 100%

Agriculture,forestry,fishingandhunting,andmining 40 9.6%

Construction 50 12.0%

Manufacturing 59 14.1%

Wholesaletrade 13 3.1%

Retailtrade 50 12.0%

Transportationandwarehousing,andutilities 10 2.4%

Information 2 0.5%

Financeandinsurance,andrealestateandrentalandleasing 6 1.4%

Professional,scientific,andmanagement,andadministrativeandwastemanagementservices

24 5.8%

Educationalservices,andhealthcareandsocialassistance 76 18.2%

Arts,entertainment,andrecreation,andaccommodationandfoodservices

39 9.4%

Otherservices,exceptpublicadministration 26 6.2%

Publicadministration 22 5.3%

Source:U.S.CensusBureau.ACS5‐YearEstimates2008‐2012,TableDP03

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AfewfamilyrundairyfarmsstilloperateinAlbany,whileawidevarietyofforestproductscontinuetobeproducedfromAlbany’sforestedlands.Bothoftheseprovideeconomicopportunitiesfortherespectivelandowners.Meanwhile,anumberofdiversifiedagriculturaloperationshavebecomeestablishedinAlbanyrecently,ensuringthecontinuationofAlbany’shistoricagriculturalpast.AllofwhichenablesAlbanytocontinuetopossessavibrantworkingrurallandscapethataidsinmaintainingAlbany’sdesiredcharacter.Inaddition,Albanyprovidestheopportunityforawidevarietyofentrepreneurstomakealivinginsuchawonderfulsetting.Craftspeople,teachers,artists,writers,salespeople,woodworkers,masons,carpenters,othertradespeopleareexamplesofsomeoftheindividualswhohavebeensuccessfulinmakingAlbanytheirhome,whilestillbeingabletoearnalivingfromtheirhome.

B.) PlanningConsiderations:

Agriculture

FarmingandForestryareproductiveusesofthelandthattheTownwantstosupport.

Tourism

TheNordicskitrailsassociatedwiththeCraftsburyOutdoorCenterareanimportantresourcebothforrecreationandeconomicdevelopmentinTown.InadditiontoprovidingrecreationalresourcestotheresidentsofAlbany,itbringstourismbusinesstothearea.Biketouringcompaniesalsouseroadsinthearea.

BusinessNeeds

Inthepast,thereweremultiplesmallgeneralstoreswithinthetown,andevenwithinrecentyears,twoGeneralStoresoperatedwithintheVillage.Residentsoftowncurrentlybelievethereexistsaneedforatleastoneenterpriseofthisnaturetoreturn,bothasanimportantlocalsourceofgrocerynecessitiesandmerchandiseaswellasanimportantspokeinthecommunities’socialwell‐being.

VillageCenterDesignation

TheVermontVillageCenterdesignationprogram,administeredbytheVermontAgencyofCommerceandCommunityDevelopment,recognizesandsupportslocalrevitalizationefforts.Statestatutedefines“VillageCenter”as“atraditionalcenterofthecommunity,typicallycomprisedofacohesivecoreofresidential,civic,religious,andcommercialbuildings,arrangedalongamainstreetandintersectingstreets.Industrialusesmaybefoundwithinorimmediatelyadjacenttothesecenters.”

Inadesignatedvillagecenter,buildingowners,lesseesandthemunicipalitymaybeeligibleforthefollowingbenefits:

10%historictaxcreditsareavailableasanadd‐ontoapprovedFederalHistoricTaxCreditprojects.Eligiblecostsincludeinteriorandexteriorimprovements,codecompliance,plumbingandelectricalupgrades.

25%façadeimprovementtaxcreditsareavailableforeligiblefacadeworkupto$25,000. 50%codeimprovementtaxcreditsareavailableforupto$50,000eachforelevatorsand

sprinklersystemsand$12,000forlifts.EligiblecodeworkincludesADAmodifications,electricalorplumbingupto$25,000.

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PriorityconsiderationforMunicipalPlanningGrantsandfundingfromVermont’sCommunityDevelopmentProgram.

PrioritysiteconsiderationbytheStateBuildingandGeneralServices(BGS)whenleasingorconstructingbuildings.

Maycreateaspecialassessmentdistrict(alsoknownasspecialbenefitsdistrictorbusinessimprovementdistrict)toraisefundsforbothoperatingcostsandcapitalexpensestosupportspecificprojectsindowntown.

Astep‐by‐stepguidetotheapplicationprocessforvillagedesignationcanbefoundatthefollowinglink:http://accd.vermont.gov/sites/accd/files/Documents/strongcommunities/cd/designations/130531_Village_Center_Application_Guidelines_Final_web.pdf


1.) PromotethedevelopmentofcommercialusesintheVillage.

Considerincentives,suchasalowinterestloanprogram,thatwillpromotebusinessdevelopmentintheVillage,includingageneralstore.

ConsiderthebenefitsofVillageCenterdesignation.

2.) Encouragethedevelopmentofcommercialenterprisesintownthatthatmakeuseoflocallygrownorharvestedproducts.

3.) Encouragetherecreationalpotentialoflandasadrawforeco‐tourism.

4.) ConsideroptionsofcreatinghikingtrailsandsitesfortentcampingontheBuchananLots;considerthepotentialimpactsoftraildevelopmentandcampingonsurroundingareaandwildlife.

5.) EncouragecoordinationofeffortswiththeNorthwoodsStewardshipCenter’sKingdomCorpsandCraftsburyOutdoorCentertoenhancerecreationalopportunities.

X.FLOODRESILIENCE

FloodingisoneofthemostcommonhazardsintheUnitedStates,causingmoredamagethananyothersevereweather‐relatedevent.Itcanoccurfromtropicalstorms,hurricanes,swollenrivers,heavyrains,tidalsurges,springsnowmelt,leveeordamfailure,localdrainageissuesandwaterdistributionmainbreaks.Impactstodrinkingwaterandwastewaterutilitiescanincludelossofpower,damagetoassetsanddangerousconditionsforpersonnel.Asstormsbecomemorefrequentandintenseandassealevelsrise,floodingwillbeanongoingchallengefordrinkingwaterandwastewaterutilities.

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TheFederalEnvironmentalProtectionAgency,EPA,andotherscholarlyarticlesexplainthat“floodresilience”referstotheabilityofTowns,utilities,andlandownerstowithstandfloodingevents,minimizedamageandrapidlyrecoverfromdisruptionscausedbysuchevents.Itiswiththatinmind,thatAlbanydevelopedTheTownofAlbanyLocalEmergencyOperationsPlan,(LEOP).OurTownLEOPisupdatedyearlybytheEmergencyManagementCoordinator.

Therecommendationsthatdirectedthetowntohelpbuildsuchaplanallincludethefollowingmeasures:

1.) Identifyfloodhazardandfluvialhazardareas

(userivercorridormaps)

2.) Designateareastobeprotectedtoreducetheriskofflooddamagetoinfrastructureandimprovedproperty,including:

a.)floodplainsb.)rivercorridorsc.)landadjacenttostreamsd.)wetlandse.)uplandforests

3.) IdentifyGoalsandPolicies

4.) Implementation–strategiestoprotecttheareasidentifiedanddesignatedaboveandtomitigateriskstothefollowing:

1) publicsafety2) criticalinfrastructure3) historicstructures4) municipalinvestments

5.) Adoptfloodhazardarearegulationstomitigateagainstfuturefloodingandfluvialerosionevents,andtoqualifytheTowntoparticipateintheNationalFloodInsuranceProgram.

6.) Providefloodhazardareaeducationmaterialstosupportflooddamagemitigationandbetterinsurecommunityresidentsandpropertyforfutureflooddamage.

7.) ConsidertheparticipationintheFEMACommunityRatingSystem(CRS)andadiscountonfloodinsurance

8.) UpdatetheEmergencyOperationsPlanandHazardMitigationPlan.

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XI. RegionalCompatibility

A.) RelationshipwithAdjacentCommunities

AlbanyisborderedbyLowellandEdenonthewest,Irasburgonthenorth,Bartononthenortheast,Gloverontheeast,andCraftsburyonthesouthwest.AllofthesetownsarelocatedinOrleansCounty,withtheexceptionofEdenwhichisinLamoilleCounty.TheAlbanyTownPlandoesnotproposeanydevelopmentsorchangesintheuseoflandthatwouldnegativelyimpactadjacentcommunities.

LowellhasaTownPlanthatwasoriginallyadoptedonApril14,2009andre‐adoptedinAugust2014,andazoningbylawadopted2003.OneofthegoalsidentifiedinLowell’sTownPlanistomaintainforrecreationalusethatpartoftheBayley‐HazenMilitaryRoadbetweenLowellandAlbanythatisnolongermaintainedforvehicularuse.TheLowellMountainsarelocatedintheeasternpartofLowellthatbordersAlbany,andarethesiteofthe21windturbinesofKingdomCommunityWind.

EdenhasaTownPlanthatwasadoptedinAprilof2013,buthasnotadoptedzoningregulations.AlbanysharesaverysmallborderwithEden,andAlbanyRoadinEdenconnectstotheTownofAlbanyafterfirstcrossingthroughthesoutheasterncornerofLowell.

IrasburgdoesnothaveanadoptedTownPlanorlanduseregulations,.Butisworkingonone.Route14andCreekRoadconnectAlbanywithIrasburg.TheBlackRiveranditstributaries,sectionsofwhichflownorthfromAlbanytoIrasburg,arealsoanimportantlinkbetweenthetwotowns.TheproposedregulationofRiverCorridorsinAlbanywillbenefitwaterqualityandfloodresiliencedownstreaminIrasburg.

BartonhasaTownPlanthatwasadoptedNovember4,2008,andzoningregulationsadoptedin2006.BartonsharesasmallborderwithAlbany,andEastAlbanyRoadinBartonconnectstoBartonRoadinAlbany.ThelandinAlbanythatbordersBartoniswithintheBartonRiverwatershed.ThelandinthesouthwestcornerofBartonthatisimmediatelyadjacenttoAlbanyiszoned“LowDensity,”andisintendedfornon‐intensiveusesoflandforagriculture,forestryandresidentialdevelopment.

Glover’sTownPlandatesto2006,andwasre‐adoptedin2011.Gloverdoesnothavezoningregulations,althoughitdoeshavefloodregulations.CountyRoadinGlovercrossesintoAlbanyandmeandersalongthetownboundaryuntilitintersectswithHartwellPondRoadinthesoutheastpartofAlbany.

Craftsbury’sTownPlanwasfirstadoptedinMay2011,thenrevisedandadoptedinJune2016.AlthoughCraftsburydoesnothavezoningregulations,ithasadoptedfloodhazardregulations.CraftsburyisconnectedtoAlbanythroughroads,crosscountryskiandbiketrails,andthroughGreatHosmerPondwhichstraddlesthetwotowns.ClosecoordinationwithCraftsburyisnecessarytosuccessfullymaintainandimprovewaterqualityinGreatHosmerPondandtheBlackRiveranditstributaries,andtomaintaintherecreationalresourcesassociatedwiththeCraftsburyOutdoorCenter.

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ThegoalsarticulatedinAlbany’sTownPlanarecompatiblewiththeTownPlansofadjacenttowns.

B.) CompatibilitywithStatePlanningGoalsandRegionalPlan.

WehavestrivedtoarticulatethatthegoalsexpressedineachsectionoftheAlbanyTownPlan,arecompatiblewiththeregionalplanandStateplanninggoals.