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NVision 2022

Naugatuck Valley Conference on

Fostering Equitable Development

NVision 2022 was a one-day regional conference that brought together stakeholders from the public and private sectors, elected officials, and community members to discuss our region’s future.

This year’s discussions and presentations were underpinned by the concept of equity. Interactive sessions with expert panelists helped frame the Greater Naugatuck Valley’s path on key issues related to:

Transportation
Affordable Housing
Public Involvement

The conference featured an engaging agenda that included appearances from Guest Speakers Governor Ned Lamont and Waterbury Mayor Neil O’Leary. It took place at the Palace Theater in Waterbury, CT. This event was free and open to everyone.

Click here for Opening Remarks (COG Director Rick Dunne & Mayor O'Leary)

Click here for Governor Lamont's Keynote

Click here for slides

Click here for recording

“Moving the Masses May be Micro” Presentation & Panel

As energy prices continue to rise and roadway safety is increasingly in focus, Connecticut and the nation are turning toward walking, biking, and other micro-mobility solutions to make up gaps in the transportation system. Bikes, scooters, hoverboards, and other personal transport devices provide a more, but not perfectly, attainable alternative to car ownership, especially for lower-income individuals living in or near urban centers.

This session provided an overview of the current state of infrastructure, legality, and safety barriers to more widespread adoption of micro-mobility devices, as well as discussed ways that municipalities and the COG can work together to improve access.

“Home-Field Advantages of Local Affordable Housing” Presentation & Panel

The location, size, and type of affordable housing development is inherently a local level decision. However, over the last few years, many municipalities in the Naugatuck Valley Region have faced similar housing-related challenges that are changing the housing conditions of our communities.

This session explored how affordable housing development can create opportunities for economic and social mobility and how meeting the needs of all residents creates more resilient and diverse communities.

Click here for slides

Click here for recording

Click here for slides

Click here for recording

“Justice Isn’t Just Us: Pursuing an Equitable Environment” Presentation & Panel

Many communities affected by Environmental Justice issues have historically been left out of planning and decision making processes. Involving community members and organizations not only enhances understanding of and by the target population, but it is also fundamental to identifying the best way to meet the community’s needs.

This session explored the significance of Environmental Justice and narrowed in on strategies to build the community’s capacity to be meaningfully involved in the environmental decisions that affect their lives.

A Special Thank You to our Partners Eversource & Avangrid

Without the generous support of Eversource and Avangrid, this event would not have been possible. Click below to explore their slides and recordings of their speeches.

Eversource Recording (coming soon!) | Eversource Slides
Avangrid Recording (coming soon!) | Avangrid Slides

MTP 2050

About the Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP)

As the regional planning agency and a Metropolitan Planning Organization, NVCOG must prepare a long-range transportation plan every four years that lays out the vision for transportation in the future. This document, known as the Metropolitan Transportation Plan, is currently underway, and will identify the current needs and deficiencies within the transportation system, lay out a vision for what we hope to see by 2050, and establish implementation steps to achieve that vision. The region’s last MTP update was completed in 2019. View the approved and adopted 2019-2045 plan here.

Updating our Plan

With an expected adoption in 2023, the updated MTP provides the region with an opportunity to examine both the present state of our transportation system and share a vision for getting around the Naugatuck Valley in the future.

We want your feedback!

A critical component of MTP development is feedback from residents, visitors, and anyone else with an interest in the future of the Greater Naugatuck Valley. There are several ways to share your thoughts, and in the coming months more in-person options will be posted here and to the NVCOG Calendar.

From now until November 1st we will be collected responses to a survey designed to identify the priorities and concerns of those within our region. Responses to this survey are one of the best tools we have to gather input from the widest group of stakeholders, and we truly appreciate your participation. The survey can be accessed at this link, or by using the QR Code.

En Español: https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/00ac7cdc6db149be969f7ded9e28f5cd

In the coming months, NVCOG will offer a series of opportunities to provide feedback in person, including tables at fairs and farmers markets in the region, dedicated public meetings, and a presence at municipal meetings. Updates will be shared regularly on this page, the NVCOG Facebook, and the NVCOG Twitter account.

Transportation in our Region:

Rail

Public Transit

Active Transportation

Highways

Freight

Aviation

Rail

The Waterbury Line of Metro North plays a critical role in connecting the communities of the Naugatuck Valley. CTDOT and Metro North recently completed projects to add passing sidings, modern signals, and PTC (positive train control) to the Waterbury line, allowing for the addition of 7 more trains per day in the 2022 fiscal year.

The following resources represent the planning effort around rail in the region:

Central Connecticut Rail Study – this study looks at the possibility of upgrading freight service and restarting passenger service on the existing track between the Waterbury Station and the Hartford Line through Bristol.

CTDOT is currently updating the state rail plan, a federally backed statewide plan identifying priorities and benefits of rail within the region.

NVCOG is in the final stages of preparing a Route 8/Waterbury Line Alternative Modes Study identifying opportunities for improved service, economic development, and better connections throughout the Naugatuck Valley.

Public Transit

Public transit in the Greater Naugatuck Valley provides options for residents and visitors while helping to mitigate congestion and transportation related greenhouse gas output. The region is served by several districts of Connecticut Transit, Greater Bridgeport Transit, an extension of the Connecticut Fastrak system, and the Valley Transit District.

WATS – NVCOG completed and adopted the Waterbury Area Transit Study in 2017 recommending specific service improvements to bus service in the region.

Active Transportation

Concurrently with the 2023 MTP, NVCOG staff is creating the Greater Naugatuck Valley Active Transportation Plan.

Highways

The majority of trips in the NVCOG Planning Region are taken by car, and our robust network of highways, roads, and local streets makes up the backbone of our transportation system. Anchored by Interstate 84 and the Route 8 expressway, our road network is aging and prone to delays.

As we envision the transportation system of 2045, we seek to identify and propose solutions to the areas of our highway system that currently underperform while offering alternatives to those who can’t or don’t want to drive.

Freight

An equally important focus of the MTP is the movement of goods throughout the region. As part of the North East Mega Region, freight in the NVCOG Planning region involves a lot more than the goods coming to our municipalities. The freight infrastructure in our region supports the movement of goods throughout the region.

CTDOT is currently working to update the statewide freight plan, off of which NVCOG will make updates to our regional plan.

As part of the Metropolitan Area Planning Forum, NVCOG is included in a Freight Alternative Fuels Corridor Study

Aviation

Our region is home to one general aviation airport. The Oxford-Waterbury Airport is administered by the Connecticut Airport Authority and provides recreational as well as commercial air services.

The CAA is currently updating their long term plan for the Oxford-Waterbury Airport.

Staff Contact

Rich Donovan
Transportation Planner
rdonovan@nvcogct.gov
(203) 489-0361

HydroLand Kinneytown Dam Fish Passage

An ineffective fish ladder at Kinneytown Dam in Seymour, owned by HydroLand, is currently preventing migratory fish from accessing miles of restored habitat upstream. NVCOG has joined the Naugatuck River Restoration Coalition with the goal of returning migratory fish to the Naugatuck River by ensuring that safe, timely and effective fish passage is established at Kinneytown Dam. The Coalition has developed an Interactive Story Map to explain the issue.

Kinneytown Dam and Fish Ladder, Seymour, CT

As a hydroelectric generating facility, Kinneytown Dam is regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). As part of the facility’s license exemption, Hydroland must provide for safe, timely and effective fish passage at the dam. FERC opened a docket in Fall of 2020 in response to a letter from the US Fish and Wildlife Service documenting inadequate fish passage at the facility. NVCOG is participating in the docket to ensure that regional and municipal voices are heard by regulators.

On September 30, 2021, NVCOG, Save the Sound and the Naugatuck River Revival Group jointly took formal legal action asking FERC to revoke the License Exemption held by Hydroland for Kinneytown Dam. A Press Release explained the filing.

Hydroland, HydroLand, HydroLand Omega, Hydroland Inc, Hydroland Corp, Hydroland Corporation,

Explore the Issue:

This interactive storymap details the effort to restore migratory fish to the Naugatuck River, and the current issues at Kinneytown Dam keeping fish from miles of restored habitat upstream.

NVCOG FERC Docket Filings:

4/25/2022 Coalition Comments

12/16/2021 Coalition Comments

11/4/2021 Coalition Comments

10/12/2021 Coalition Comments

9/30/2021 Coalition Complaint

12/16/2020 NVCOG Comments
10/27/2020 NVCOG Comments

9/30/2021 Legal Action

Legal Motion/Complaint

Legal Exhibits

Press Release

More Information:

Let the Naugatuck River Run Silver Again Op-Ed by John Waldman published in Hearst Media publications 12/4/2020

Our Opportunity to Restore Fish Passage at Kinneytown Dam Save the Sound Blog Post 12/10/2020

Staff Contact:

Aaron Budris
Senior Regional Planner
abudris@nvcogct.gov

Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan Update

The final Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan and Municipal Annexes have been posted to the NVCOG Hazard Mitigation Plan webpage. The Plan has been adopted by all 19 NVCOG Communities, and the NVCOG Board endorsed the plan on December 10, 2021. FEMA approved the plan in January, 2022.

In 2019, NVCOG received funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to conduct a multi-jurisdictional Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan (NHMP) for all 19 NVCOG municipalities.

An approved NHMP is required by FEMA to qualify a municipality for certain federal mitigation funding. NHMPs must be updated every 5 years. The purpose of this project is to update municipal NHMPs and develop a consolidated multijurisdictional plan for the entire Naugatuck Valley planning region in compliance with FEMA standards and requirements that will serve as the approved NHMP for each NVCOG municipality.

The NHMP will identify natural hazards and risks, existing capabilities, and activities that can be undertaken by a community to prevent loss of life and reduce property damages associated with the identified hazards. Public safety and property loss reduction are the driving forces behind this plan. Careful consideration will also be given to the preservation of history, culture and the natural environment of the region.

Milone & MacBroom Inc. (MMI) was selected to serve as the project consultant. MMI has extensive experience developing NHMPs in the region and across the state. NVCOG is administering the project and has prepared a detailed scope of work in collaboration with MMI. The project is expected to take 18 months and will include extensive public and stakeholder outreach and coordination with various municipal officials and departments.

Interactive Storymap:

Click on the tabs at the top of the Project Storymap and scroll through the narrative to learn about hazards impacting the region and view topical maps.

Meetings and Workshops:

Public Information Meeting 8/4/2021

Recording

Public Workshop #2: Mitigation

Recording

Slides

Coordinator Workshop #2: Mitigation

Recording

Slides

Public Workshop #1: Risk

Slides

Coordinator Workshop #1: Risk

Recording

Breakout Room Recording

Slides

Project Kickoff Meeting

Slides

Project Documents:

Scope of Work

Press Release 2/2/2021

Press Release 10/26/2020

Upcoming Meetings:

There are no upcoming events at this time.

View Full Calendar

Staff Contact:

Aaron Budris
Senior Regional Planner
abudris@nvcogct.gov

COVID-19 Information

During this time of uncertainty, NVCOG seeks to provide the best information available for the residents of our nineteen communities.

On this page, you can find links with information related to COVID-19 pandemic for:

Bus Transit, Commuter Rail, and Highway Updates
Resources for Businesses
Latest Press Releases and Executive Orders from Governor Lamont
Local Health Districts
Your Municipality’s COVID-19 Response web page
Federal Departments and Agencies

NVCOG Current Status

Employees are back in the office and our office is open to the public. Public information meetings encourage in-person participation and will continue to have a virtual option for participation.

Quick Links

Find A Testing Site Near You

COVID-19 Vaccinations in CT

Connecticut Travel Advisory

Step Up Connecticut

COVID Alert CT App

How We Feel App

Information Sources

Below are links to trusted agencies with status updates, resources for municipalities and businesses, and the best data on how to prevent coming into contact with the virus and what to do if you do come into contact with the virus.

Connecticut Coronavirus Call Center: 2-1-1 — Please contact 211CT if in need of food, mental health, transportation or many other services.

Click on a heading below for the resources NVCOG has compiled.

Transit and Highway News & Updates

Valley Transit District

Greater Bridgeport Transit

CTtransit News & Updates includes CTfasttrak, Bristol Local Service and Greater Waterbury Transit District

Metro-North Services Updates

CTDOT News & Updates

FTA Mask Travel Guidance Order and FAQ

TRB and the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine resources

Municipal Websites and Updates

Local Health Districts

Bristol-Burlington Health District (Bristol)

Chesprocott Health District (Cheshire, Prospect & Wolcott)

Naugatuck Valley Health District (Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Derby, Naugatuck, Seymour & Shelton)

Housatonic Valley Health District (Oxford, Southbury & Woodbury)

Torrington Area Health District (Bethlehem, Middlebury, Plymouth, Thomaston & Watertown)

Waterbury Department of Public Health

Governor Lamont and the State of Connecticut

Emergency Orders issued by the Governor and State Agencies

Executive Order No 700 “Protection of Public Health and Safety during COVID-19 Pandemic and Response – Procedures for Local Appointments and Elections Requiring In-Person Vote”

Governor Lamont’s Press Releases

Connecticut COVID-19 Data Tracker

Find a Test Center Near You including No-Cost COVID-19 Test Sites

Department of Public Health (DPH) resources

Department of Housing (DOH) Housing Notices and Orders regarding COVID-19

Connecticut State Department of Education Supporting Student Participation

Department of Social Services for SNAP and Child Support Services

Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) resources for social distancing at state parks, beaches and more.

CT State Library for updates on local libraries.

Connecticut COVID-19 Charity Connection (4-CT) was launched as a non-profit that unites donors with state-wide programs that will help make an immediate impact.

Federal & International Organizations

The Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

FEMA Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic: Elegible Emergency Protective Measures

U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) Public Health Emergency

American Red Cross

World Health Organization (WHO)

Working Groups of Municipalities

Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations (ACIR) news and resources

Connecticut Conference of Municipalities (CCM) resources

Connecticut Council of Small Towns (COST) news and updates

Municipal Guidance Document #1 “Suspension of In Person Open Meeting Requirements”

Municipal Guidance Document #4 “Suspension of Tax Deadlines and Collection Efforts”

Municipal Guidance Document #5 “Suspension of In-Person Voting Requirements by the Public in the Municipal Budget Process”

Municipal Guidance Document #8 Index of Executive Orders Pertinent to Municipalities

Municipal Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF)

The Federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) includes funds for Connecticut governments to pay costs incurred in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Office of Policy and Management (OPM) has established the Municipal Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) Program to reimburse municipalities for such costs.

Rules on Use, Allowable Costs & Ineligible Costs and Program Overview

Program Forms, Fact Sheets, and Application Portal

Resources for Businesses

Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD)

Connecticut Insurance Department (CID)

Connecticut Department of Labor (CTDOL)

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)

U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) the Families First Coronavirus Response Act

Printable Materials

CT DECD – Stop the Spread in English and Spanish.

CT CBIA – Reopen Connecticut resources and materials.

CDC – Print Resources web page with information covering a variety of topics.

Watch live updates on global and national counts of COVID-19 by Johns Hopkins University

Also see state-by-state testing trends by Johns Hopkins University.

Regional Plan of Conservation and Development

Overview and What's New

What is a RPOCD and FAQ

Study Materials

Overview and What's New

Content coming soon.

What is a RPOCD and FAQ

Though there are legal reasons to write a Plan of Conservation and Development (POCD), we think the practical ones are far more important. Learn more about POCD’s through the questions and answers below:

What is your current Regional Plan of Conservation and Development?

Current regional planning work is being guided by the three POCD’s from the three regional planning agencies which consolidated as the NVCOG in 2015: the Valley Council of Governments, the Council of Governments of the Central Naugatuck Valley, and the Central Connecticut Regional Planning Agency.

What is a Regional Plan of Conservation and Development?

The Regional Plan of Conservation and Development (POCD) is the NVCOG’s advisory policy document on the future physical development of the region. The POCD addresses planning issues which transcend municipal boundaries, such as water supply, economy, housing and transportation, presents a metropolitan perspective, and recommends general policies that will guide the NVCOG region’s residents and decision makers in responding to future change.

Why prepare a regional POCD?

Legal reason: State Statute 8-35a mandates that regional council of governments prepare such a plan at least once every ten years.

Practical reason: We live in a regional community. Each city and town in the NVCOG region relies on each other for employment, housing, retail, healthcare, and other services and needs. The regional POCD provides planning linkages between towns and cities and offers policies to more efficiently coordinate development to improve its residents’ quality of life.

How will the Plan be used?

The Plan will guide NVCOG in setting priorities, reviewing state, regional and local proposals, implementing programs, and assisting member communities.

Relationship between Local, Regional and State Plans?

LOCAL: Each municipality in the region has a local POCD. These plans address local issues and are connected to local zoning codes.

STATE: At the State level, its POCD is much broader in scope. State POCD recommendations guide major state initiatives and local and regional projects involving state funding in excess of $200,000.

REGIONAL: The Regional Plan falls between the two, more specific than the State Plan and more general than the local plans. Furthermore, State statutes require a review of consistency between a municipal plan and regional and state POCD’s. Because the municipal plan is connected to zoning, it is typically the most influential. For this reason, the Regional POCD places a great deal of emphasis on local plans and zoning.

When will you update the POCD?

The NVCOG staff and Regional Planning Commission is currently in the process of reviewing the three regional POCD’s to create one new NVCOG POCD. Please check back to this page for NVCOG POCD progress updates and latest drafts.

I want to tell you what I think about the Regional POCD’s!

And we want to hear from you! We are in the process of creating an online survey and setting a schedule for public workshops and informational meetings.

Study Materials

Tab Content

Staff Contact:

Joanna Rogalski
Senior Regional Planner
jrogalski@nvcogct.gov

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NRG Thomaston – Watertown Design & Construction

The Towns of Thomaston and Watertown received a federal Recreational Trails Program grant through the CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to design and construct a trailhead parking area and short section of Naugatuck River Greenway (NRG) trail in Thomaston and to design critical features along the future NRG route in Watertown. NVCOG is administering the grant on behalf of the towns, and Vanasse Hangen Brustlin (VHB) is the project engineer. The project is part of the larger 44-mile NRG trail that is planned to follow the Naugatuck River from Torrington to Derby.

The original purpose of the project was to design and construct a trailhead and trail on town property in Thomaston adjacent to the town water pollution control and animal control facilities connecting to an existing historic trolley bridge over Branch Brook, and design critical features including drainage and rail separation for a trail to be constructed in the future in Watertown. Investigation into the reuse of the Trolley Bridge revealed that it would be more cost effective to construct a new crossing. The scope was altered to use the limited construction funds to fully design a new crossing full design of a new crossing of Branch Brook.

The trail segment and trailhead parking in Thomaston will provide access to the NRG, Mattatuck and Branch Brook Trails via a new pedestrian bridge over Branch Brook that was designed as part of this project. Thomaston and Watertown each applied for Local Transportation Capital Improvement Program (LoTCIP) funding to construct sections of the NRG Trail in the respective towns.