SE Group is particularly proud to share these awards with the Town of Chester. Through the efforts of the project’s steering committee and municipal staff, the Town worked diligently to assure the development of a plan that recognized the important historic character of this quintessential Vermont village and emphasized the value of bringing the community together.

This plan has set a new bar for implementation. From the onset, a major focus of SE Group’s efforts was to identify specific and actionable initiatives that advanced the broad vision the Master Plan and supported momentum. In just the past few months the Town has moved forward with signage and wayfinding efforts, is reviewing its land use code to better support historic resources, and is developing a new pocket park. The Town has also recently secured a Transportation Assistance Program grant to design and implement a new pedestrian connection between the Chester Depot and Main Street. Each of these initiatives was fostered in the Master Plan.

Chester is on the move and SE Group couldn’t be more excited for this terrific community!

Learn more about the plan by visiting the portfolio page.

Preparing for Change: Planning for an Unknown Future

With changing expectations and evolving demands on facilities and infrastructure, areas are spending valuable capital on building to meet a future demand that may not have even been thought of yet. Gone are the days of being able to build or plan for a single purpose. That new bike trail? How will it impact the ski run expansion into that area? That new kiosk at the bottom of Lift 4? Will the power and water be sufficient when that changes from a pre-made, grab-and-go spot to a hot dog stand and then a curry shop? Can that kid’s ski school expansion become a yoga studio during the summer months? Taking the time during the planning process to consider different scenarios and future needs can save you valuable resources when the unexpected demands of fickle customers force you to evolve.

Contact Claire or John to learn more about the presentation, or to connect with them at the event.

SE Group President, Kent Sharp participated in the Region 5 (Pacific Southwest) Roundtable, while Travis Beck, Director of Environmental Services, participated in the Roundtables held in Region 2 (Rocky Mountain), Region 3 (Southwestern), and Region 4 (Intermountain).

Roundtable topics included:

*   Forest Service introspective assessment of how the agency conducts NEPA, what is working and what is not
*   Getting back to the basics
*   NEPA process timelines
*   Opportunities for improvement
*   Agency culture and leadership

Summary reports, along with more on this discussion, are currently available online for Regions 1, 2, 3, 6, 8, 9, 10 and Washington, and can be found at: https://www.nationalforests.org/collaboration-resources/environmental-analysis-and-decision-making-roundtables.

Please contact Travis should you wish to explore how we can apply our expertise to your project.

Rochester/Randolph Area Sports Trail Alliance (RASTA) is a member of the Vermont Backcountry Alliance (VTBC)—a program of the Catamount Trail Association and a growing voice for Vermont’s evolving backcountry skiing and riding community. The Vermont Backcountry Alliance recently held the fifth annual Backcountry Forum in Rochester, VT. 

The following clip shows RASTA organizers and volunteers hard at work at Brandon Gap, and features highlights from the Backcountry Forum, of which SE Group was a sponsor. Additionally, our own Tom Hand and Drew Pollak-Bruce were in attendance to present some of the metrics and data out of last years trail counts on the CTA.  The presentation stirred up a lot of interest from the public, as well as partners.  SE Group is excited to be working to develop this recreational resource with such a passionate community. 

SE Group has been working with Mount Spokane since 2006 to develop an action plan to expand their operations. This project exemplifies the power of collaboration and teamwork to identify solutions when navigating a variety of interests and stakeholders. In the following clip Brad McQuarrie, General Manager of Mount Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park, speaks about exciting improvements to the ski area and how SE Group’s long-term collaboration was instrumental in developing the vision, framework, and plan to bring these objectives to fruition.

SE Group’s Tom Hand and Drew Pollak-Bruce continue the ongoing collaboration with the CTA setting counters on Section 22 of the trail between Bolton Valley Resort and Trapp Family Lodge. This is a heavily used section of trail that also leads to several nice backcountry ski zones. We placed counters above the trailheads at each end, as well as at the trail midpoint. We are looking forward to seeing the usage numbers in the spring!

Associate Planner, Drew Pollak-Bruce recently spoke on Across the Fence, the longest running daily farm and home show in the country, about the Vermont Town Forest Project. SE Group is consulting with 10 communities to support the development of town forest recreation and stewardship plans. As part of The Vermont Urban & Community Forestry Program—a joint initiative of Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation (FPR) and UVM Extension—The Vermont Town Forest Recreation Planning Community Assistance Program provides technical community planning assistance of a value of up to $10,000 per town.  This program assists Vermont communities interested in addressing issues and opportunities in the use and stewardship of their town forest, town forest recreation, and stewardship plans. Towns across the state of Vermont have applied to participate in the program and initial “summits” are slated to begin this month.

Watch and learn more!

This project is one of five receiving this award from the American Public Works Association (APWA). The APWA Public Works Projects of the Year awards are presented annually to promote excellence in the management and administration of public works projects by recognizing the alliance between the managing agency, the consultant, and the contractor, who, working together, complete public works projects.

After the complex was damaged as a result of flooding from Tropical Storm Irene, the redesign and restoration efforts focused on reducing flood risk, restoring public space, and celebrating the historic qualities of the campus.

The project team, which includes the State of Vermont, PC Construction, Freeman French Freeman, Goody Clancy Architects, and SE Group, will collectively be presented the award in late August.