PRESS RELEASE: Mad River Watershed-Based Plan Public Meeting Waterbury, Wolcott, and Bristol

For Immediate Release: November 13, 2025

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

Mad River Watershed-Based Plan Public Meeting Waterbury, Wolcott, and Bristol

WATERBURY, CT – The Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments (NVCOG), City of Waterbury, Town of Wolcott, and City of Bristol invite the public to learn about the Mad River Watershed at a hybrid meeting scheduled for Tuesday, December 2, 2025, at 6:00 PM.

These local and regional governments are collaborating to develop a Watershed Based Plan (WBP) for the Mad River. The WBP will identify the reasons for water quality challenges in the watershed, suggest solutions to improve water quality in the lakes and the river, and position the communities for accessing grants for projects that help foster a healthy watershed.

The watershed contains many prominent water resources such as Scovill Reservoir, Chestnut Hill Reservoir, Cedar Lake, Hitchcock Lake, and Lily Brook. The Mad River flows by key cultural and economic assets such as the Seven Angels Theater and the Brass Mill Center.

This project is funded, in part, by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and is administered by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.

NVCOG would like to hear from residents and stakeholders who live, work, or use parks and lakes for recreation throughout the Mad River watershed. An in-person public information meeting and listening session is scheduled for Tuesday, December 2, at 6:00 PM in the NVCOG office at 49 Leavenworth Street, 3rd Floor, Waterbury, CT. The office is accessible from all bus routes stopping at the Waterbury Green, as well as the Waterbury Rail Line. People who wish to attend remotely can register for a Zoom link at https://bit.ly/49cVEjk.

For additional information and project updates, visit: https://nvcogct.gov/project/madriver/.

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.

Community Planning Newsletter Fall 2025

Quarterly Updates

The NVCOG Community Planning Division published the fall 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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Sustainability Spotlight: Powering Connecticut with Solar Canopies

With the adoption of renewable energy steadily growing in Connecticut, municipalities and environmentalists have raised concerns over the clear-cutting of forests to accommodate solar farms. While the state already has over 1,000 MW of solar capacity installed, but it must add significantly more to reach its goal of 100% renewable electricity by 2040.

One solution? over developed land, such as parking lots or brownfields. These installations can help reduce reliance on fossil fuels, conserve energy, and make better use of underutilized spaces.

A solar canopy at Brass City Mall in Waterbury provides electricity for EVs.

Legislative Support for Solar Canopies

During the 2025 legislative session, the General Assembly passed Public Act 25-125, part of which called for the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) to develop a solar canopy strategic plan. 

The plan is slated to:

  • Promote solar canopy adoption
  • Identify opportunities for installations
  • Prioritize environmental justice communities

Benefits for Public and Private Properties

Solar canopies are versatile and beneficial for both private and public properties.

  • Large retail uses, like shopping centers or supermarkets, often have ideal parking lots for canopies due to their size.
  • Public facilities, like schools and community centers make excellent use of canopy installations.

Canopies not only capture solar energy but protect parked cars from accumulating snow in the winter or heating up in the summer. When combined with electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, they can also provide 100% renewable vehicle fuel, whereas charging stations drawing from the electrical grid would be fed by roughly 65% fossil fuel sources.

Solar canopies offer a middle ground between roof-mounted (which generally have limited capacity due to roof sizes) and ground-mounted (which often require clear-cutting or destroying habitat) solar installations. Canopies also generate power near which reduces the need for costly transmission infrastructure and electricity losses. Investing in solar canopies can preserve valuable habitat without sacrificing clean energy.

PACE’s map of solar canopy potential across the state.

Potential in Connecticut

Interested in what solar canopies might look like in your community? The Connecticut-based nonprofit People’s Action for Clean Energy (PACE) undertook an initiative to estimate the solar canopy capacity that could be installed in parking lots across the state. Significant potential exists along the Route 8 and I-84 corridors that run through the Naugatuck Valley region. Dataset: Solar Canopies – 100PercentCT – PACE. 

PA 25-125 suggests the possibility of a solar canopy “program” to advance the outcomes of the strategic plan. Communities should consider which sites could make strong candidates for future grant applications.

Further Reading

The solar canopy strategic plan is just one outcome from the 2025 legislative session. For a full list of all Public Acts related to environmental issues, see this document: 2025AA-0110_2025 Acts Affecting Environment.pdf

Contact Us

The “Sustainability Spotlight” provides readers with ideas on how to incorporate sustainability into your land use regulations. Questions? Contact Christine O’Neill.

People Behind the Plans: Lori Rotella, Naugatuck Town Planner and Wetlands Enforcement Officer

Lori Rotella, photo taken at Silas Bronson Library
Q: What is your professional role and what is your interest in participating with the NVRPOCD Steering Committee? 

Since 2017, I’ve been the Town Planner and Wetlands Enforcement Officer for Naugatuck, after working in the Land Use Office starting in 2015. Before that, I was a full-time Realtor with Coldwell Banker Realty 2000 for many years, starting in 2001. I was eager to join the NVRPOCD Steering Committee because I strongly believe in working together. I’ve found that actively participating and collaborating, much like I did to learn real estate quickly, is the best way to gain knowledge and make a real impact. I see this as a great chance to connect with regional planning experts, learn more efficiently, understand our common objectives better, and truly help the committee. 

Q: What does the Naugatuck Valley Region mean to you?

The Naugatuck Valley is deeply tied to my family’s history and my own. I’ve lived here most of my life, including the last 34 years in a Naugatuck home my family has owned since 1921. Raising my sons here as the fifth generation in that house really shows how connected my family is to this area. I also have fond memories of downtown Waterbury’s past, especially Holland Hughes, a store that was a true community hub. It sold everything from clothes to appliances and even let people pay bills, which really showed the Valley’s strong community spirit and self-reliance back then. For me, the Naugatuck Valley is my family’s story. 

Q: Why is the RPOCD important to you? 

I find the Regional Plan of Conservation and Development (RPOCD) to be a vital tool. It’s basically a step-by-step guide for how a region intends to use its land, keep its environment healthy, and boost its economy. Here in the Naugatuck Valley, this plan is especially helpful because it helps our towns work together on development. This leads to balanced growth, protects our natural resources, and makes our residents’ lives better. All in all, it’s vital for building a strong and well-organized future for our area. 

Q: Can you share any standout experiences or insights from your time on the Steering Committee? 

While there isn’t one “standout” moment, I’ve found it really insightful to see how the Regional Plan of Conservation and Development (RPOCD) process differs from my experience with Naugatuck’s town plan. Working on the Steering Committee has given me a new perspective. I’ve seen a broader approach to planning that I believe would have significantly improved how my town’s plan was developed. This regional perspective offers valuable lessons in collaboration and long-term vision, which I now see as crucial for effective planning at any level. It’s truly a valuable learning experience that highlights the benefits of a wider, more integrated approach. 

Q: Is there anything else you’d like to share about the regional plan?  

I’m genuinely excited about this Regional Plan of Conservation and Development! It’s the very first one since our regional planning agencies merged. This means the Valley Council of Governments, the Council of Governments of the Central Naugatuck Valley, and the Central Connecticut Regional Planning Agency consolidated in 2025. This combined group gives the region a stronger, more unified voice. It helps the towns work together better and create a shared goal, even though each town is unique. We expect this teamwork to lead to smarter growth, better protection for our natural spaces, and a more lasting future for the whole Naugatuck Valley. It’s a truly exciting time for planning in our area! 

Q: Outside of your role, do you have any personal interests or hobbies that inspire your perspective on the regional plan?  

I really like going to plays at local theaters. I find the buildings, especially old ones, very interesting; they help define a town and bring people together. Exploring new restaurants also shows me how strong and diverse the local economy is. These hobbies highlight the vibrant, welcoming places I believe the Regional Plan should create—places people want to be. 

Contact Us

The “People Behind the Plans” spotlight features dedicated planners, land use staff, and administrators shaping the region. Are you interested in being interviewed? Would you like to nominate a colleague? Contact Savannah-Nicole (SN) Villalba.

PRESS RELEASE: Public Invited to Review Sewer Siphon Relocation Plans in Seymour

For Immediate Release: November 3, 2025

Contact:
Craig Stevenson
Project Manager
Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments
860-306-8325
cstevenson@nvcogct.gov

Public Invited to Review Sewer Siphon Relocation Plans in Seymour

Seymour, CT – The Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments (NVCOG), in coordination with the Seymour Water Pollution Control Authority (WPCA), will host a public information meeting to review and receive feedback on the proposed relocation of two sewer siphons that convey untreated wastewater to the Seymour Wastewater Treatment Facility.

The meeting will be held on Monday, November 17, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. in the Norma Drummer Room of Seymour Town Hall,1 First Street, Seymour, Connecticut. Those interested in a virtual option can join the meeting using the link: https://bit.ly/ssrp-111725. Individuals with limited internet access can listen to the meeting by calling +1 929 205 6099 and entering the Meeting ID when prompted: 882 0784 2649. Members of the public, local officials, and stakeholders are encouraged to attend and provide input.

The sewer siphon relocation is a required component of the Kinneytown Dam removal and restoration of that segment of the Naugatuck River. NVCOG has retained CDM Smith to design and engineer the relocation and installation of the new siphons. The estimated $11 million project is part of the overall Kinneytown Dam removal and river restoration effort and will not be funded by the Town of Seymour or the Seymour Water Pollution Control Authority (WPCA).

CDM Smith has completed preliminary design work and developed three alternative concepts for the siphon relocation. These alternatives will be presented during the public meeting for review and discussion. Feedback received will help inform the selection of a preferred design alternative.

Following the WPCA’s formal receipt of the draft plans at its November 3, 2025, meeting, this public session will serve as the final opportunity for stakeholder input prior to the WPCA’s anticipated consideration and possible adoption of a preferred alternative at its December 1, 2025, meeting.

For additional information and project updates, visit: https://nvcogct.gov/project/kinneytown-dam-removal-seymour-sewer-siphon-relocation/.

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.

Welcome to New NVCOG Staff

The Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments is excited to welcome two new staff members who will support regional projects that benefit our 19 member municipalities.  Learn more about them below!

Lana Harrison, Senior Community Planner

Lana Harrison received a Bachelor of Arts in International Politics from the University of California, San Diego. She worked in a variety of communications roles before changing careers and receiving a Masters of Urban Planning from Hunter College.

Lana is passionate about how we design and sustain our natural and built environments so that every community can thrive. She will assist NVCOG with regional and municipal comprehensive planning efforts.

Interests

Lana enjoys hiking, exploring urban parks, roller blading, and time spent with friends.

Tim Nolan, Data Scientist

Tim Nolan joins NVCOG as a Data Scientist, bringing expertise in statistical modeling, machine learning, and data visualization. He holds an M.S. in Computational Neuroscience from Carnegie Mellon University and dual B.S. degrees from the University of Connecticut in Biomedical Engineering and Neuroscience.

Tim collaborates with subject matter experts to identify and integrate diverse data sources into actionable reports, dashboards, and visualizations for government officials and the public.

Through his work, Tim helps ensure that NVCOG’s plans and policies are grounded in rigorous analysis and best practices, supporting equitable and data-driven decision-making across the region.

Interests

Tim enjoys playing chess, practicing Spanish and French, and going on long hikes with his husky, Kemba.

PRESS RELEASE: In-Person & Virtual Public Meetings to Discuss Route 64 Corridor Study Existing Conditions Report

For Immediate Release: September 23, 2025

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

In-Person & Virtual Public Meetings to Discuss Route 64 Corridor Study Existing Conditions Report

Middlebury, CT – The Town of Middlebury and the Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments (NVCOG) invite residents, business owners, and stakeholders to attend a public meeting for the ongoing Route 64 Corridor Study. The purpose of this meeting is to present the Existing Conditions Report, prepared by the project’s consulting team, BETA Group, Inc., and to gather public input. The meeting will take place on October 7, 2025, at 6 pm, in a hybrid format, offering both in-person and Zoom participation.

The existing conditions report provides a comprehensive overview of the current transportation network, land use, environmental landscape, and infrastructure conditions along the corridor. BETA Group, Inc., will present key findings through a slide presentation, followed by opportunities for questions and public comments.

Meeting Details:
• Date & Time: Tuesday, October 7, 2025, at 6 pm
• Location: Shepardson Community Center Auditorium, 1172 Whittemore Rd, Middlebury
• Zoom Option: https://bit.ly/pm-rt64

NVCOG, in collaboration with the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) and the Town of Middlebury, began the assessment of safety along Route 64 in Middlebury in January of this year, focusing on enhancing pedestrian and bicyclist connections and access throughout the corridor. The Corridor Study is now at its midway point, with an expected conclusion in Spring 2026. Public input will help guide the next phases of the study, including the development of future alternative recommendations.

For more information about the Route 64 Corridor Study and to view the Existing Conditions Report, visit https://nvcogct.gov/middlebury-rt64.

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

For Immediate Release: August 28, 2025

Contact:
Christine O’Neill, AICP
Senior Environmental Planner
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 on September 9, 10, and 11 to review designs for nine culvert and drainage projects across the region. NVCOG has been working with local governments in Ansonia, Middlebury, Naugatuck, Oxford, Seymour, Shelton, Thomaston, Waterbury, and Wolcott to design upgrades for failing culverts & drainage systems that cause flooding. These hybrid meetings will offer participation options for community members to attend in-person or virtually on Zoom. NVCOG will share the preliminary designs that have been developed based on site visits, hydrologic studies, and public input from meetings in December 2024.

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 implementation 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 areas across the region. NVCOG has worked with Luchs, a local engineering firm, to study these areas, design preliminary solutions, and identify federal funding sources for implementation. Additionally, NVCOG partnered with the environmental nonprofit Save the Sound to conduct aquatic organism passage assessments, ensuring that the improved road-stream crossings work for wildlife as well as people.

Ansonia & Shelton Projects

A public meeting regarding preliminary designs and associated reports for Ansonia (Prindle Ave, Doyle Dr, Benz St) and Shelton (Oak Ave, Congress St, Union St, Center St) will be held:

  • Date: Tuesday, September 9, 2025
  • Time: 6 PM – Shelton project discussion; 6:30 PM – Ansonia project discussion
  • Location: City Hall Auditorium, 54 Hill Street, Shelton
  • Those interested in a virtual option can find more information and ways to join the meeting virtually through the link here: https://nvcogct.gov/event/as-090925/.

Middlebury, Thomaston, Waterbury & Wolcott Projects

A public meeting regarding preliminary designs and associated reports 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, September 10, 2025
  • 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 Fl), Waterbury
  • Those interested in a virtual option can find more information and ways to join the meeting virtually through the link here: https://nvcogct.gov/event/mtww-91025/.

Naugatuck, Oxford & Seymour Projects

A public meeting regarding preliminary designs and associated reports 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, September 11, 2025
  • 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
  • Those interested in a virtual option can find more information and ways to join the meeting virtually through the link here: https://nvcogct.gov/event/nos-091125/.

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

PRESS RELEASE: CTDOT Announces the Long-Term Vision for the Replacement of the Waterbury Mixmaster

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

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) today announced the long-term vision for the replacement of the Interstate 84 (I-84) and Route 8 Interchange in Waterbury, also known as the “Mixmaster.”

After reviewing and analyzing multiple potential options, the two advancing alternatives are the Modern Crossover Interchange and Naugatuck River Shift. Both alternatives aim to improve safety and mobility on I-84 and Route 8, as well as improve multimodal connections within the surrounding roadway network. In both alternatives, the I-84 and Route 8 structures would be unstacked and reconstructed with an expected lifespan of over 75 years.

“The Mixmaster was once a modern engineering marvel but today, it no longer meets the needs of travelers and the greater-Waterbury community. We’re excited to move this plan forward, which was based on what we heard directly from residents and businesses. This transformative initiative will change how people safely and conveniently travel through and around Waterbury,” said Connecticut Department of Transportation Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto. “Progress takes patience, and while this work will take decades to fully complete, we are committed to improving lives through transportation by implementing, and completing, certain projects within the next five years.”

This plan originated through the New Mix Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) Study. Over the last several years, strategies for improving transportation for all users were identified in alignment with the City’s economic and developmental goals. These analyses, along with extensive public outreach and input, identified the two alternatives which are advancing for further study.

The public can learn more about these alternatives by visiting the Project Alternatives page on the study website.

In addition to the two alternatives for the future replacement of the Mixmaster, the PEL Study also identified breakout projects, including some that have been constructed and several that are in various stages of conceptual development and design. These breakouts are independent projects improving safety and mobility for the surrounding transportation network, while the state and federal environmental review and design of the interchange advance.

Through the PEL process, CTDOT was charged with developing a vision for the future of the interchange and surrounding transportation network to address the transportation needs and goals of the community. As projects continue to be designed and implemented, additional public outreach will be conducted.

For more information, to sign up for project updates, and newsletters, visit NewMixWaterbury.com

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

Twitter: @CTDOTOfficial
Facebook: Connecticut Department of Transportation

People Behind the Plans: Andrew Martelli, Town of Cheshire Assistant Town Manager

Q: What is your professional role and what is your interest in participating with the NVRPOCD Steering Committee?

I’m currently the Assistant Town Manager for the Town of Cheshire. I began my employment with the town in August of 2021, originally being hired as the Coordinator of Economic Development. Prior to coming to Cheshire, I worked for a non-profit affordable housing developer based in New Haven, developing quality affordable housing in communities across Connecticut.  I began my professional career as an intern with the Waterbury Development Corporation (WDC) in increasingly important roles within that organization. I have always had a keen sense of the built environment and throughout my career, I have been able to watch the Naugatuck Valley Region grow and develop, and I want to have a seat at the table as we plan its future. This region has always been my home, and I look forward to its exciting future.

Q: What does the Naugatuck Valley Region mean to you?

The Naugatuck Valley Region has always been home to me. My family originally immigrated from Italy and settled in Waterbury working in manufacturing. Both my mother and father’s family lived in Waterbury, worked within its borders either in manufacturing or for the city and attended both public and private schools here.  Growing up, I would hear my relatives’ stories about the golden years of Waterbury – the bustle, energy, and strong sense of community and pride. I witnessed firsthand as the factories began to close, and the sites were cleared to build Waterbury and the Regions’ future.  I was lucky to have played a role in the redevelopment of several sites helping to give back to this region.

Q: Why is the RPOCD important to you?

The RPOCD is important to me as it will be the foundational document to help shape the region’s future. Each of the 19 municipalities that comprise the region have their own Plans of Conservation & Development that guide development within their borders. Each of our member communities are unique within their own right. This document will take each of the unique characteristics and develop a common theme, a common plan that considers how each “piece” of the overall “whole” can work together to support each other, to support the region, and its future. This might be conservation, housing initiatives, transportation improvements, quality of life etc. As unique as each municipality might be, we are certainly in this together and are stronger as a whole – a cohesive region working toward a common goal.

Q: Can you share any standout experiences or insights from your time on the Steering Committee?

Serving as the Chair of the Steering Committee has been a rewarding experience for me. It is not often that you are able to be at the “table” with a representative of each of the communities of the region. It is interesting to hear from each community and how there certainly are common themes. One thing I would point to is when we were having the discussion on housing. It was clear to me that we all are facing issues with housing although different, but nonetheless housing issues are a common theme. Residents in Cheshire are facing housing “fatigue” whereas many think we have approved too many new housing units. Some of our counterpart communities feel they are facing a housing shortage. It was interesting to hear the differences within the same topic of housing from one town to the next.

Q: Is there anything else you’d like to share about the regional plan?

I would like to share that the plan and its development is an exciting opportunity for the region. The region has changed considerably over the past ten years and will change dramatically in the next ten. Helping to guide thoughtful changes while preserving the sense of place and encouraging quality development is crucial to the area’s future. We are lucky to call this area home, and it is our current role as stewards of this region to leave it better than we found it. I know we will do just that!

Q: Outside of your role, do you have any personal interests or hobbies that inspire your perspective on the regional plan?

I’m all over the region! From visiting local breweries, hiking in our open spaces or just taking a cruise around the woodsy corners of the region – I love this area and Connecticut generally. You can often find me out with my daughter or friends grabbing a bite in Southbury, a show in Waterbury or a beer in Naugatuck, I certainly don’t spend my days only in Cheshire, as much as I love my hometown – the bedding plant capital of the world!

Contact Us

The “People Behind the Plans” spotlight features dedicated planners, land use staff, and administrators shaping the region. Are you interested in being interviewed? Would you like to nominate a colleague? Contact Savannah-Nicole (SN) Villalba.