New Staff to Support Regional Projects

The Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments (NVCOG) employs dedicated staff to support regional projects that benefit our 19 member municipalities. We are excited to welcome three new staff members who will contribute their expertise to our ongoing efforts. Learn more about them below!

Nicole Sullivan, Sustainable Communities Planner

Nicole Sullivan received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Connecticut and studied at University College Dublin in Ireland. She began her career at the Western Connecticut Council of Governments, where she developed her professional skillset.

Nicole has experience in communications and project management, as well as a strong understanding of federal, state, and local policies related to transportation.

As a Sustainable Communities Planner, she will focus on transit-oriented development initiatives to create more connected and vibrant communities.

Interests

Nicole values outdoor experiences and travel.

Danny Thomas, GIS Analyst

Danny Thomas joins NVCOG as a GIS Analyst in the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Data Division. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Forest Resource Management from Clemson University. Originally from South Carolina, he gained a passion for geospatial data during his time as a forestry and natural resource professional in Connecticut.

As a GIS Analyst, he brings his enthusiasm for mapmaking to his work in spatial data management and map development.

Interests

Danny participates in hiking, camping, and golfing.

Demetre Coles, Community Planner

Demetre Coles was born and raised in Waterbury and has a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from King’s College, a Master of Science in Geography from Central Connecticut State University, and a Master’s in Public Administration from Post University.

He has several years of experience working with the homeless population, including veterans, helping them find suitable housing options in Connecticut and nationwide.

As a Community Planner, he will be focused on housing need assessments, affordable housing plans, and other housing-related initiatives to support municipalities.

Interests

Demetre enjoys traveling, watching movies, spending time with friends and family, and staying active.

PRESS RELEASE: Household Hazardous Waste and Paint Collection Scheduled for Saturday, April 12 in Naugatuck

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 17, 2025

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

Household Hazardous Waste and Paint Collection Scheduled for Saturday, April 12 in Naugatuck

Do you have paints, cleaners, and other chemicals in your home that you need to dispose of? The Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments (NVCOG) and participating municipalities will sponsor a Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) and Paint Collection event on Saturday, April 12, 2025. The collection will take place from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Naugatuck Transfer Station 34 Andrew Ave., Naugatuck, CT 06770.


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


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


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


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


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


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

PRESS RELEASE: Public Invited to I84 New Mix Waterbury PEL Study Open Houses

Click here to access the press release from the CTDOT.

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) will host the final series of public information meetings for the I-84 New Mix Waterbury Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) Study in March and April.

“The purpose of the New Mix Program is to address the long-term needs of the Interstate 84 and Route 8 interchange, which has long been a vital structure a part of the greater Waterbury transportation system,” said Connecticut Department of Transportation Project Manager Jonathan Dean. “The New Mix team will be sharing results from the study, including recommendations and final alternatives, reimagining the future of the Mixmaster. We encourage the local community use this opportunity to share feedback and ask questions regarding the program.”

 

In-Person Open Houses

Thursday, March 27, 2025, 4:30-6:30 p.m. 

John F. Kennedy High School, 422 Highland Ave

Wednesday, April 2, 2025, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Maloney Elementary School, 233 S Elm St

 

Virtual Open House

Tuesday, April 1, 2025, 12:00-1:30 p.m.

Register on Zoom: here

Those who attend an open house will have the opportunity to enter our drawings for multiple $25 gift cards.

The meeting will also be posted following the meeting on the  New Mix YouTube Channel and CTDOT’s virtual public meetings playlist.

Non-English language closed captioning will be available. A question and answer (Q&A) session will immediately follow the online presentation, which will be recorded. Instructions on how to provide comments and ask questions during the Zoom meeting will be provided at the beginning of the meeting.

Individuals with limited internet access can listen to the virtual meeting by calling (877) 853-5257 and entering Meeting ID 867 3982 7743. Individuals with hearing and/or speech disabilities may dial 711 for Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS).

Individuals with limited internet access can request project information be mailed to them within one week by contacting Jonathan Dean, P.E. at jonathan.dean@ct.gov or (860) 594-3211.

Language assistance may be requested by contacting the CTDOT Language Assistance Call Line (860) 594-2109. Requests should be made at least five business days prior to the meeting. Language assistance is provided at no cost to the public and efforts will be made to respond to timely requests for assistance.

Members of the public can submit comments and questions during the two-week public comment period following the meetings.

Please submit comments and questions by April 16, 2025:

Follow the New Mix Program on X, Facebook and Instagram., and sign up for email updates. 

Language assistance may be requested by contacting the CTDOT Language Assistance Call Line at (860) 594-2109. Requests should be made at least five business days prior to the meeting. Language assistance is provided at no cost, and efforts will be made to respond to timely requests for assistance.

Simplified Chinese | 如需更多信息或免费语言协助,请致电 (860) 594-2109.

Spanish | Para información adicional, o asistencia lingüística gratuita, por favor llame al (860) 594-2109.

Italian | Per informazioni aggiuntive o assistenza linguistica gratuita, chiamare il numero (860) 594-2109.

Portuguese | Para obter mais informações, ou para auxílio gratuito em outro idioma, ligue para (860) 594-2109.

Polish | Aby uzyskać dodatkowe informacje lub bezpłatną pomoc tłumacza, proszę dzwonić pod numer (860) 594-2109.

Russian | Для получения подробной информации или бесплатных услуг перевода звоните по телефону (860) 594-2109.

Haitian Creole ❘ Pou jwenn plis enfòmasyon, oswa asistans ak lang gratis, ranpri rele (860) 594-2109.

594-2109 (860) لمزيد من المعلومات أو للحصول على مساعدة لغوية مجانية، يرجى الاتصال بالرقم | Arabic

French | Si vous souhaitez en savoir plus ou bénéficier d’une assistance linguistique gratuite, merci de composer le numéro suivant (860) 594-2109.

Hindi | अधिक जानकारी या निःशुल्क भाषा संबंधी सहायता के लिए कृपया

Korean | 추가 정보가 필요하거나 무료 언어 지원이 필요하시면 (860) 594-2109로 전화주십시오.

Vietnamese | Để có thêm thông tin hoặc hỗ trợ ngôn ngữ miễn phí, vui lòng gọi (860) 594-2109.

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

Twitter: @CTDOTOfficial
Facebook: Connecticut Department of Transportation

PRESS RELEASE: NVCOG Releases Draft Congestion Management Process for Public Comment

For Immediate Release: March 5, 2025

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

NVCOG Releases Draft Congestion Management Process for Public Comment

Waterbury, CT – The Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments (NVCOG) has released the draft Congestion Management Process (CMP) for the Waterbury Urbanized Area, inviting public review and comment.

The Waterbury Urbanized Area was designated as a Transportation Management Area (TMA) by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) in October 2023. As required of 23 CFR 450.322, all TMAs must develop a CMP to systemically address and reduce traffic congestion while improving regional mobility. The CMP is a continuous, comprehensive strategy which guides multimodal transportation decision making within the Waterbury area. It is used regularly to inform decisions, prioritize projects, and ensure that the federal transportation planning process meets or exceeds federal standards.

The NVCOG encourages the public to participate in shaping this important document. A draft version of the document is available at https://nvcogct.gov/cmp. The public comment period is open from February 20, 2025, to March 22, 2025. Please send comments to rdonovan@nvcogct.gov or call (203) 757-0535 by March 22, 2025.

Community Planning Newsletter Winter 2025

Quarterly Updates

The NVCOG Community Planning Division published the winter 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.

View Newsletter

Subscribe

Subscribe to the NVCOG newsletter to receive quarterly updates.

PRESS RELEASE: NVCOG Seeks Public Input on Nondiscrimination & Public Participation Plans

For Immediate Release: February 12, 2025

Contact:  
Desira Blanchard
Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments     
203-489-0353
dblanchard@nvcogct.gov

NVCOG Seeks Public Input on Nondiscrimination & Public Participation Plans

Waterbury, CT – The Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments (NVCOG), the regional planning agency representing 19 towns in the Naugatuck Valley, is inviting the community to help shape the future of public engagement in the region. As part of an update to its Title VI Plan and Public Participation Plan, NVCOG is seeking feedback to ensure that its planning processes are inclusive, equitable, and accessible to all residents.

Title VI ensures that all programs, activities, and services comply with federal civil rights laws guaranteeing non-discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin. The Public Participation Plan outlines strategies to engage the public in the planning process, ensuring diverse voices are heard and represented.

Draft versions of both plans are available for public review at https://nvcogct.gov/project/title-vi-plan/.

The public comment period is open from February 12, 2025, to March 17, 2025. Written comments may be submitted via email to info@nvcogct.gov or mailed to the care of Rich Donovan, Transportation Planning Director, at the Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments, 49 Leavenworth Street, 3rd Floor, Waterbury, Connecticut 06702.

PRESS RELEASE: Public Meeting to Discuss Woodbury Route 6 Corridor Study

For Immediate Release: February 5, 2025

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

Public Meeting to Discuss Woodbury Route 6 Corridor Study

Woodbury, CT – The Town of Woodbury, AECOM, and the Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments (NVCOG) invite the community to a hybrid public meeting to update residents on the status of the Woodbury Route 6 Corridor Study. The purpose of the study is to develop actionable concepts to improve safety, particularly for pedestrians and cyclists, while supporting economic development and access to the Town’s historic districts.

The meeting will be held on February 18, 2025, at 6:00 PM at Woodbury Senior Community Center (281 Main Street South, Woodbury, CT). For those unable to join in person, please join using the Zoom link at https://bit.ly/woodbury-rt6. Individuals can listen to the meeting by calling +1 929 205 6099 and entering the Meeting ID when prompted: 898 4662 0463.

The meeting will include a public presentation of the current conditions assessment, along with the next steps as the project moves into looking at future conditions and recommendations.

Visit the Woodbury Route 6 Corridor Study project page to learn more at https://nvcogct.gov/woodbury-rt6.

For language assistance or other accommodations, contact NVCOG at least five business days prior to the meeting at info@nvcogct.gov or call 203-757-0535.