PRESS RELEASE: Connecticut Congressional Delegation & Governor Lamont Announce More than $21.8 Million For Transportation Projects

Click here to access the press release from the Connecticut Department of Transportation

Published on 03/13/2024

[HARTFORD, CT] – Today, U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Chris Murphy (D-CT) and U.S. Representatives John B. Larson (D-CT), Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), Jim Himes (D-CT), and Jahana Hayes (D-CT) joined Governor Ned Lamont and CTDOT Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto to announce $21.8 million in federal funding for pedestrian and road safety projects in Connecticut.

The federal funding comes from the Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the Neighborhood Access and Equity Program through the Inflation Reduction Act, and will fund projects in Norwalk, Stamford, Bridgeport, Hartford, Naugatuck and Western Connecticut. 

“This unprecedented investment will make Connecticut’s roadways safer for all and reconnect communities that have long been disconnected and divided by highways. With this $21.8 million in federal funding, Connecticut communities will transform road and pedestrian safety, and make access to reliable transportation easier for all, said Sen. Richard Blumenthal.

“The way that many Connecticut cities are designed has cut neighborhoods off from each other. This almost $22 million will support projects across the state to improve road safety for pedestrians and bicyclists, make public transit more accessible to everyone, and reconnect neighborhoods. Projects like these have impacts far beyond transportation – they create good-paying jobs and revitalize our downtowns, and I’m glad to see the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law continue to pay dividends,” said Murphy.

“As Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Committee, I am committed to ensuring our investments deliver for the American people,” said Congresswoman DeLauro. “The funding provided to local transit projects in Connecticut will go a long way to rebuilding our crumbling roads, sidewalks, rail infrastructure, and more.”

“Too many communities across the Fifth District and Connecticut are disconnected due to poor transportation options, forcing residents to travel long distances to seek basic needs like health care and education. It is great to see nearly $22 million of federal funding being invested into bridging these gaps and connecting more communities. Improved transit access not only sparks economic development but makes our neighborhoods more equitable for all,” said Congresswoman Hayes.

“The Connecticut delegation fought for the inclusion of the “Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program” in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to end the isolation caused by the construction of I-84 and I-91, particularly in Hartford and East Hartford,” said Congressman Larson. This grant will advance efforts to reclaim the riverfront, reconnect Hartford’s North End with the rest of the city, and promote multimodal transit. Notably, this project brings us closer to achieving the longstanding goal of recapturing the riverfront in Hartford. Burying I-91 from the Founders Bridge to Dillon Stadium will unlock direct access to the Connecticut River and create new pedestrian and bicycle routes for communities on both sides of the river. I commend Governor Lamont and the Connecticut Department of Transportation and I look forward to working with them to fix the Hartford region’s past planning mistakes and move the interests of the community forward.” 

“I am thrilled to see federal funds help connect our communities and make our thoroughfares safer and more accessible so that commuters can get to work, children to school, and families to visit relatives a town over with ease and peace of mind. As an avid biker myself, I understand the importance of dedicated infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists so that every member of our community can easily traverse our cities and enjoy Southwest Connecticut’s vibrant natural spaces and bustling commercial areas,” Congressman Himes said.

“These federal funds are going to increase safety and mobility throughout Connecticut. Much of our state’s infrastructure was designed and built for cars and cut off communities from one another. By refocusing on pedestrians and bicyclists, the state can have roadways that work for everyone. Thank you to President Biden, Secretary Buttigieg, and our entire federal delegation for providing these funds that improve safety and reconnect communities,” said Governor Lamont.

“The Greater Hartford Mobility Study is a generational investment that will improve safety, reduce congestion, reconnect the city and provide greater access to the riverfront and open space. From redesigned highways to improved local roads and new public transportation services and additional bicyclist and pedestrian amenities, the Greater Hartford Mobility Study is a transformational project that benefits all roadway users,” said Commissioner Eucalitto.

More information on the projects that received funding can be found below:

  • $17 million for the city of Stamford for the West Side Neighborhood Connector Project.

This project will fund a 12-foot-wide neighborhood greenway to connect residents of the West Side neighborhood past I-95 to the Metro-North Railroad Line, and the South State Street area to Downtown Stamford and the South End neighborhoods.

  • $600,000 for MetroCOG for Bringing Resilient, Interconnected Development to the East End of Bridgeport.

This community planning grant will analyze the Interstate 95 (Exit 29), Seaview Avenue, Stratford Avenue and Connecticut Avenue intersection in the East End of Bridgeport, Connecticut. The study will evaluate current and future uses and provide a forum for robust public engagement to better align the transportation infrastructure with the goals and needs of the East End and the City of Bridgeport.

  • $600,000 for the Norwalk Redevelopment Agency for the MLK Community Reconnection Project.

This project will build on the work of the Norwalk Redevelopment Agency for the MLK Community Reconnection Project to improve pedestrian safety and remediate safety risks posed by I-95 and the care centric corridor it created.

  • $2 million for CTDOT for the Greater Hartford Mobility Study (GHMS): River Gateway.

Hartford/East Hartford has four distinct components that will strengthen the City of Hartford’s connections to the Connecticut River, East Hartford, and reconnect the Downtown to the surrounding neighborhoods which have had limited access due to the barrier created by Interstate I-91 in the mid-20th century. The Project includes the capping of I-91 from the Founders Bridge to Dillon Stadium and the creation of a surface boulevard, redesigning Whitehead Highway as an urban boulevard from Pulaski Circle to the west and the riverfront to the east and creating a new local bridge over the Connecticut River with bicycle and pedestrian amenities between the Whitehead Highway and Riverfront Boulevard to East River Drive in East Hartford. The creation of the region’s highway system, including I-91, disconnected neighborhoods from each other and resources in Hartford and East Hartford, which directly impacts residents’ income and overall health.

  • $652,800 for the Borough of Naugatuck for the Eastside-Westside Connectivity and Rail Mitigation Planning Project.

Project will provide planning funding to enable construction of a pedestrian connection, linking the Borough of Naugatuck’s Metro North Rail Line and the downtown core in the west with the Naugatuck River Greenway Trail and State Route Highway 8 in the east. The east and west sides are currently disconnected by the Metro North Rail Line and the Naugatuck River, with affordable and market rate housing developments taking shape on either side of the river.

  • $1 million for WestCOG for the Western Connecticut Regional Transit Study.

Southwestern Connecticut is served by three transit agencies providing fixed route, paratransit and other bus services to one of three cities and surrounding areas in the region. These funds will be used to study barriers to using transit systems and provide solutions that ensure efficiency and affordability.

Latest News: Coe Pond Dam Issue Gains Traction in Media Coverage

The pressing concern surrounding the condition of the Coe Pond Dam on the Kinneytown property has garnered significant attention from various news outlets. Multiple media sources have reported on the findings of the recent inspection report, emphasizing the potential risks to public safety and infrastructure posed by the dam’s deficiencies. Read the original press release published by the NVCOG on March 11, 2024. 

Stay Updated

Click the article titles below from news sources covering the issue. 

PRESS RELEASE: Dam on Kinneytown Property at Risk of Breach

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 11, 2024

Contact:
Rick Dunne
Executive Director
Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments
203-757-0535
rdunne@nvcogct.gov

Aaron Budris
Director of Environmental Planning
Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments
203-489-0362
abudris@nvcogct.gov

Dam on Kinneytown Property at Risk of Breach

ANSONIA, CT – As part of the Kinneytown Dam Removal Project, the Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments (NVCOG) received an inspection report last week that determined a secondary dam on the property is in poor condition. The report has identified deficiencies at the Coe Pond Dam that, if not addressed, pose an immediate threat to public safety with the potential for loss of human life and property damage.

Kinneytown Dam, currently owned by Kinneytown Hydro Inc., is a federally regulated hydroelectric facility on the Naugatuck River consisting of two dams with non-functioning powerhouses in Seymour and Ansonia, CT. The NVCOG, representing 19 municipalities in west-central Connecticut, has been working with a coalition of partners to acquire and remove the non-operational Dam. Their goal in pursuing this project is to restore the river to its natural course, restore migratory fish passage, eliminate dam safety concerns, reduce up and down-stream flood risk, improve water quality, restore natural sediment flows, and restore access to the Naugatuck River for residents and visitors.

In 2023, NVCOG received a $15 million grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) through the Restoring Fish Passage through Barrier Removal Funding Opportunity under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to fund a project to acquire and remove Kinneytown Dam. NVCOG is now working to acquire the Kinneytown Dam facility, through the Connecticut Brownfield Land Bank, Inc. (CTBLB), conduct necessary decommissioning, engineering, and design, and ultimately remove the dam. 

As part of the due diligence related to the acquisition of the facility by the CTBLB, it was discovered during field investigation that Coe Pond Dam was in poor condition.  If Coe Pond Dam were to fail, it would threaten the safety of the adjacent Metro North Waterbury Branch commuter rail line.  NVCOG notified relevant agencies of the concern in 2023 and commissioned an independent safety inspection to assess the condition and safety risk of Coe Pond Dam.

Findings

An inspection of Coe Pond Dam was conducted by Gomez and Sullivan Engineers and an inspection report was provided to NVCOG on March 6, 2024.  The report details numerous deficiencies in the condition of Coe Pond Dam and explains that any one of them could lead to a breach of the dam at any time.  A breach would inundate and damage the adjacent commuter rail line with the potential for loss of human life and property. The report recommends the water level in Coe Pond be lowered as soon as possible to reduce the risk of dam failure. 

The report states in no uncertain terms that Coe Pond Dam is an imminent public safety threat and calls into doubt its structural integrity. Detailed inspection revealed deficiencies including significant vegetative growth on the dam, beaver activity, erosion and undermining, and evidence of overtopping. Lack of instrumentation to monitor water levels means there is no ability to provide warning ahead of a breach event or notify the railroad and utilities. The report argues that although the dam is currently classified as having significant hazard potential, it should be reassigned as high hazard.

Next Steps

The NVCOG has notified the owner of the dam facility, Kinneytown Hydro Inc., of the need to immediately mitigate this threat to public safety. Because the CTBLB has not yet acquired the property, NVCOG does not have the ability to act on the report’s recommendation of lowering the water level. NVCOG has also notified the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CT DEEP) which has emergency authority to safeguard the public by taking immediate action, as it did with the Fitchville Pond Dam in January.

Furthermore, the findings in this report have delayed the Kinneytown Dam Removal Project, as the entity slated to acquire the property – the Connecticut Brownfield Land Bank, Inc. (CTBLB) – is unable to do so unless this public safety threat is first addressed. Removing this threat is critical to the CTBLB’s continuing intent to acquire the Kinneytown Project for the purpose of removing the dam and restoring the Naugatuck River. 

The CTBLB and NVCOG intend to work with the dam owner, DEEP, DOT, FERC and its other agency partners to mitigate this immediate threat to public safety.

The dam safety inspection report is available on the NVCOG website: https://nvcogct.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Coe-Pond-Report.pdf

Additional Information

Coe Pond Dam is a nearly 3,000-foot earthen dam impounding Coe Pond, part of a canal and reservoir system that once delivered water from above Kinneytown Dam to a powerhouse at the southern end of Coe Pond in Ansonia.  The dam was constructed around 1845.

Kinneytown Dam Removal Project Partners include NVCOG, CTBLB, Save the Sound, the Naugatuck River Revival Group, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CTDEEP).

Links to additional resources:

NVCOG Interactive Story Map
NVCOG Flickr account for photos/video

PRESS RELEASE: CTDOT Launches New Active Transportation Microgrant Program

Click here to access the press release from the Connecticut Department of Transportation

Published on 03/01/2024

CTDOT Launches New Active Transportation Microgrant Program

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) today announced the creation of a new state-funded Active Transportation Microgrant Program. CTDOT has allocated $500,000 in microgrants to be distributed across Connecticut through this new program.

The Active Transportation Microgrant Program is a non-infrastructure initiative to provide eligible organizations with up to $5,000 in funding for resources that advance safe, accessible, sustainable, and equitable walking, biking and rolling in Connecticut, including to and from schools. This program works in conjunction with the CTDOT’s Safe Routes to School Program and will be administered by regional Councils of Governments (COGs).

Schools, school districts, municipalities and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations are eligible to apply. Eligible items include:

  • Bicycle helmets
  • Bicycle locks
  • Bicycle fleets, including adaptive bikes
  • Safety vests
  • Bicycle maintenance training and materials
  • League Cycling Instructors training
  • Programs, events, and materials for bicycle and pedestrian safety education

“This new grant program provides funding that will improve safety and mobility for some of our most vulnerable roadway users. Whether someone is walking, riding, or rolling, having additional materials, equipment, and training will help them stay safe,” said Connecticut Department of Transportation Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto. “Thank you to the CTDOT team for putting this program together, and to the Councils of Governments who have partnered with us to administer this new program.”

Organizations are limited to receiving two grants in a 12-month period. Applications will be accepted, and funding distributed by the COGs, on a quarterly basis until all funds in the program are utilized. The first grants are expected to be awarded this spring.

Organizations that receive grants must utilize the funds for eligible items within one calendar year. The funding limits for this solicitation are up to $5,000 for each grant awarded. Organizations must apply through their COG representative.

For more information on the Active Transportation Microgrant Program, including application guidelines and materials, visit ct.gov/SafeRoutes.

FOR MEDIA INQUIRIES:
OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS
860-594-3062
CTDOTMedia@ct.gov

Twitter: @CTDOTOfficial
Facebook: Connecticut Department of Transportation

PRESS RELEASE: SCRCOG Announces Final Priority Climate Action Plan

Click here to access the press release from the South Central Regional Council of Governments.

The final Priority Climate Action Plan (PCAP) has been released for New Haven County as part of the national Climate Pollution Reduction Grant program (CPRG). The planning document is accessible at https://www.cprgct.org/ and on https://scrcog.org/regional-climate-action-plans-for-new-haven-county/ 

The goal of the CPRG program is to help states, regions, and tribes plan for and implement actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It is funded through the Inflation Reduction Act and administered by the U.S. EPA.

Earlier this year, the South Central Regional Council of Governments (SCRCOG), with support from the Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments (NVCOG), received one million dollars in a noncompetitive planning grant through the CPRG. Their planning area encompasses the entirely of New Haven County, which covers 27 municipalities from New Haven in the south to Waterbury in the north.

In order to execute the first deliverable of the PCAP, SCRCOG hired UMass Amherst’s Regional Planning Studio and NARSLAB. Throughout the summer and fall, SCRCOG, NVCOG, and UMass developed the PCAP with considerable input from the community. Engagement efforts included tabling at farmers markets and a housing expo, holding hybrid meetings with interactive polling, and maintaining a dynamic website with information and resources. To see a full list of the public engagement activities conducted during the PCAP development process, please visit https://www.cprgct.org/community-engagement. 

The PCAP strives to cover the foundational elements of a climate plan while incorporating perspectives from the community and centering environmental justice.  The plan includes:

  • An inventory of greenhouse gas emissions in New Haven County by sector (transportation, buildings, electricity, industry, and waste).
  • An examination of the low-income and disadvantaged communities within the region, including benefits to these areas as a result of climate action.
  • A list of potential mitigation strategies, ranked for both emissions reduction potential and co-benefits such as workforce development and air pollution reduction.
  • A communications and outreach toolkit to be implemented during the next grant deliverable: the Comprehensive Climate Action Plan (CCAP).

SCRCOG and NVCOG will soon begin the development process for the next deliverable in this grant program — the CCAP. Please subscribe to our email list on CPRGCT.org or to the SCRCOG newsletter to stay up to date on the CCAP development process.

For more information:

Stephanie Camp, Regional Planner

smcamp@scrcog.org 

Informational Session to Discuss Community Liaisons Openings for Kinneytown Dam Removal Project

The Kinneytown Dam Removal Project Team is hiring Community Liaisons! The application deadline is March 29, 2024.

The NVCOG and Save the Sound are hosting an informational session for community members to learn about our current community liaison openings. The event will be held virtually on Microsoft Teams on Tuesday, March 12, 2024 from 6 pm – 7pm.

Register for the event by clicking the link at https://tinyurl.com/KinneytownInfoSession.

¡El equipo del proyecto de Eliminación de la Presa de Kinneytown está contratando enlaces comunitarios! La fecha límite de solicitud es el 29 de marzo de 2024.

El NVCOG y Save the Sound están organizando una sesión informativa para que los miembros de la comunidad conozcan nuestros puestos abiertos de enlace comunitario. El evento se llevará a cabo virtualmente en Microsoft Teams el martes 12 de marzo de 2024 de 6 p. m. a 7 p. m.

Regístrese para el evento haciendo clic en el enlace en https://tinyurl.com/KinneytownInfoSession.

The FTA Section 5310 Grant Application is open!

Section 5310 applications are now available on the state of Connecticut’s contracting portal, CTsource. The Section 5310 program provides Federal funding for capital and operating expenses to improve mobility for seniors and individuals with disabilities.
 

For the 2023 application cycle, The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) will fund viable Traditional vehicle projects selected for award at 80% federal share, with 20% local match requirement, per the language in the budget.

CTDOT will also attempt to fund viable Nontraditional projects selected for award at 50% or 80% federal share, as funding permits and per the language in the budget pages.

Eligible Applicants

  • Private nonprofit organizations
  • State or local government authorities
  • Operators of public transportation

Application types

  • Traditional Section 5310
  • Capital Nontraditional Section 5310 Capital
  • Section 5310 Operating

Traditional Capital

  • A Public Notice must be published in a major newspaper in the proposed service area by Friday, March 22, 2024
  • Emails or letters notifying transportation operators of the Public Notice must be sent one week prior to the publish date
  • The useful life requirement for replacement vehicles is 4 years or 100,000 miles for a mini-van and 5 years or 150,000 miles for a mini-bus or bus

Deadline

  • Applications are due no later than 4:00 PM on Tuesday, April 2, 2024. 

Submit

Questions

Resources

Municipal Land Use Best Practice: Seymour’s “First Step” Zoning and Building Compliance Application Form

The quarterly “Municipal Land Use Best Practice” spotlight, curated by the NVCOG Community Planning staff, is dedicated to showcasing municipal best practices. Designed to serve as a valuable resource for land use staff and Commissioners, each edition features an exemplary initiative from a municipality in the Naugatuck Valley region. 

Written by Molly Johnson, Community Planner

Keith Rosenfeld, Regional Municipal Planner for Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments and Shared Services Town Planner for the Town of Seymour, shared how Seymour has worked to streamline its permit application process to support interdepartmental coordination and transparency with applicants. For this reason, staff developed a “First Step” Zoning and Building Compliance Application Form for applicants to fill out and implement communication with town departments. The form prevents unnecessary trips to Town Hall for the applicant by listing out the process with an order of approval. It also prevents the potential for oversights in the decision-making process to ensure that the appropriate personnel are aware of projects taking place in the community.  

The form is attached to each application to help track its approval process in a single convenient location. It features relevant phone numbers, with places for signatures and dates. It has simple and clear directions for applicants to follow.  

Seymour’s “First Step” Zoning and Building Compliance Application Form is an example of a practical method for creating an efficient, organized, and effective application process at the municipal level. Readers can access the form below.  

Stay Connected 

Contact the Town of Seymour Staff, located at 1 First Street. Seymour, CT 06483.  Telephone: (203) 881-5008.  

Keith Rosenfeld, Town Planner, the Town of Seymour, krosenfeld@seymourct.org 

Learn more about Seymour on the town’s official website. 

Explore a range of valuable resources and NVCOG projects on the Seymour NVCOG web page. 

PRESS RELEASE: Public Meeting on Transportation Project Prioritization for The Central Naugatuck Valley

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 1, 2024 

Contact:
Desira Blanchard
Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments
203-489-0353
dblanchard@nvcogct.gov

Public Meeting on Transportation Project Prioritization for The Central Naugatuck Valley 

(Waterbury, CT) – The Central Naugatuck Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization (CNVMPO) invites the public to attend a hybrid public meeting to provide comments on the draft FY 2025 – 2028 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), the draft Air Quality Conformity Determination for the TIP and the Connecticut Department of Transportation’s draft FY 2025 – 2028 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP). The meeting will take place on Thursday, March 7, 2024, at the NVCOG Offices (49 Leavenworth Street, 3rd floor, Waterbury, CT) from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. A Zoom option is available at https://bit.ly/3ORIPzT 

The CNVMPO prepares and maintains the TIP which outlines the region’s transportation priorities and projects, to be funded by federal and state funds, for the next four years. It includes a list of proposed transportation projects, such as roadway, transit, bicycle, and pedestrian improvements. The public meeting will provide an opportunity for community members, stakeholders, and decision-makers to learn about the proposed projects in the TIP and provide feedback on the prioritization and funding of these projects.  

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) has developed a draft STIP covering all areas of the state. The STIP lists all federally funded transportation improvements, by federal funding category and by region, which are scheduled to occur over the same four-year period. 

A copy of both draft documents will be available for review at https://nvcogct.gov/project/25-28tip/ during a public comment period between March 1, 2024, and April 19, 2024. Written comments may be submitted via email to contactus@nvcogct.gov or mailed to Richard Donovan, Transportation Planning Director, at the Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments, 49 Leavenworth Street, 3rd Floor, Waterbury, Connecticut 06702.  

Individuals with limited internet access can listen to the meeting by calling +1 929 205 6099 and entering the meeting ID when prompted: 822 7242 6344. A recording of the presentation will be posted to the NVCOG YouTube Channel following the event and closed captioning (including non-English translation options) will be available at that time.    

Language assistance is available to the public at no cost. For language assistance requests contact Desira Blanchard, Communications and Community Engagement Coordinator with the Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments, at dblanchard@nvcogct.gov or at 203-757-0535. Requests should be made at least 5 business days prior to the meeting.   

People Behind the Plans: Meet NVCOG Community Planner, Emely Ricci

Driven by a passion for sustainable development and community-driven approaches, Emely Ricci is a dedicated Community Planner at the NVCOG. Emely grew up in Shelton, CT, and is a 2023 graduate of UConn’s Master’s in Public Administration program. She brings her expertise to lead various initiatives from open space inventory research to expanding education materials on accessibility in planning. Read on for a glimpse into Emely’s background and commitment to creating positive change in the region.  

A Conversation with Emely Ricci

Written by Molly Johnson, Community Planner
Q: What inspired you to pursue a career in planning, and how did you end up working at the NVCOG? 

I have always been committed to the environment and ensuring diverse voices have a seat at the table. Initially, I saw myself originally working at the State level for an organization such as DEEP.  However, my MPA program taught me about the various ways I could engage in this work, including urban planning. It was then that I saw the planning field as a potential career path. I found that regional planning connects the local level to the state level on a range of issues, providing a way to integrate research and give back to the community.  

Interestingly, Savannah-Nicole Villalba, AICP, the Community Planning Director, was one of the guest lecturers in my class, and she really inspired me. I approached her after class and asked her questions about how the tools and theories worked in real life. She even invited me for a visit to the NVCOG. Ultimately, those experiences transitioned me from the classroom into this exciting profession.  

Q: What are some personal values or principles that guide your decision-making as a planner, especially when dealing with complex issues? 

Flexibility is an important value in my work. For example, I am supporting the Town of Thomaston with their Plan of Conservation and Development update, which addresses topics such as economic development, environmental, transportation, open space, housing, land use, and utilities and involves many stakeholders. I believe that being flexible, genuine and open-minded to stakeholder feedback helps us make connections between groups to identify their intersecting goals and priorities.

In terms of principles, I focus on how we can all move together and collaborate as a region. I aim to promote a regional narrative and connect municipalities, regardless of their locations and sizes, with one another. This way we can identify how they can support each other, and foster intermunicipal relationships. At the end of the day, I work to create connections between communities to find potential for collaboration and build bridges.

Q: Can you share any standout experiences or insights from your time in this role that you believe are important to share with the audience? 

I am fairly new to this position, but I have gained a lot of insight from meeting other land use staff. I have been fortunate to meet people in the region through our commissioner training days, town visits, POCD meetings, regional planning commission meetings and more. I appreciate being able to see the municipal internal workings and how they translate to external project implementation. It’s fascinating to witness the progression of so many projects even in such a short period of time.

I have heard people say that local development takes a long time. However, in my role, I can really see how the small things, in between the big projects, are what really matter. I am inspired by how municipalities serve as centers of community. I enjoy getting to know the municipalities for their individual uniqueness, and I am excited about the opportunity to get to work with each of them one-on-one.

Q: Outside of your role, do you have any personal interests or hobbies that you feel connect with or influence your work at the NVCOG? 

For a few years now, I have been really into gardening. My grandmother comes from Peru, a very rural community in the Andes Mountain region, where gardening was a significant part of her life there. Fast forward to middle and high school for me, I also started getting into gardening. I would say “let’s buy some green peas seeds and see how it goes”. During the pandemic, my father and I established a formal garden, sparking my interest in agriculture, food, family, culture, and community, including aspects of food sovereignty and accessibility.

It helps me to see the value of community and the power it has to resolve conflicts and celebrate successes. Gardening’s process mirrors my nature – invested in projects and community. In my work with Thomaston on my first POCD, I want them to reap the bounty of their hard work on this effort.

Q: What message would you like to share with your fellow land use professionals and colleagues in the region? 

I hope to meet them one day, broaden my connections and keep in touch to learn where we can connect on projects. As a newer planner, I see all land use professionals and colleagues as potential mentors and I want to learn from them, the tools they have, and the knowledge they’ve acquired 

Q: What is a current planning project that you’re working on that you are excited about?

At the NVCOG the Open Space Inventory project involves identifying the level of open space protection and access in our region. As a researcher, I verify the information in each municipality’s open space database. Our goal is to publish an updated map of open space in the region, serving as a starting point for creating an Open Space Plan.

This data provides insights into the distribution of recreational spaces, agriculture, and conservation areas. It helps interested municipalities identify opportunities to increase open space in their communities. Through visits, file and map reviews, and meetings with municipal staff and conservation commissions, I gain perspective on how we can help communities make this information accessible to the public and expand its access.

Q: What has been your favorite project to work on as planner? Why?

There are so many projects that we’ve done so far, this is hard to choose. Currently I’m focused on organizing the Accessibility Lunch & Learn which will be held on April 5, 2024, from 10:30 am to 12:00 pm at the NVCOG Offices. Simultaneously, I’m on the home stretch of finishing an accessibility resource guide. I’m diving headfirst into it and gaining valuable insights that fill gaps in my knowledge. I am excited to apply these learnings to my planning strategies and outreach efforts to municipal land use staff. As a lifelong learner, delving into accessibility has been enriching and rewarding.  

Emely Ricci and Pheobe Ploof review a site plan at the NVCOG office.