IMPORTANT NOTICE:
KVCOG experienced an email outage
the afternoon of Tuesday, March 26th through the morning of Wednesday, March 27th.
Anyone who sent an email to any staff member would have received an "undeliverable" message.
We are unable to retrieve any of those emails, so we ask that you please re-send those emails to us. We apologize for the inconvenience this may have called.
As a reminder, you can always call our office phone numbers 207-453-4258
and we will return calls as promptly as possible.
KVCOG Names Joel Greenwood
As New Executive Director
Fairfield, ME: The Kennebec Valley Council of Governments (KVCOG) is pleased to announce that its Board of Directors has appointed Joel Greenwood as Executive Director.
Eric Dyer, KVCOG Board of Director’s President and Town Manager of Readfield announced “We are excited for the opportunity to bring one of our most talented and experienced employees into the Executive Director role on a permanent basis. Joel is already well known to our membership and fully aware of KVCOG operations and services, which will result in a near seamless transition for the organization.” Dyer added, "In his new position Joel’s expertise as a planner will strengthen KVCOG’s essential role in supporting regional and local planning initiatives and provide deliberate and thoughtful leadership.”
“I am very happy to be able to step up on a permanent basis to lead KVCOG as its next Executive Director. My long tenure and experience in the organization will make the transition as smooth and quick as possible. I’m grateful to continue working with the exceptional team at KVCOG that provides high-quality and valuable services to the municipalities of the Kennebec Valley” said Greenwood. “As an organization, KVCOG will continue to look for new ways to assist communities across the region.
Joel Greenwood
KVCOG Executive Director
Greenwood succeeds Matthew Underwood, who tendered his resignation to the Board of Directors in late January. Joel has been with KVCOG since 2011 and has had more than 20 years of experience in non-profit work, redevelopment, economic development in rural communities and all aspects of rural and urban planning. His years of experience in all aspects of KVCOG’s operations, existing relationships with its members and as an admired mentor and leader to the KVCOG team translates to a bright future for KVCOG and its member municipalities.
LD 2003 Municipal Outreach Session
April 10th at 10am
Register here for an in person (or remote) LD 2003 Municipal Outreach Session with the State of Maine - Department of Economic and Community Development Housing Opportunity Program team! They will be in person at KVCOG to give an LD 2003 "101" presentation and answer any questions you may have. Whether you are just beginning this work or you are knee deep in it...this session will be informative for you and your community. Don't miss out on this informative event!
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IMPORTANT LD 2003 INFORMATION
Although our entire team has been diligently working with our municipalities to bring them into compliance with the LD 2003 ruling, we cover 62 towns in our region and have been unable to get to everyone under the deadline set by the State. This is a very unusual circumstance we (and our partnering COG’s around the state) find ourselves in, since this ruling required revisions to ordinances/regulations in nearly every town, all with the same deadline. The State did not take into consideration that many rural municipalities do not have staff to perform this update and would rely on their Regional COG or other Planning Agency. Thus, creating the backlog.
As we get closer to the State-imposed deadline for adopting provisions for compliance with LD 2003 (P.L. 2021, ch. 672), we realize that many communities will not have their ordinance updated in time for adoption at their respective town meetings. We are doing our best to get to these updates; unfortunately, the State has not allotted much time between providing ruling and the implementation deadline.
It is imperative to understand there will not be any penalization for those who do not get their ordinances amended in time for town meeting, and thus meet the State deadline.
If your community does not meet the deadline for LD 2003, the following will take place:
An example of what will be mandatory regardless of a timely ordinance update, is the requirement to allow an Accessory Dwelling Unit on any lot where a single-family dwelling unit is the primary structure.
We realize hosting a special town meeting to adopt ordinance revisions is rather pricey. The State currently has a funding available which may defray the cost of this. Funding is through the initial Municipal Payment Program. Information on that funding can be found using the following link:
KVCOG appreciates every opportunity to work with your community and we appreciate your continued support. We strives to provide the most comprehensive services, at reasonable prices and in a timely manner. Please understand that we are doing everything we can to meet the needs of all the communities in our region.
All funded projects must prioritize the above outcomes, but may have additional goals such as supporting climate, transportation, diversity, and broadband initiatives.
Municipalities may request funding for multiple projects.
All funded municipalities will be required to provide semiannual updates and project deliverables.
A municipality, as defined, is eligible for an award of up to $50,000. The minimum award for a municipality is $10,000. Two municipalities applying jointly are eligible for an award up to $125,000 and three or more municipalities applying together are eligible for an award of up to $175,000.
Grant deadline is March 7, 2024 at 11:59 p.m.
The full RFA grant package can be found here.
For any questions about this or any other related ordinance/land-use related questions,
please reach out to Jessica Cobb, Community Planner at >
Kennebec Valley Council of Governments (KVCOG) has sent out "save the dates" to members of its region's municipalities to provide education and informative information on three hot topics to be announced!
Last years Planning Day included: sustainable waste management solutions to create proactive solutions to the pending closure of the Hatch Hill Facility located in Augusta, the implementation of the new housing law, known as LD 2003, and PFAS updates.
In the first session, KVCOG invited ecomaine, Casella, Apparel Impact, and the Department of Environmental Protection to present on waste management solutions, services they offer to municipalities, and how to provide community support.
ecomaine's Presentation Slides
Apparel Impact's Presentation Slides
Department of Environmental Protection's Presentation Slides
In the second session, KVCOG invited Natalie Burns, Jensen Baird Attorney, to present on consequences on municipal zoning, home rule, and affordable housing initiatives, statewide housing production goals, and increasing housing opportunities, along with two of the housing coordinators from MDECD to provide insight into the implementation of LD 2003.
Phillip Saucier & Natalie Burn's Presentation Slides
In the third session, KVCOG invited Tracy Kelley, PFAS and Emerging Contaminants Public Service Coordinator, from the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to present on Maine's statewide PFAS evaluation/investigation and tools that the DEP has to offer to the public.
Tracy Kelley's Presentation Slides
It's time to plan your visit to the Kennebec Valley! Thanks to the Kennebec Valley Explorer/Visit Kennebec Valley for producing this amazing video. See more of this content and plan your trip to the Kennebec Valley on their website.
Kennebec Valley Council of Governments (KVCOG) is a private, non-profit organization established in 1967. KVCOG is a membership organization and is owned and operated for the benefit of its members. The Council of Governments is enabled by state statue. The office is located in Fairfield, Maine and serves Kennebec, Somerset and western Waldo Counties.
KVCOG provides a coordinated approach for planning and economic development at the local and regional level. KVCOG has been a leader in economic development, environmental, land use and transportation planning with a wide array of professional talent among staff for the past 50 years.
The Kennebec Valley region is connected by the Kennebec River. It covers 62 municipalities, several unorganized territories and 5,251 square miles with a population of approximately 182,000. It includes the state capital of Augusta as well as other cities including Waterville, Gardiner and Hallowell and many rural towns. Municipal population ranges from 42 to 18,972.