May 16, 2017: Complete Streets and Annual Work Plan
This meeting included a presentation by MassDOT on the Complete Streets program, developing the FY18 workplan, and nominating members to the Chair and Vice-Chair positions.

April 18, 2017: MAPC's Local Access Score Tool
This meeting focused on the development and use of MAPC's Data Services Department new Local Access Score tool, which aims to help communities determine the projected use of new sidewalks. n addition to hearing a presentation by Eliza Wallace from MAPC about the Local Access Score tool, the group also heard from a local nonprofit based in Sharon, The Law, Your Money, and You, about its efforts to encourage better relations between the police and public. Eliza's  Local Access Score presentation and meeting agenda can be downloaded here.

March 29, 2017: Vision Zero
This meeting focused on Vision Zero, a multi-national road traffic safety project which aims to achieve a highway system with no fatalities or serious injuries in road traffic. In addition to hearing a presentation by Barry Keppard from MAPC about ongoing Vision Zero initiatives in Massachusetts, the group discussed traffic safety strategies TRIC communities could use to fight traffic fatalities and serious accidents. Copies of the Vision Zero presentation and meeting agenda can be downloaded here.

February 21, 2017: Arts & Cultural Planning
This meeting focused on Arts and Cultural planning, with a presentation by Jenn Erickson from MAPC. In addition to discussing what Arts and Cultural planning is and how it can benefit our communities, the group learned about MAPCs new Arts and Planning Toolkit, which presents a new framework for understanding the ways in which arts and culture can infuse innovation and creativity into our communities and showcases a range of arts and culture planning and policy tools and approaches. Additionally, the group recieved an update from the Town of Foxborough and the Neponset Valley TMA on the proposed Foxborough Commuter Rail Pilot program.

The toolkit can be found online at: artsandplanning.org. The meeting Agenda, Jenn's Arts & Culture Planning presentation, and information on the Foxborough Commuter Rail Pilot program can be found here.

• Serving as grant recipient for Massachusetts' four homeland security regions, managing grants from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security;
• Operating a collective procurement program that contracts on behalf of its communities for public safety, fire, public works, highway, bicycle, and energy related equipment as well as public services; and
• Facilitating collaborative projects between multiple municipalities as well as municipal efficiency projects. This work includes creating regional coalitions, helping communities contract for or provide services to one another, conducting community services and facilities analyses, and working with communities to create strategic plans.

We also heard from Amanda Chisholm, Chief Economic Development Planner at MAPC, who discussed current economic indicators for the TRIC region and MAPC's regional economic development work. This work includes:

• Market analysis (commercial, office, residential)
• Comprehensive economic development strategy/planning
• Transportation oriented development (TOD) planning
• Corridor planning
• Zoning to encourance economic development (mixed use, TOD, 40R, etc.)
• Priority development site identification
• Master planning

A link to Amanda's presentation can be found here. Please let me know if you have any municipal collaboration or economic development project ideas you might like to discuss!