Sustainability Spotlight: NVCOG Stormwater & MS4 Resources

The NVCOG has launched an updated series of webpages to help municipal staff navigate requirements and resources on stormwater management. Flooding due to runoff is one of the largest climate change impacts in Connecticut, and eighteen of the nineteen municipalities in our region are required to comply with the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4) permit.

This refreshed online hub has something new for all municipal staff working on MS4 requirements. Learn more about the webpages below.

Staff have also advocated with regulators to improve the MS4 permit, incorporated rain gardens and other green infrastructure into projects and worked directly with municipalities to bring them into compliance.

Properly managed stormwater can prevent property damage and injuries, pollution, and costly flood cleanups. Municipalities are encouraged to avail themselves of these updated resources.

Rain Garden adjacent to a permeable parking lot along Route 34 in Derby, CT. These are cost-efficient depressions in the landscape that typically include native plants or trees and a mulch layer or ground cover. This includes curb cuts for stormwater runoff.

PRESS RELEASE: EPA’s Suspension of NVCOG’s Revolving Loan Fund Award Threatens Critical Housing and Economic Development Projects

Contact:  
Desira Blanchard
Communications and Community Engagement Coordinator
Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments     
203-489-0353
dblanchard@nvcogct.gov
 
EPA’s Suspension of NVCOG’s Revolving Loan Fund Award Threatens Critical Housing and Economic Development Projects

[Waterbury, CT] – On January 28, 2025, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in response to executive orders issued by President Trump, suspended the Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments’ (NVCOG) Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) 2022 Award in the amount of $8,661,808. This abrupt decision jeopardizes and threatens to derail vital private real estate development deals, housing initiatives, and regional economic revitalization efforts across the region.

NVCOG’s RLF program offers low-interest loans and subgrants for cleaning up and redeveloping contaminated brownfields, playing a key role in transforming neglected properties into vibrant residential, commercial, and mixed-use developments. Since 2005 the Revolving Loan Fund program has funded 42 Brownfield projects that are anticipated to leverage $350 million in non-federal investments. With its suspension, municipalities and developers alike are left facing stalled projects, financial uncertainty, and scrambling to find alternative funding sources.

“This decision strikes a devastating blow to Connecticut’s private developers, municipalities, businesses, and the residents who rely on these critical projects for housing and community growth,” said Rick Dunne, Executive Director of NVCOG. “This sudden action, made without prior notice or dialogue, not only halts progress but actively sets back years of work in revitalizing our communities.”

The suspension of the RLF 2022 Award directly disrupts ongoing housing projects and denies municipalities access to critical loans and grants necessary for redevelopment efforts. Private developers who have invested time and resources into these projects are now facing an uncertain future, with financial gaps that could derail years of planning.

The impact of the EPA’s decision is far-reaching across the NVCOG region, affecting multiple projects that were set to receive funding. These include:

• 501 East Main Street, Ansonia
• 17-19 Henry Healey Drive, Ansonia
• 40 West Street, Bristol
• 0 Maple Street, Naugatuck
• 226 Rubber Avenue, Naugatuck
• 0/280 Elm Street, Naugatuck
• 113/125 Canal Street, Shelton
• 281 Canal Street, Shelton
• 359 Mill Street, Waterbury
• 170 Freight Street, Waterbury
• 698 South Main Street, Waterbury
• 835 Main Street, Waterbury
• 272 River Street, Waterbury

NVCOG is calling on the state’s federal delegation and local officials to advocate for immediate reinstatement of the RLF 2022 Awards nationwide to prevent economic fallout and further setbacks in housing development.

Welcome New Transportation and Environmental Planners

The Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments (NVCOG) is excited to welcome two new staff members!

Kate Pipa, Transportation Planner II

Kate brings a diverse background in the nonprofit sector to her role at NVCOG, with expertise in housing, food security, and economic development. She is excited to apply this experience to transportation planning. Kate is completing her Master’s in Public Administration (Urban Governance) at Erasmus University Rotterdam and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Northeastern University. Originally from Shelton, she currently resides there and enjoys hiking, cycling, and exploring communities across Connecticut.

Inez Ortiz, Environmental Planner

Inez Ortiz joins NVCOG as part of the Brownfields Program Division. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Systems and Sustainability from Southern Connecticut State University. Inez previously interned with the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection in the Office of Permitting and Program Development. She also worked with Sustainable CT, overseeing a grant program for community-led sustainability initiatives and supporting municipal certification efforts. In her free time, Inez enjoys outdoor activities, painting, and reading.

PRESS RELEASE: NVCOG Seeks Public Input on Transit Equity and Inclusion

For Immediate Release: January 10, 2025

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

NVCOG Seeks Public Input on Transit Equity and Inclusion

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.

The Title VI Plan 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.

The NVCOG has scheduled two public meetings to gather input directly from residents, organizations, and stakeholders. Public meetings will take place on the following dates:

These meetings will be interactive, including a brief overview of proposed updates and activities to gather attendees’ thoughts, concerns, and suggestions. Refreshments will be provided. Please email dblanchard@nvcogct.gov to RSVP if you plan to attend.

Meeting locations are ADA accessible. Language assistance is available, and requests can be made at least five business days prior to the meeting by contacting Desira Blanchard, Civil Rights Officer, at dblanchard@nvcogct.gov or 203-757-0535.

For more information, visit https://nvcogct.gov/project/title-vi-plan/ or contact NVCOG at 203-757-0535.

About NVCOG
NVCOG is a regional planning organization that serves 19 cities and towns in the Naugatuck Valley Planning Region. By helping municipalities work together, NVCOG tackles shared challenges such as transportation improvements, environmental issues, and community planning, creating a stronger and more connected region.

PRESS RELEASE: Connecticut Brownfield Land Bank Secures Grants to Revitalize Key Sites in Waterbury and Hartford

For Immediate Release: December 6,  2024

Contact:
Ricardo Rodiguez
Brownfields Program Director
Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments
203-982-0797
rrodriguez@nvcogct.gov

Connecticut Brownfield Land Bank Secures Grants to Revitalize Key Sites in Waterbury and Hartford

(Waterbury, CT) – The Connecticut Brownfield Land Bank, Inc. (CTBLB) has been awarded significant funding through the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development’s (DECD) Brownfield Remediation and Development Program. These grants will fund key remediation activities to prepare properties in Waterbury and Hartford for productive reuse, transforming them into vibrant community assets that will foster economic growth and address critical housing shortages.

On December 4, 2024, Governor Ned Lamont announced the approval of $20 million in state grants to remediate and redevelop 21 blighted properties across Connecticut. This round of state investments is projected to attract approximately $530 million in private funding, generate 1,392 new housing units, and drive local business growth. The Connecticut Brownfield Land Bank (CTBLB) will receive $1,137,320 to facilitate the remediation and redevelopment of two major projects:

  • Hartford: A $987,000 grant to CBLB will support the abatement of hazardous materials and the removal of an underground storage tank at the former state-owned properties located at 20 and 30 Trinity Street. These sites are set to be repurposed for a 104-unit mixed-income residential and transit-oriented development, which will provide much-needed housing and contribute to Hartford’s ongoing revitalization.
  • Waterbury: A $150,320 grant to CBLB will fund the environmental assessment of the 2.37-acre William V. Begg Building site at 1106 Bank Street. The project aims to restore this high-rise building into affordable housing, providing additional housing options in Waterbury’s downtown district.

“We are proud to partner with the state and local developers to transform these blighted properties into thriving, sustainable spaces,” said CTBLB President Rick Dunne. “The General Assembly showed great wisdom in creating Brownfield Land Banks to shield innocent investors from liability and help our towns reclaim properties that would otherwise remain a blight and hazard to our communities. By addressing these environmental concerns, we are opening the door for economic growth and addressing the state’s pressing housing needs.”

The Connecticut Brownfield Land Bank, Inc. is dedicated to facilitating the remediation and redevelopment of brownfield sites throughout Connecticut. By working with municipalities, developers, and environmental experts, CTBLB helps transform contaminated properties into valuable assets, creating economic opportunities and improving quality of life for local communities.

“This round of funding not only addresses critical environmental cleanup needs but also demonstrates Connecticut’s ongoing commitment to building vibrant, sustainable communities,” said Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Daniel O’Keefe. “By leveraging private investments, we are creating jobs, fostering economic development, and providing much-needed housing for residents. These projects are prime examples of how brownfield remediation can serve as a catalyst for change, revitalizing neighborhoods and improving quality of life for all.”

The grants announced are part of a larger effort by the Lamont administration to promote economic development, environmental sustainability, and housing growth throughout Connecticut.

For more information on the Connecticut Brownfield Land Bank, Inc. and its projects, please visit ctblb.org.

PRESS RELEASE: Governor Lamont Announces State Grants to Remediate 21 Blighted Properties and Put Them Back Into Productive Use To Grow Jobs and Housing

Click here to access the press release from the office of Governor Ned Lamont

(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that he has approved a series of state grants totaling $20 million that will be used to support the remediation and redevelopment of 21 blighted properties consisting of 150 acres of contaminated land in 18 municipalities across Connecticut. The funds will be used to support the costs of cleaning up these vacant properties so they can be redeveloped and put back into productive use to support economic growth and housing needs.

The grants are being released through the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development’s Brownfield Remediation and Development Program. These state investments are expected to leverage approximately $530 million in private investments and facilitate the creation of 1,392 units of new housing, as well as the growth of new businesses.

“All of these blighted properties have been vacant for years when we should be using them to grow new businesses and support the development of badly needed housing,” Governor Lamont said. “This series of state grants enables us to partner with developers who will take these zombie properties and bring them back from the dead, cleaning up contaminated land and bringing life back to these neighborhoods.”

“Under the leadership of Governor Lamont, Connecticut continues to make impactful investments in our communities that are building vibrancy, creating jobs, and improving the lives of our residents,” Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Daniel O’Keefe said. “This latest round of brownfield investments is noteworthy for the high amount of private investment it is leveraging and for how it is helping to address one our state’s most pressing needs – increasing the supply of quality housing.”

The grants announced today under this funding round include:

  • Ansonia: $200,000 grant to the City of Ansonia for environmental, hazardous building materials, and structural assessments that will facilitate the development of cost estimates and options to repurpose the former Ansonia Opera House at 100 Main Street.
  • Canton: $200,000 grant to the Town to prepare a Phase III Environmental Site Assessment, Remedial Action Plan, geotechnical investigations, market study and building infrastructure needs assessment of the 19.3-acre, former Collinsville Axe Factory located at 10 Depot Street to help further the restoration and reuse of the historic mill properties for housing development.
  • Cornwall: $200,000 grant to the Northwest Hills Council of Governments to conduct assessment activities on a 12.38-acre parcel, formerly known as 282 Kent Road to study the feasibility for redevelopment for affordable housing.
  • Cromwell: $3,000,000 grant to the Town of Cromwell for abatement, demolition, and remediation activities at 100 Berlin Road, formerly the site of the Red Lion Hotel. The cleanup will enable the redevelopment of the 12.74-acre property into a 254-unit mixed-use development.
  • East Haven and New Haven: $200,000 grant to the two municipalities to continue the assessment of the privately-owned, 21.47-acre Coppola Metals Property located at 201 and 181 Russell Street in New Haven and 201 Russell Street in East Haven. The site was formerly used as a scrapyard and has sat vacant and highly contaminated for more than 20 years.
  • Enfield: $4,000,000 grant to the Town of Enfield for remediation activities on the 3.24-acre site at 33 North River Street, former home of the power plant for Bigelow Carpet Manufacturing. Plans include a 160-unit multifamily residential complex and transit-oriented development on the site.
  • Hartford: $162,125 grant to the City of Hartford for the assessment of eight properties across the city totaling 2.36 acres. Potential end uses for the vacant lots and abandoned buildings include residential development, a public library branch, social service operations through the House of Bread, and a digital inclusion center.
  • Hartford: $987,000 grant to the Connecticut Brownfield Land Bank, Inc. to abate hazardous building materials on the properties located at 20 and 30 Trinity Street and remove an underground storage tank. Plans are to adaptively reuse and repurpose the former state-owned buildings for a 104-unit mixed-income residential and transit-oriented development.
  • Naugatuck: $1,375,000 grant to the Borough of Naugatuck for remediation and soil management at a 7.75-acre, city-owned parking lot located at 0 Maple Street. This will enable the construction of 60 mixed-income housing units and 4,700 square feet of commercial space.
  • New Haven: $186,000 grant to the City of New Haven to complete environmental investigations, hazardous building material surveys, structural assessments, and remedial design plans for two adjacent properties at 71 and 89 Shelton Avenue totaling 4.89 acres. The assessment activities will assist in developing options for reuse to attract prospective developers.
  • Newtown: $610,000 grant to the Town of Newtown for hazardous materials abatement of a 0.28-acre duplex building site at the former Fairfield Hills Campus. The buildings, which have been vacant since 1995, will house the Newtown Parks and Recreation Department and be leased for commercial use.
  • Norwich: $1,857,370 grant to the Norwich Community Development Corporation to remediate and stabilize the historic Mason House located at 68 Thermos Avenue. The Integrated Day Charter School plans to use the remediated space to expand, allowing them to provide community mental health services and host community events.
  • Stamford: $950,000 grant to the Western Council of Governments to complete excavation and remediation of contaminated soil on a 3.8-acre site at 39 Woodland Avenue. Redevelopment plans include mixed-use development with 714 new units of residential housing, as well as parks and pedestrian connections to the Stamford Transportation Center and the harbor.
  • Stonington: $4,000,000 grant to the Town of Stonington for abatement and remediation activities at the four-story mill property located at 21 Pawcatuck Avenue.  The cleanup of the 5.24-acre site will enable it to be repurposed into a 51-unit apartment building with limited commercial space.
  • Torrington: $200,000 grant to the City of Torrington to assess two parcels totaling 21.5 acres located at 535 Migeon Avenue.  The studies will help identify potential development options on these sites along the Naugatuck Riverfront.
  • Torrington: $200,000 grant to the Torrington Development Corporation for assessment of the Yankee Pedlar Inn, a 1.62-acre site located at 93 Main Street.  The assessments will help position this historical asset for future redevelopment.
  • Waterbury: $550,000 grant to the Waterbury Development Corporation to complete remediation of the 0.29-acre property at 9 and 15 Branch Street. The cleanup will enable the development of the Police Activity League’s Splash Pad and Playground, consistent with the organization’s mission of fostering positive partnership between the law enforcement and the broader community.
  • Waterbury: $150,320 grant to the Connecticut Brownfield Land Bank, Inc. for the assessment of the 2.37-acre William V. Begg Building site, located at 1106 Bank Street. The planned end use is to return the high-rise back to affordable housing.         
  • West Hartford: $660,096 grant to the Town of West Hartford for the remediation, abatement, and partial demolition of a 1.83-acre vacant site owned by an affiliate of the West Hartford Housing Authority. The site will be redeveloped into a 49 mixed-income rental apartment complex.
  • Winchester: $200,000 grant to the Northwest Hills Council of Governments to conduct environmental assessment on the 9.49-acre property located at 41 and 3 Meadow Street. Potential plans for the site include adaptive reuse to meet the demands for small manufacturing in the area.
  • Windham: $200,000 grant to the Town of Windham for the assessment of the 2.46-acre site of the former Kramer Building located at 322 Prospect Street in downtown. This work will facilitate the development of options for adaptive reuse of the building.

For more information on Connecticut’s Brownfield Remediation and Development Program, visit ctbrownfields.gov.

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.

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12/12/24 Flyer

Community Planning Fall Newsletter

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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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.