State and regional officials will visit the Rochester School gym Monday, Jan. 30 from 3-6 p.m. to hold a town- meeting style discussion about how they can help local communities re- cover from Tropical Storm Irene.

The local visit is part of the state- wide Community Recovery Partner- ship initiative launched by Gov. Peter Shumlin, and is designed to not only identify local needs but also connect communities with the support and resources they require for both short and long-term recovery. Residents, government officials, and local leaders from the towns of Rochester, Pittsfield, Stockbridge, Hancock, and Granville are all invited to attend.

The discussion will focus on the local response—what worked, what did not, the communities’ current and future needs, capacity to meet those needs and any gaps. Subjects include recovery goals, how best to prepare for the next event, and opportunities re- garding communication, housing, busi- ness, flood plains, river management, infrastructure repair, and more. The issues identified will aid the state as it develops a plan to help communities emerge stronger and more resilient, as well as help Vermonters to thrive in the decades to come.

Recovery needs vary from town to town and from region to region. To best understand these needs, state of- ficials will ask residents to share their views and ideas. The team that will visit Rochester January 30 will include representatives from Vermont’s Agen- cies of Commerce & Community De- velopment, Human Services, Natural Resources, Transportation, and Ver- mont Emergency Management. The meeting will also include officials from the Two Rivers-Ottauquechee Regional Commission and the Green Mountain Economic Development Corporation.

The recovery partnership team will conclude its statewide visits in Febru- ary, and then summarize their results. State and regional agencies will then help match local needs with existing services in the short term, while creat- ing a long-term recovery plan that will support local rebuilding efforts.

For more information about the state’s Community Recovery Partner- ship contact Chris Cochran at 802-828- 3047.