News and Events
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.
OCPC's Annual Meeting Coming Soon!
OCPC will be holding its 46th Annual Meeting at the Meadow Brook Restaurant in Hanson, MA on Tuesday, May 14 at 6 PM. Download the Registration Form here!
Notice of Public Review and Comment for the Draft FFY 2013-2016 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) Amendment
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 2013-2016 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) Amendment available for public review and comment. The TIP serves as a prioritized listing of highway, bridge, and transit projects proposed for implementation during four (4) federal fiscal years. Copies of the TIP Amendment are available for review at the OCPC Offices (8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.), on this website (here in PDF format), or upon request. This notice will initiate a Public Review and Comment Period. Comments will be accepted up and until May 28, 2013. This process will also be used as Brockton Area Transit Authority's (BAT) public participation process. Brockton Area Transit Authority, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Section 5307(c) applicant, has consulted with the Old Colony MPO 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 Old Colony MPO is scheduled for May 28, 2013 at 10 AM, at the OCPC offices at 70 School Street, Brockton, MA, to hear public comments and consider endorsement of this Amendment. Please contact Charles Kilmer at 508-583-1833 Extension 206 for more information.
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.
Save the Date! Bay State Bike Week May 11-19
Community groups and bicycling supporters in 2012 hosted more than 150 bicycling events across Massachusetts to celebrate Bay State Bike Week. These diverse, community-based events to show that bicycling can be fun, safe and healthy included organized bike rides, bike breakfasts and even a race to see which mode of transportation can provide the fastest work commute! This year, Bay State Bike Week will take place from Saturday, May 11th thru Sunday, May 19th. For the first time, this celebratory week of bicycle friendly activities will include two weekends to extend the opportunity for even more bicycling events.
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.
