PRESS RELEASE: Emergency Work to Begin on Coe Pond Dam in Ansonia

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 30, 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

Emergency Work to Begin on Coe Pond Dam in Ansonia

ANSONIA, CT – The Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments (NVCOG) is proceeding with emergency safety work at Coe Pond Dam in Ansonia.  Work will begin the week of September 30th and continue for approximately two weeks. Construction will focus on enlarging a notch in a concrete spillway at the dam and will result in a lowering of the water level in Coe Pond by approximately 3 feet. This work is in response to the findings of an engineering report published in March of this year that determined that Coe Pond Dam is in poor condition. The report 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. Lowering the water level will reduce stress on the dam, and in turn reduce the immediate safety risk.  

Coe Pond Dam is part of the Kinneytown Dam Hydroelectric Facility.  The facility is currently owned by Kinneytown Hydro Inc., and 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. 

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.   

Removing the immediate safety 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. NVCOG worked with the current dam owner and an engineer to develop a plan to lower the water level in Coe Pond. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), the federal agency that regulates the facility, approved the plan on September 6th, 2024. The CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) has waived the 404 Water Quality Certification for the emergency work. Schumack Engineered Construction of Clinton, CT will be conducting the work. 

Residents should be aware that the entirety of Coe Pond and canal are on private property, and access is both forbidden and dangerous. Residents should also avoid direct contact with pond bottom sediment that will be exposed when the water level is lowered and may be contaminated.   

The dam safety inspection report and pond lowering plan are available on the NVCOG website: https://nvcogct.gov/kinneytown  

This project should not be confused with a separate CT Department of Transportation emergency project that is underway in Seymour to repair the washout of the railroad embankment just south of Kinneytown Dam. 

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:  

PRESS RELEASE: In-Person & Virtual Public Meetings to Discuss Proposed Trail Connection from Woodtick Recreation Area to Peterson Park

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 19, 2024

Contact:
Richard Donovan
Transportation Planning Director
Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments
203-757-0535
rdonovan@nvcogct.gov

In-Person & Virtual Public Meetings to Discuss Proposed Trail Connection from Woodtick Recreation Area to Peterson Park

Wolcott, CT – The Town of Wolcott and the Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments (NVCOG) invite the community to discuss the potential development of a new trail connection between Woodtick Recreation Area and Peterson Park. The NVCOG will host two upcoming public meetings to provide an opportunity for residents to learn more about the study’s goals, background, and provide feedback on what a new trail might include.

An in-person public meeting is set to take place on Thursday, October 10, 2024, at 6:00 PM at Wolcott Town Hall, 10 Kenea Ave, Wolcott, CT 06716. During the meeting, NVCOG staff will provide an overview of the trail study and participants will have the chance to engage in an interactive workshop to contribute ideas, suggestions, and concerns. Refreshments will be provided during this meeting.

A virtual meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, October 15, 2024, at 6:00 PM on Zoom. Participants can join the meeting by using the link at bit.ly/WolcottPIM2. Individuals with limited internet access can listen to the meeting by calling +1 929 205 6099 and entering the Meeting ID when prompted: 815 3582 3523.

The purpose of the study is to support the Town of Wolcott’s proposal to connect the Woodtick Recreation Area and Scoville Trail to Peterson Park and the Mattatuck Trail in the north. Through this collaboration, the NVCOG will develop routing options that provide a safe, continuous connection, and identify next steps and potential funding sources to bring this vision to life. This routing study, and the proposed trail connection, will enhance connectivity and recreation access to residents and visitors, furthering the NVCOG’s goal of providing safe alternative transportation options in the region.

For more information and to stay updated on the progress of this study, please visit nvcogct.gov/project/scoville-routing.

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.  

PRESS RELEASE: Upcoming Spanish-Speaking Public Meeting to Discuss Safety on Residential Streets in Waterbury

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 17, 2024

Contact:
Desira Blanchard
Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments
203-489-0351
dblanchard@nvcogct.gov

Upcoming Spanish-Speaking Public Meeting to Discuss Safety on Residential Streets in Waterbury

Waterbury, CT – The Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments (NVCOG), in partnership with the Hispanic Coalition of Greater Waterbury, are hosting a public meeting to gather public input for the development of the Waterbury Residential Traffic Calming Study. This meeting will be conducted entirely in Spanish on October 8, 2024, from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Hispanic Coalition, 233 Mill Street, 3rd Floor, Waterbury, CT 06706. This meeting aims to gather feedback and suggestions to improve safety on local Waterbury roads.

As the NVCOG works to achieve its goal of zero deaths and serious injuries from traffic crashes by 2060, the agency is developing a sample policy and guidebook outlining how Waterbury may best address road safety concerns and respond to resident requests. Following its completion, the city will consider ways to best implement the study’s recommendations.

The goal of the public meeting is to solicit public input regarding perceived speed issue locations, preferred traffic calming interventions, and ideal public request processes. During the meeting, NVCOG staff will provide a brief overview of the study, and participants will have the chance to actively Food and refreshments will be available. RSVP by emailing Desira Blanchard at dblanchard@nvcogct.gov. 

To learn more about the study and to stay engaged in the process visit the NVCOG project page at https://nvcogct.gov/project/wtby-tcs/.

The NVCOG published an online survey to learn more about resident perspectives on traffic safety in Waterbury. The survey is available in English at https://arcg.is/LzG91 and Spanish at https://arcg.is/04L01f1.

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NVCOG Community Planning Newsletter Summer 2024

Quarterly Updates

The NVCOG Community Planning Division published the summer edition of its quarterly newsletter. The newsletter is a resource for municipal land use staff and decision makers on all things land use policy and planning.

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Subscribe to the NVCOG newsletter to receive quarterly updates.

PRESS RELEASE: Household Hazardous Waste and Paint Collection Scheduled for Saturday, September 28 in Woodbury

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 9, 2024

Contact:
NVCOG
(203) 757-0535
https://nvcogct.gov/HHW

Household Hazardous Waste and Paint Collection
Scheduled for Saturday, September 28 in Woodbury

Do you have paints, cleaners, and other chemicals in your home that you need to dispose of? The Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments (NVCOG) and participating municipalities will sponsor a Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) and Paint Collection event on Saturday, September 28, 2024. The collection will take place from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Nonnewaug High School, 5 Minortown Road, Woodbury, CT 06978. This will be the last event of the year.

The collection is open to residents of the following communities: Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Bethlehem, Derby, Middlebury, Naugatuck, Oxford, Prospect, Seymour, Southbury, Thomaston, Waterbury, Watertown, Wolcott, and Woodbury. There is no charge to residents. Proof of residency, such as a driver’s license, tax bill, or other identification, is required for entry. There is no need to line up before the 8 a.m. start time.

Hazardous waste consists of poisonous, flammable, and corrosive materials that are harmful to human health if not disposed of properly. The only waste that will be accepted is hazardous waste produced by households. Materials generated by a commercial enterprise or non-profit entity will not be accepted. A full list of acceptable and unacceptable materials can be viewed at nvcogct.gov/hhw.

Examples of wastes that will be accepted include: oil- and latex-based paints and stains, thermometers and thermostats containing mercury, drain and oven cleaners, upholstery cleaners, wood cleaners, strippers and varnishes, pesticides, poisons, pool and photo chemicals, automotive cleaners and fluids, gasoline and motor oil, grease and rust solvents, aerosols, and metal polishes.

Items that will not be accepted include: auto batteries, propane tanks over 1 lb., compressed gas cylinders, asbestos, smoke detectors, explosives, radioactive or medical waste, grout, joint compound, lead paint chips, and empty containers of any kind. Aerosol containers will not be accepted unless they contain a non-paint chemical. Empty aerosols that contain food products can be recycled. Full or partially full spray paint, full or partially full food products, and empty chemical aerosol containers can be placed in the trash. The contractor reserves the right to reject additional materials.

Up to 50 lbs. of residential waste will be accepted per vehicle. Residents should leave materials in the original container whenever possible. If you think you might exceed this limit, send an email with your name, address, and type of waste to hhw@nvcogct.gov at least one week in advance of the collection. When arriving at the collection site, residents must remain in their cars at all times. Trained waste handlers will remove materials from the cars. All liquid-based products, including gasoline and motor oil should arrive in a sealed container.

Unacceptable materials will be returned or left in the vehicle and information, if known, will be provided on how to dispose of them. For further information, please contact hhw@nvcogct.gov or call (203) 757-0535.

PRESS RELEASE: Milling and Resurfacing Project on Route 8 in Naugatuck

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) is announcing that a milling and 2” resurfacing project is scheduled for Route 8 north and southbound Naugatuck at .03 miles north of the northbound Exit to Route 63 to .03 miles south of the Waterbury town line (Exit 26 -29) starting Sunday, August 18 ,2024. The project consists of milling and resurfacing a 2.22 -mile segment of Route 8 north and southbound in Naugatuck. The milling is scheduled to start on Sunday, August 18 and to be completed on Thursday, August 29, 2024. The 2” resurfacing of this project is scheduled start on Sunday, September 15 and be completed on Sunday, October 6, 2024.  

This project is included in CTDOT’s 2024 Maintenance Resurfacing Program.

LANE CLOSURE INFO

Motorists can expect lane closures on Route 8 north and southbound between Exits 26 & 29. Traffic control signing patterns will guide motorists through the work zone. The regular work schedule for this project is 7:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m., Sunday through Thursday.

Motorists should be aware that modifications or extensions to this schedule may become necessary due to weather delays or other unforeseen conditions. Motorists are advised to maintain a safe speed when driving in this area.

Media Contact:
860-594-2560
DOT.CustomerCare@ct.gov

Resources, Events, and Surveys from NVCOG

Get Involved!

The NVCOG shares the latest updates including essential resources, upcoming events, and surveys. 

Whether community members are interested in trying public transit for free, safely disposing of hazardous materials, or sharing their thoughts on local traffic safety, there’s something for everyone. 

Read the latest publication

PRESS RELEASE: Experience Eco-Friendly Transit with NVCOG’s “Transit Try-it Day”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 5, 2024

Contact:
Christine O’Neill 
Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments
203-489-0351
coneill@nvcogct.gov

Experience Eco-Friendly Transit with NVCOG’s “Transit Try-it Day”

Waterbury, CT – The Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments (NVCOG), in partnership with CTrides, invites the community to join them for Transit Try-it Day on Monday, September 23, 2024, from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM. This special event, held as part of Connecticut Sustainability and Resiliency Week, offers an opportunity for first-time transit riders to experience a ride on a hybrid-electric bus around Waterbury for free, as long as participants register.

Designed to introduce residents to climate-friendly transportation options participants will meet at the East End of the Waterbury Green (near the horse statue across from 2 North Main Street) and enjoy a short bus ride while learning how to navigate the transit system. Experts will be on hand to answer questions and provide valuable information on the benefits of public transportation. Attendees will also explore Platt Park and the Naugatuck River Greenway, further promoting sustainable travel in the region.

Parking is available at the new Municipal Parking lot on Prospect Street.

Event Details:

  • Date: Monday, September 23, 2024
  • Time: 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
  • Location: Waterbury Green (near the horse statue), across from 2 North Main Street, Waterbury, CT
  • Registration is required.

 

This event is a part of the NVCOG’s efforts to promote sustainable living and eco-conscious transportation. Don’t miss your chance to try it out! RSVP by going online to bit.ly/TryIt2024. If you have any questions, please contact the NVCOG at 203-757-0535.

PRESS RELEASE: CTDOT is Announcing the Start of the 2024 Connecticut Daily Travel Survey This Fall

 
9/03/2024
The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) is launching a major travel survey to better understand how people travel throughout the state. This travel survey will request information from several thousand households about their daily travel habits, asking people where, how far and how often they travel and what modes they use – whether driving, using public transportation, biking or walking. These trips will include those made for work, school, shopping, errands, and socializing with family and friends.
 

“The ways people travel and how often they travel have changed dramatically over the last several years. The Daily Travel Survey will help provide the data we need to make future transportation investments at the right time,” said Connecticut Department of Transportation Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto. “We are improving lives through transportation and the residents of Connecticut are partners with us on this journey. I encourage everyone who receives a survey to take part.”

As technologies evolve and travel behaviors have changed over the last few years, transportation planners are collecting current travel data to inform future transportation investments and prioritize improvements. The new survey is a statewide project sponsored by the CTDOT, the Federal Highway Administration, and local planning organizations throughout the state. The last travel survey was completed in 2016. If you would like to see the data from that survey, it can be found at CT Statewide Transportation Study Completed.

Approximately 7,500 households in the state of Connecticut are expected to participate in this travel survey between September and December 2024. Randomly selected households will be invited to participate by a mailed invitation. While this survey is not currently open to volunteers, please respond if you receive an invitation. Invitations will be sent in waves over the next several weeks.

Invited households have the option to complete the survey online, by phone, or through a smartphone app (rMove™) developed by the project consultant, Resource Systems Group (RSG). When complete, this survey will help CTDOT plan for a more efficient, equitable, and accessible transportation system.

The survey results are expected to be released in Spring 2025. For more information, visit portal.ct.gov/travelsurvey.

Media Contact:
OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS
860-594-3062
CTDOTMedia@ct.gov

Twitter: @CTDOTOfficial
Facebook: Connecticut Department of Transportation