New Survey for the West Main Street Corridor Study in Waterbury

West Main Street going east facing the Green

NVCOG, in coordination with the City of Waterbury and the CT Department of Transportation, is studying the corridor of West Main Street from the underpass of Route 8 to the Waterbury Green. The intent of the study is to develop a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities of this stretch of road to develop solutions that improve safety for all users including pedestrians, cyclists, public transit riders, and drivers.

As part of this process, we’d like to gather feedback from the public to provide a unique perspective on how the roadway is currently used and how it could better serve your needs in the future.

Please answer the following questions and check out our project website for more information! https://www.westmainstudy.com/

 

Survey in English or Encuesta en Español

 


TOD Economic Opportunities Webinar Informs Local Leaders of Tools for Possibilities

Anosnia Train Station

As part of the Route 8 and Waterbury Branch Line Corridor TOD and Alternative Modes Project, the NVCOG, and its consultant team of AECOM and CDM Smith, is investigating how to improve service on the Waterbury Rail Line and assessing the opportunities for creating Transit-Oriented Developments (TOD) in the vicinity of the Waterbury rail line stations. To date, the project team has looked at the existing conditions along the Waterbury rail line, interviewed passengers to get their opinions on current service and what is needed, held a series of TOD opportunity workshops in WRL host communities, developed a recommended rail improvement program and assessed the possibility of implementing a bus rapid transit (BRT) system within the Route 8 corridor. To learn more about the project and view published documents, please visit the project website at rt8corridorstudy.com.

The webinar was open to municipal officials, city/town planners, economic development staff,  commission members, and other elected officials with the public able to watch a live stream. While the focus is on the Waterbury rail line corridor and the host communities, this tool may be of interest to other cities and towns and we are encouraging anyone interested to view a recording of this webinar on the NVCOG YouTube Channel.

Presentation Slides

Any public comment can be submitted to Mark Nielsen at (203) 757-5305 or mnielsen@nvcogct.gov

New Website for Waterbury West Main Street Corridor Study!

West Main Street going east facing the Green

The Project Team, including the City of Waterbury, NVCOG, CTDOT, and consultants Fuss & O’Neil and Fitzgerald & Halliday, have launched www.westmainstudy.com to provide easy access to project developments, documents, events, and public input. The intent of the study is to develop a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities of this stretch of road to develop solutions that improve safety for all users including pedestrians, cyclists, public transit riders, and drivers.

An interactive map will allow you to pinpoint locations that have issues related to mobility along West Main Street. The mapping tool also allows you to provide comments associated with those locations. Your input will guide the Project Team in identifying existing issues and needed improvements within the study area.

Also, follow the West Main Street Corridor Study on Facebook!

CT Planning Regions Proposed to Become County Equivalents

OPM COG Map

The State of Connecticut has requested, and the U.S. Census Bureau has proposed the addition of Connecticut’s Planning Regions to its list of geographic units that are treated as county equivalents for statistical purposes. This will align Census Bureau tabulations with the nine Planning Regions established and used by the State of Connecticut for the Regional Councils of Governments (COGs). The State’s eight counties ceased to function as governmental and administrative entities in 1960.

The proposal will put Connecticut on a level playing field with other states by:

  • Aligning data released by the Census Bureau with the Planning Regions used by the state rather than with defunct, historical geographies. This will improve the ability to use census data for planning and decision-making.
  • Allowing more entities in Connecticut to apply for competitive federal grants. Often federal grant programs are designed for and around counties. The lack of regional geographies recognized as county-equivalents by the Census Bureau makes cities and towns in Connecticut ineligible to apply for many federal grants that are limited to counties. Planning Region county equivalency will allow municipalities to more easily collaborate on federal grants submitted through their COGs, eliminating redundant grant administration and potentially leading to more competitive applications.

This has no effect on the current standing of counties and the home-rule of local government in Connecticut. More information on county equivalency can be found in:

Connecticut Office of Policy and Management (OPM) Press Release

OPM County Equilvalency Story Map

Federal Register (includes a link to submit public comments)

The Federal Register 60-day comment period will run to February 12, 2021. The expectation is that, following the public comment period, the proposal would be adopted and go into effect for all official Census Bureau statistical and geospatial data products starting in 2023.

 

Regional Recreation Guide now available online!

Image of the Regional Recreation Guide with displayed features.

Connecticut Community Foundation logo

NVCOG received a grant from the Connecticut Community Foundation to create an online application that allows the public to easily find places in the Naugatuck Valley region where they can participate in low-cost or no-cost physical activities to promote a healthy lifestyle.  Information on more than 20 types of physical activities, such as playgrounds, baseball, and tennis are included. Works in all internet browsers on desktop and mobile devices.

Here is the link to the online interactive NVCOG Regional Recreation Guide.

Regional Recreation Guide

 

 

Kick-Off Meeting for the West Main Street Corridor Study in Waterbury

Road work ahead sign

On behalf of the City of Waterbury, the Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments is conducting a virtual public workshop to discuss improvements that are needed to West Main Street in Waterbury between Route 8 and the Green. Please join us for an online discussion to learn about the goals and objectives of the West Main Street Corridor Study and to share your thoughts on how traffic, walking, biking, and bus access can be improved along the corridor.

Register to participate in the meeting at https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/6871735879652304143
Or join by audio by dialing 1-631-992-3221 and access code 942-927-244

Currently, we are in the “Existing Conditions” phase of the project, collecting data and input to learn as much as we can about the challenges and opportunities of this corridor.

 

Regional Brownfields Partnership Annual Meeting

Waterbury, CT at the Matthews And Willard Factory Site

Thank you to everyone who attended the Virtual Regional Brownfields Partnership Annual Meeting that was held Friday, December 4, 2020, from 10 am to 12 pm.

Speakers included Marisa Chrysochoou, Associate Professor and Director of UConn’s CT Brownfield Initiative, Jim Bryne, Brownfields Coordinator from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 1, and Graham Stevens from CT DEEP.

See below for links to all presentations.

A full recording is available on the NVCOG YouTube Channel

RBP Annual Meeting Agenda

NVCOG’s Presentation

UCONN’s CT Brownfield Initiative Presentation

EPA Region 1 Presentation

CT DEEP Presentation

Read more about the Regional Brownsfield Partnership and the NVCOG Brownfields Program.

Public Information Meeting for Spot Improvements Route 67 in Seymour

Road work ahead sign

For Immediate Release: October 30, 2020
Updated: November 19, 2020
 

Contacts: 
Mark Nielsen
Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments
(203) 757-0535
mnielsen@nvcogct.gov   

 

VIRTUAL PUBLIC INFORMATION MEETING 

STATE PROJECT NO. 124-165 

 ROUTE 67(BANK STREET) SPOT IMPROVEMENTS 

SEYMOUR, CONNECTICUT
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2020 

 

The Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments (NVCOG) held a virtual public information meeting to present preliminary design plans on Spot Improvements to Route 67 (Bank Street), in The Town of Seymour. The public meeting was held on Monday, November 16, 2020. The meeting was held online via Zoom beginning at 6 pm. The intent of the meeting was to provide residents and other interested persons an opportunity to learn about the design and proposed improvements and understand the project timeline. A presentation was made, after which there was a question and answer period.  To view the recording of this meeting and review the presentation, please visit the Route 67 (Bank St) Spot Improvements project webpage.

It is NVCOG’s and the State’s policy to keep persons informed about and involved with ongoing road improvement projects. It is important that the community share its concerns to assist in the project’s development.  

 The intent of the project is to improve traffic, pedestrian flow, and safety along the section of Route 67 (Bank Street) between River Street/Franklin Street and Klarides Village and is a continuation of the planning effort completed in 2017. The firm of Milone and MacBroom is designing the improvements under contract to the NVCOG. Construction will be advertised and administrated by the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT).  The project will include: 

Route 67 and River Street/Franklin Street Intersection 
Improve pedestrian crossings 
Widen northbound River Street approach to extend the left-turn lane onto Route 67
Make sidewalk connection from River Street to the south side of Route 67 

Route 67 between River Street/Franklin Street Intersection and Old Drive East
Widen Route 67 to provide adequate storage on northbound and southbound dedicated turn lanes and 5-foot shoulders
Widen north side of Route 67 to extend the two westbound departure lanes past Martha Street to the Walgreens Intersection.
Reconstruct stone masonry retaining wall at 100 Bank Street.
Construct new retaining wall between Martha Street and Walgreen’s driveway.
Install new traffic signal equipment.
Install new sidewalks, pedestrian accommodations, and lighting. 

 Route 67 at Walgreens Driveway
Widen Route 67 to provide a westbound dedicated right and extended right turn lane in addition to the single through lane.
Upgrade traffic signal to accommodate geometric changes at the intersection.
Implement revised signal timings. 

 Route 67 at Old Drive West
Upgrade the existing traffic signal with new pedestrian equipment.
Revised phasing to include an exclusive pedestrian phase. 

Route 67 at Klarides Village Unsignalized
Add westbound left turn lane into the driveway.
Modify driveway to prohibit left turns onto Route 67. 

 Route 67 at Beecher Street and Church Street
Reconfigure the intersection to better direct and channelize the turning movements. 

 Route 313 (River Street)
Widen River Street to provide additional storage and queuing lengths for the northbound travel lanes.
Widen bridge over Little River to provide a new sidewalk along the western side of River Street connecting to the existing Route 67 sidewalks. 

 Additional Traffic Signal Timing Improvements
Timing improvements throughout the corridor. 

Improve Pedestrian Connection to Downtown
Improve lighting and hardscape under Route 8.

Based on the preliminary design, the construction cost will be approximately $6,100,000. The Federal Highway Administration will provide 80% of the construction cost with the State providing 20%. 

The public informational meeting was held to afford an opportunity for public participation and allow open discussion of any views and comments the community may have concerning this proposed project. 

 Persons with limited internet access may request project information be mailed to them by calling  (203489-0369 or emailing  mnielsen@nvcogct.gov(Allow one week for processing and delivery.) 

 There will be a 14day comment period following the meeting.  Individuals may leave a question or comment via email/phone at ksvetz@nvcogct.gov and (203) 489-0374.

Governor Lamont Extends the COVID-19 Executive Orders to February 9, 2021

Governor Lamont today issued Executive Order No. 9L which extends the COVID-19 Executive Orders to February 9, 2021, including Executive Orders affecting municipalities, including the following:

EO 7BSuspension of In-Person Open Meeting Requirements – Allows state and municipal agencies to hold remote meetings by conference call, video conference or other technology, to take actions authorized by law.

EO 7S.7Suspension of In-Person Voting Requirements for Critical and Time Sensitive Municipal Fiscal Deadlines – This includes any supplemental, additional or special appropriations under Section 7-348 of the Connecticut General Statutes or comparable provisions of any special act, municipal charter or ordinance, (ii) any tax anticipation notes to be issued under Section 7-405a of the Connecticut General Statutes or comparable provisions of any special act, municipal charter or ordinance, or (iii) municipal general obligation bonds or notes to be issued in anticipation of such bonds to be issued for capital improvement purposes.

EO 71.16Suspension of In-Person Filing Requirements related to Municipal Planning Assessment and Taxation Provisions.

EO 9HHybrid Municipal Meetings – Expressly authorizes municipal agencies to hold hybrid remote/in-person meetings. Download COST’s Summary here.

Note: Executive Orders that are limited in duration are NOT extended, including provisions in EO 7I suspending in-person budget adoption requirements for municipalities and regional boards of education, which are only applicable to budgets for FY July 1, 2020 – June 30, 2021. In addition, Executive Order 7S.6 which required municipalities to offer taxpayers a 90-day deferment and/or low-interest rate on delinquent payments is not extended because it is limited in duration.

 

Oxford Route 67 Study Public Information Meeting and Public Input Opportunities

For Immediate Release: September 22, 2020

Contacts:
Aaron Budris
Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments
203-757-0535
abudris@nvcogct.org

Oxford Main Street Committee Announces Public Information Meeting

and Seeks Public Input on the Oxford Route 67 Alternative Transportation Study

The Oxford Main Street Project (OMSP) Committee has announced a virtual public meeting on October 8th at 7pm to hear about plans and progress along Route 67, and to provide input about ongoing projects. You can find meeting specifics at www.nvcogct.gov/event/oxfordmainstreet. The OMSP Committee has been working to make the Route 67 and Little River corridor pedestrian and bicycle friendly, and to provide better access to the businesses and natural resources throughout the corridor. In order to better inform and engage with the public on their progress, the committee has kicked off a new project visibility campaign to include enhanced public outreach and opportunities for residents to provide feedback. The Committee has started a new Facebook group that has grown to over 250 members, and residents are encouraged to join. Information about the OMSP Committee can be found at www.oxford-ct.gov/main-street-project-committee.

The OMSP Committee is overseeing the Oxford Route 67 Alternative Transportation Study that will be highlighted at the October 8th Meeting. The Study is building on the committee’s prior work to develop a cohesive plan for the entire corridor to better enable the Town to plan, prioritize, and fund future improvements. The planning study is being funded by the Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments (NVCOG) with federal transportation planning funds and is being conducted by TranSystems Corporation, a planning and engineering consultant with offices in Meriden, CT. The study is expected to be completed in Summer, 2021, when a report detailing final recommendations will be published.

Throughout the spring and summer, study partners collected and analyzed information about the existing conditions in the corridor, and they have begun investigating potential bicycle, pedestrian and transit improvements. The focus of these potential improvements will be to improve connections and transportation options to the Seymour sidewalk network, train station and Naugatuck River Greenway Trail to the south, and the Larkin Bridle Trail to the north, as well as to all of the businesses, services, green spaces, and residential areas within the corridor. The potential for transit service is also being investigated, focusing on connections to services and major residential and commercial centers and to surrounding communities.

While the Covid-19 Pandemic has altered public outreach for the study, there will still be numerous opportunities for residents and businesses to provide input. Public input will be gathered at and following the Virtual public Meeting on October 8th and comments can be left at any time through the study webpage at www.nvcogct.gov/oxfordroute67. Residents and business owners are also encouraged to complete a short survey that can be found on the webpage.

Oxford prioritized creating more of a downtown feel along Route 67 in the Town’s Plan of Conservation and Development. Unlike many of its neighbors, Oxford does not have a typical walkable New England downtown or Main Street. Instead, municipal and commercial areas are dispersed along with residences along State Route 67. Although Route 67 is fundamentally Oxford’s “Main Street,” it currently has no sidewalks or any safe bicycle or pedestrian access, and traffic speeds can be excessive with no visual cues to alert motorists that they are driving through an area where they may encounter walkers or bicyclists. In addition, no public transit is operated along Route 67 that could provide residents an alternative transportation option. Transit options by train on Metro North and by bus on CT Transit are available only one mile from the Oxford town line, but there is currently no way for Oxford residents to safely access these services without a personal motor vehicle.

Kathleen O’Neil, Oxford Grant Administrator and Chair of the Oxford Main Street Committee explained that “Oxford residents have said they want pedestrian and bicycle access along the Little River and Route 67. We are very excited to share progress toward that goal, and to give the public a chance to help guide and contribute to future work”.

Discussing the Oxford Route 67 Alternative Transportation Study, TranSystems Project Manager Casey Hardin said that, “This is a tremendous opportunity to build off the excellent work that the Oxford Main Street Committee has completed over the last several years. We are aiming to create a multimodal master plan for the corridor that can encourage sustainable transportation and growth in the Town for years to come.”

Artist rendering of possible revisions to Oxford’s Route 67/Little River Corridor. Residents will have the opportunity to provide feedback and learn details of plans for the corridor during an October 8 virtual meeting.