2024 Annual Meeting of the Metropolitan Area Planning (MAP) Forum

The Metropolitan Area Planning (MAP) Forum announces its 2024 Annual Meeting on Friday December 6, 2024 at 1:00 pm. This meeting will be hosted by the New York Metropolitan Transportation Council as a webinar. The meeting can be accessed at https://meetny-gov.webex.com/meetny-gov/j.php?MTID=m5b1ab43c20f1a126a888d895b6dcdfdb and the meeting agenda appears below. To join the webinar by phone, dial +1-929-251-9612, Access code: 282 131 42757. Please RSVP at https://mapforum2024-annualmeeting.eventbrite.com.

AGENDA

PRESS RELEASE: NVCOG to Host Public Meetings on Climate Resilience Infrastructure Projects

For Immediate Release: November 22, 2024

Contact:
Christine O’Neill
Environmental Planner II
Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments
203-757-0535
coneill@nvcogct.gov

NVCOG to Host Public Meetings on Climate Resilience Infrastructure Projects

Waterbury, CT – The Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments (NVCOG) invites residents to participate in a series of public meetings in December to review nine infrastructure re-design projects across the region. NVCOG is working with local governments in Ansonia, Middlebury, Naugatuck, Oxford, Seymour, Shelton, Thomaston, Waterbury, and Wolcott to design upgrades for culverts & drainage systems that cause –or are impacted by– local flooding. These hybrid meetings will offer participation options for community members to attend in-person or virtually on Zoom. The goal is to gather input from people who live, work, and recreate in these areas to ensure the proposed solutions align with the community’s needs.

These projects are part of the NVCOG’s efforts under the State Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s Climate Resilience Fund, which seeks to create a pipeline of shovel-ready projects eligible for federal construction grants. Working with member municipalities, the NVCOG prioritized sites at risk of flooding as identified in the Multijurisdictional Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan.

The nine project sites include culverts and drainage systems across the region. NVCOG selected Luchs, a civil engineering firm, to study these areas, design preliminary solutions, and identify federal funding sources for future construction. Additionally, NVCOG partnered with environmental nonprofit Save the Sound for additional design guidance, ensuring that the proposed projects will create resilience for ecosystems and populations of fish and wildlife, as well as the residents of the Naugatuck Valley.

Ansonia & Shelton Projects
A public meeting regarding proposed updates for Ansonia (Prindle Ave, Doyle Dr, Benz St) and Shelton (Oak Ave, Congress St, Union St, Center St) will be held:
• Date: Tuesday, December 10, 2024
• Time: 6 PM – Shelton project discussion; 6:30 PM – Ansonia project discussion
• Location: City Hall Auditorium, 54 Hill Street, Shelton
• Zoom link: bit.ly/sheltonansonia

Middlebury, Thomaston, Waterbury & Wolcott Projects
A public meeting regarding proposed updates for Middlebury (Cemetery Rd, Artillery Rd), Thomaston (Cables Ln crossing S. Main St, McMahon Dr), Waterbury (North Walnut St, Delford Rd, Rhode Island Ave, Ohio Ave, Connecticut Ave) and Wolcott (Ransom Hall Rd near Woodtick Rd intersection) will be held:
• Date: Wednesday, December 11, 2024
• Time: 6 PM – Middlebury project discussion; 6:30 PM – Thomaston project discussion; 7 PM – Waterbury project discussion; 7:30 PM – Wolcott project discussion
• Location: NVCOG Office, 49 Leavenworth St (3rd Floor), Waterbury
• Zoom link: bit.ly/WWTM

Naugatuck, Oxford & Seymour Projects
A public meeting regarding proposed updates for Naugatuck (Highland Ave, Aetna St, Lynn St, Goodyear Ave, Millville Ave), Oxford (Fire Station/Kirk’s Pond), and Seymour (Mountain Road at Brooks St intersection) will be held:
• Date: Thursday, December 12, 2024
• Time: 6 PM – Naugatuck project discussion; 6:30 PM – Oxford project discussion; 7 PM – Seymour project discussion
• Location: Town Hall Meeting Room, 486 Oxford Rd, Oxford
• Zoom link: bit.ly/naugyoxfordseymour

Community feedback is vital to shaping the future of these projects. The NVCOG encourages all community members to attend to share their perspectives to ensure local priorities and concerns are addressed.

To learn more about the project, visit nvcogct.gov/rfr.

12/10/24 Flyer

12/11/24 Flyer

12/12/24 Flyer

Community Planning Fall Newsletter

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.

Municipal Land Use Best Practice: Engaging the Youth for a Brighter Tomorrow in Thomaston

Emely Ricci, NVCOG Community Planner, shares how creating meaningful relationships with the Thomaston Board of Education led to impactful and valuable insights from the youth population for Thomaston’s Plan of Conservation and Development (POCD) update.  

Engaging with Thomaston’s youth, with support from Thomaston leadership and the POCD Steering Committee, was important to ensure meaningful engagement. 

In Thomaston, Town leadership and the Steering Committee were receptive, encouraging, and excited about the inclusion of youth in the planning process. Planners must ensure that the decision makers involved support the inclusion of youth in the process before engaging with the School District. This support allowed NVCOG to propose a variety of activities to bring youth perspectives into the planning process.  

Connecting with the Superintendent and Board of Education is foundational for any proposed youth engagement activities.  

Through discussions with Thomaston’s Superintendent, Francine Coss, Emely, alongside Savannah-Nicole Villalba, AICP, Community Planning Director, built a relationship with Thomaston’s Board of Education, administrators, teachers, and students. It is important for Planners to begin this relationship early in the planning process. 
 
It took around six months for the first youth engagement opportunities to occur. These activities required coordination between the Superintendent, Board of Education, Town Leadership, and NVCOG staff. Additional youth activities will occur over one year after Superintendent Coss, Emely, and Savannah-Nicole met for the first time.  

Coming to the table with intention, transparency, and reciprocity were key in ensuring efforts to engage students were of high quality and impact.  

Staff working on the Thomaston Plan of Conservation and Development proposed a variety of activities for the Board of Education, administrators, and teachers to review. They then met with the district’s leaders to discuss the activities, additional ideas, and potential educational reference materials. These collaborative meetings produced four focused activities to engage students: the inclusion of a Youth Representative on the POCD Steering Committee, the Thomaston POCD Youth Survey, a transportation and policy activity with the 8th grade statistics class, and a Youth Summit.  

The Youth Survey was successful, providing valuable insights from students that corresponded with data from earlier interviews and surveys done with stakeholders and municipal staff. Key takeaways from the results included data on housing, transportation, Town improvements and opportunities, and how youth perceive Thomaston, among others. Highlights from the data collected were shared as a written report and presented to the Strategic Planning Committee, a sub-committee of the Board of Education, and the Thomaston Plan of Conservation and Development Steering Committee. 

In this process, Emely remarks on how the information collected is used to draft meaningful and implementable strategies for the POCD. The information gained from the students ties in their desires for the future to be included in the POCD.  

Building long-term relationships that last beyond the planning effort ensure that students have opportunities to civically engage as members of their community.  

Planners should make every effort to continue relationships beyond the planning process to support the next generation in learning about the profession. Moreover, planners play a unique role in a community to encourage civic engagement of all ages. The support from the Board of Education opened doors to deeper levels of participation for students to feel heard and learn about the positive civic impact they can have.  

"The Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments’ collaborative efforts with the Thomaston Board of Education have set a high standard in community engagement by actively involving our students in the Planning of Conservation and Development update. Their hands-on approach to building relationships with young people not only brings valuable perspectives to the table but also exemplifies how community planning can be strengthened through meaningful youth involvement. This work stands as a model for best practices in regional planning, and I believe other communities would greatly benefit from adopting similar, forward-thinking approaches."

Thomaston Superintendent of Schools, Francine Coss

Overall, the process brought in key voices that are often excluded from decision making processes. It brought in the youth’s aspirations and goals into a Plan that will help guide Thomaston into the future. It also shows the importance of collaborating with the Town of Thomaston and the Thomaston Board of Education to create valuable and memorable opportunities for students to take part in deciding the future of their community. 

“The future of the Town of Thomaston lies in the hands of our young. By engaging them in the process of planning for the next ten years, allows for their input on the direction of our town. It is critical for the civic education of our youth so that they might become active as young adults in local government. Without their engagement local government will not be capable of functioning effectively in the near future. It is hoped that this engagement will foster that engagement.”

First Selectman, Edmond V. Mone
Thomaston High School students set up a traffic counter alongside Route 109.

Sustainability Spotlight: Residential Solar in Your Community

“Every community is a host community in the clean energy future”: this is the philosophy of SolSmart, a U.S. Department of Energy funded organization that helps municipalities and regions accelerate smart solar growth. A municipality’s Plan of Conservation and Development (POCD) and zoning regulations can facilitate or impede solar development.  Most utility-scale solar falls outside municipal purview and instead is reviewed by the Connecticut Siting Council; therefore, let’s look at planning and zoning for residential solar.

Why residential solar?

Residential solar installations can lower electricity bills, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, relieve strain from the electrical grid, and increase resilience in the face of extreme weather. The presence of solar panels is minimally disruptive to neighbors, as they are usually installed flat against a house’s roof. Additionally, Forbes reports that solar can increase a home’s value by around 4%.

Planning Best Practices

The POCD is an ideal spot to discuss residential solar for the community. SolSmart recommends undertaking a solar resource analysis to target areas for solar growth – PACE’s Solar Canopy Map and Google’s Project Sunroof are great starting points. Setting concrete, achievable goals based on that data will create a plan that is not just aspirational, but actionable. Subdivision Regulations can be updated to align targeted areas for solar growth with land use regulations: developments should demonstrate the use of passive solar energy techniques (i.e., southern facing orientations) to the maximum extent practicable. Finally, the POCD should contemplate policies or strategies you might like to explore to reach those goals. For instance, a community may wish to launch a promotional campaign for residential solar or pursue a SolSmart Bronze designation.  

Google’s Project Sunroof estimates the solar potential for the City of Derby.

Zoning Best Practices

Solar-friendly residential zoning means removing unnecessary restrictions that increase the “soft costs” (research, permitting, site modifications) associated with solar. Here are some suggestions:

  • Allow building-mounted and free-standing solar PV systems as accessory uses by right in all zoning districts.
  • Exempt roof-mounted solar panels from height limits and visual screening requirements for rooftop equipment.
  • Because agricultural uses are allowed as-of-right in most residential zones, consider if special “agrivoltaics” regulations are necessary.
    • Adjust setback and screening requirements for free-standing solar PV systems on farms (a 50-ft setback may be necessary for farm buildings due to odor and noise, but should be considerably reduced for solar).
    • Only the footings of free-standing solar PV systems should count towards calculations of impervious surface or lot coverage.

If your community has experienced conflicts over trees or structures blocking an adjacent parcel’s solar potential, consider protecting the “right to light” through the zoning regulations or a legislative ordinance.[1]

Other Resources

NVCOG maintains an online hub with solar information specific to our region for residents, developers, and municipalities. Learn more here.

You can also access SolSmart’s webinar and slides on solar planning and zoning, and EnergizeCT’s model zoning ordinance.

[1]  See Town of Wolcott Zoning Regulations, Sec. 25.4.13

A home in Waterbury featuring solar panels on its roof.

Bristol’s Path to Sustainable CT Gold Certification: Community, Collaboration, and Innovation

Students at Ivy Drive School plant in the school garden.

The City of Bristol is among a select group of Connecticut municipalities to achieve Sustainable CT’s Gold Level certification and Climate Leadership designation this year. This recognition reflects years of collaboration, innovative funding, and community-driven projects.

Sustainable CT is a voluntary statewide initiative that supports communities to become more efficient, resilient, and inclusive.

An Inside Look at the Journey

Originating from a task force created by the mayor in 2009, the Energy Commission’s work has grown to encompass diverse projects in energy conservation, education, resilience, and social equity.

Sean Dunn, Chair of the Energy Commission, reflects on how early deliverables of the task force, including an Energy Plan and joining Sustainable CT, laid a foundation for sustainable initiatives that would positively impact the lives of residents and result in cost reductions for the town. “Those goals have been met and I think the measure of that is the Gold certification this year,” said Dunn.

Noteworthy Initiatives

Outdoor Classroom in Eastern High School.

Throughout their Sustainable CT journey, Bristol developed transformative projects that adapted to community needs and addressed pressing challenges. One standout initiative was the creation of outdoor classrooms during the COVID-19 pandemic. The project, spearheaded by Public Works Analyst Lindsey Rivers, was funded through the Sustainable CT Community Match Fund. These outdoor spaces, equipped with blackboards and seating tailored to each grade level, provided safe learning environments for students returning to school. “Every single school—Bristol has 13 schools—has an outdoor classroom, some with two,” Rivers said, highlighting the widespread adoption and collaboration with teachers and principals. Dawn Nielsen, Marketing & Public Relations Specialist added, “It gave students and teachers a break from indoor mask mandates and allowed them to continue learning in fresh air.”

Additionally, Bristol’s decision to continue its farmers market during the pandemic provided an essential gathering place for residents when few public spaces were open. Initially organized by the city, the farmers market has since transitioned to nonprofit management, allowing it to expand services and even double SNAP benefits for participants. This shift has transformed the market into a sustainable community institution, reinforcing Bristol’s commitment to food access and social resilience.

Bristol also took a pioneering approach to its community resilience and emergency preparedness efforts. In collaboration with the Nature Conservancy, the town held a Community Resilience Building Workshop that included not only city departments but also representatives from local commissions, nonprofits, advocacy groups, and homeless shelters like the Agape House and St. Vincent de Paul. This expanded scope shifted the focus from simply maintaining city operations to addressing the needs of marginalized groups during emergencies, a perspective that had been missing in earlier planning.

Innovative Funding for Sustainable Projects

One of Bristol’s key strategies for advancing its sustainability initiatives has been leveraging diverse funding sources that relieve financial burdens on residents. Rivers emphasized the town’s commitment to finding alternative funding, which included grants, community match funds, and unique sources like nipper bottle funds. This approach has enabled Bristol to expand its offerings without increasing taxpayer obligations.

The town also utilized nipper bottle funds, a unique funding stream derived from small liquor bottle sales, to support environmental cleanup efforts. These funds allowed Bristol to initiate projects like the Beautify Bristol campaign, which provided over 1,000 litter cleanup kits to residents. Additionally, grants from organizations like ReWorld have been instrumental, providing annual funding of $23,000 for sustainable projects. Through these efforts, the town distributed compost buckets and rain barrels to residents at no charge, promoting waste reduction practices.

Collaboration: The Backbone of Bristol’s Success

Left to Right: Sean Dunn, Lindsey Rivers, and David Oakes.

Bristol’s success with Sustainable CT rests on the strength of inter-departmental cooperation. Bristol’s leaders attributed their success to departments spanning across purchasing, the Board of Education, Corporation Counsel, Parks & Recreation, police, fire, water, sewer, and many others whose collaboration made this achievement possible. River explains, “If we did not work together and communicate, none of this would happen.”

Engaging all city departments initially required persistent efforts, as Lindsey Rivers and David Oakes worked with the mayor to designate sustainability points of contact within each department. “We went in not forcing changes but simply asking to document and celebrate successes,” shared Oakes.” This relationship-building approach was essential, echoed by Dunn, who noted the mayor’s strong support as crucial in overcoming challenges. The collaborative environment fostered through these interactions has made sustainability an interagency effort, breaking down silos across departments.

Equity and Inclusion: Meeting Diverse Community Needs

Bristol’s MLK Mural at the Primo Press building on Riverside Avenue.

One notable area of growth involved embedding equity in Bristol’s sustainability efforts. Oakes discussed the learning process involved in using Sustainable CT’s equity toolkit, acknowledging initial challenges but recognizing the importance of adapting services to meet diverse needs. “Working with Sustainable CT equity coaches and attending the equity trainings helped me see our services from broader perspectives,” he said. This shift in focus encouraged a move from a one-size-fits-all approach to creating tailored solutions.

Rivers pointed out the importance of multi-channel outreach, especially for Bristol’s large senior population. “Working with Sustainable CT, we learned we were not outreaching correctly. We had to get creative—postcards, press releases, and in-person outreach became essential” she said.

Bristol’s commitment to equity has shaped many of its projects, aiming to address diverse needs within the community. Bristol Parks, Recreation, Youth & Community Services (BPRYCS) staff led efforts like the MLK Mural and the Kern Park Revitalization, both of which were influenced by input from the community. Recommendations from residents determined which figures would be commemorated in the MLK Mural, and numerous workshops were held for Kern Park to make sure the space accurately represented the desires of the community. Oakes shared, “We didn’t want to provide something residents wouldn’t use,” emphasizing that authentic engagement was prioritized to serve community needs. BPRYCS alliance, coupled with the dedication and coordination of all City Departments, drove the progress of these initiatives in Bristol and led to the successful attainment of Sustainable CT Gold certification.

A Surprising Source of Support: High Schoolers

Bristol high school students planting bulbs.

The involvement of Bristol’s youth became a surprising yet invaluable resource, particularly high school students who took ownership of projects like designing recycling bins and supporting local nonprofits. One initiative involved students from Eastern High School collecting recycled bottles to donate funds to Brian’s Angels, a local homeless outreach organization. Rivers said, “The high schoolers are great—they bring so many ideas.” This enthusiasm from Bristol’s youth is creating a ripple effect, fostering what Dunn refers to as “a culture of conservation”. The bottle program has now been extended into other schools including the Bristol Arts and Innovation Magnet School.  

Lessons Learned and a Look to the Future

Reflecting on their journey, Bristol’s leaders encourage other towns aiming for Sustainable CT certification to foster partnerships and learn from others’ experiences. The city has participated in mentorship with the community of East Haddam, guiding them through outreach strategies and the integration of equity into their composting program. Bristol has also worked with Burlington to establish the Pigeon Hill Preserve, a shared open space initiative that combines natural preservation with educational opportunities. By working closely with other municipalities, sharing the best practices, and mentoring smaller communities, the city has expanded its impact beyond the Bristol community.

The Gold certification is just the beginning for Bristol. The team remains focused on maintaining momentum by planning future projects, expanding equity-focused initiatives, and keeping residents engaged. “We’re already thinking about our next steps. You can never fall asleep at the wheel,” Rivers concluded. “You can’t just rest on your laurels. This is a living program,” Oakes adds. As Bristol looks ahead, it serves as a beacon for other communities in Connecticut, showing that sustainable transformation is possible when driven by collaboration, creativity, and a shared vision. These achievements were made possible by Sustainable CT’s unwavering support and commitment to helping communities succeed.

For questions about Bristol’s Sustainable CT certification or insights on the process, please contact David Oakes, Public Works Facilities & Energy Manager, at davidoakes@bristolct.gov.

Learn More

Read the official press release from the City of Bristol.

Visit the Public Works webpage.

Learn more about Bristol’s municipal initiatives on the town’s official website.

Explore a range of valuable resources and NVCOG projects on the Bristol NVCOG webpage.

World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims

The World Day of Remembrance (WDoR), commemorated on the 3rd Sunday of November each year, is a global event to remember the many millions who have been killed and seriously injured on the world’s roads and to acknowledge the suffering of all affected victims, families and communities.
 
This year, Watch for Me CT will hold an event to honor those who we’ve lost in Connecticut on Sunday, November 17 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at De Gale Field at Goffe Street Park in New Haven.
 
Last year Connecticut saw 310 victims, 64 of them pedestrians and bicyclists. This year the pace of fatalities continues.
The goals of WDoR are to provide a platform for road traffic victims and their families to:

– Remember all people killed and seriously injured on the roads
– Acknowledge the crucial work of the emergency services
– Draw attention to the generally trivial legal response to culpable road deaths and injuries and advocate for an appropriately serious response
– Advocate for better support for road traffic victims and victim families
– Promote evidence-based actions to prevent further road traffic deaths and injuries
 
Family members of victims will speak, as well as local advocates, state legislators, a faith leader, and a first responder. A sea of over 300 small white flags will represent those who have died on our CT roads since last year’s WDoR. Family members and friends are invited to carry photos of their loved ones.
Anyone who has lost a loved one due to a vehicle crash is invited to attend, as well as survivors, and others who care about this issue. For further information, email awatkins01@connecticutchildrens.org.
 
After the event, there will be a gathering at the Bradley Street Bicycle Co-Op, located at 138 Bradley Street in New Haven. Join us for warm drinks, light snacks, and conversation about moving forward together to prevent traffic deaths. The gathering begins at 3 p.m.

Partners: New Haven Coalition for Active Transportation, Capitol Region Council of Governments, Bradley Street Bicycle Co-Op, RAR New Haven Chapter, Connecticut Department of Transportation, Connecticut Children’s
 
Supporters:
Koffee? New Haven 
Trantolo & Trantolo

Public Information Meetings to Discuss Improvements to Multiple Stations along the Waterbury and Ansonia Line

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) will host public information meetings to discuss planned improvements to the Waterbury, Derby-Shelton, Ansonia, Seymour, and Beacon Falls stations.

This hybrid public information meetings are being held to provide the public and local community the opportunity to offer comments or ask questions regarding the proposed projects. Q&A sessions will immediately follow the presentations, which will be recorded.

Monday, November 18, 2024 at 6:00 p.m.

Waterbury City Hall

Veterans Memorial Hall

235 Grand Street, Waterbury

Register for hybrid meeting here.

Tuesday, November 19, 2024 at 6:00 p.m.

Ansonia Senior Center

65 Main Street, Ansonia

Register for hybrid meeting here.

Members of the public can submit comments and questions during the two-week public comment period to: Quinn.Duffy@ct.gov or 860-594-2183 Brett.mckiernan@ct.gov or 860-594-2312

Please reference Project No. 0304-0022 and/or 0304-0024 in your email or voicemail.

Individuals with limited internet can access the Waterbury meeting by calling (877) 853-5257 and enter Meeting ID 881 6796 0890.
Learn more at the CTDOT project page.