About the Division
The Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments (NVCOG) is committed to restrengthening its Community Planning Division, aimed at bolstering community planning and support. Recognizing the foundation of past efforts, NVCOG has expanded its team to provide technical assistance and capacity support in land use planning, zoning, and housing matters. This enables the agency to assist member municipalities as they respond to state, regional, and local policy changes. Assistance can include, but is not limited to, plans, projects, initiatives, and education around community planning matters.
Meet the Team
Meet the brilliant minds behind the Community Planning Division!
Savannah-Nicole (SN) Villalba, AICP, AZT - Community Planning Director
Savannah-Nicole (SN) Villalba, AICP, AZT, originally from Oakville and Waterbury, Connecticut, serves as the Community Planning Director. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Urban and Community Studies from the University of Connecticut, a Master of Arts in Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning from Tufts University and is currently pursuing a JD at the University of Connecticut School of Law’s Evening Division.
In her role within the Community Planning Division, SN collaborates on a wide range of regional and local land use and housing projects, plans, initiatives, and studies. She finds inspiration in building strong relationships with the region’s land use staff, commissioners, and Chief Elected Officials. As a housing and land use planner by trade, SN is enthusiastic about any opportunity to apply her expertise to facilitate the implementation of regional and local visions. Beyond her professional endeavors, she deeply values spending time with her family, who instilled the importance of community in her from a young age. When not at work, SN can often be found reading, engaging in physical fitness activities, indulging in baking, and expressing her creativity through pottery.
Keith Rosenfeld - Regional Municipal Planner
Keith D. Rosenfeld, originally from Metuchen, NJ, has called Bristol home for the past 34 years. He is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture. His expertise shines in guiding the Beacon Falls Plan of Conservation & Development (POCD) Update and Seymour Downtown Development projects. Beyond his professional pursuits, Keith’s passions encompass gardening, music, and the world of fiction literature.
Emely Ricci - Community Planner
Emely Ricci grew up in Shelton, CT and is a 2023 graduate of UConn’s Master’s in Public Administration program. As an NVCOG Community Planner, she will be working on the Regional Plan of Conservation and Development, as well as provide her support to the region’s 19 municipalities. In her off-time, she enjoys reading and writing short stories, and going on the occasional hike on CT’s recreational trails.
Molly Johnson - Community Planner
Molly Johnson grew up in North Branford, CT and holds a Masters of Environmental Management from Yale School of the Environment and a Bachelors of Science in Environmental Science from Saint Joseph’s University. She is excited to work with Naugatuck Valley communities on topics such as aquifer protection areas, stormwater regulations and brownfields to support healthy, resilient and sustainable communities. Molly is passionate about environmental and climate justice and in her free time enjoys hiking and gardening.
Pheobe Ploof - Community Planner
Pheobe Ploof grew up in Norwich, CT and now resides in West Hartford. She holds a B.A. in Political Science and a Masters in Public Administration from the University of Connecticut. As a Community Planner for NVCOG she will be focusing on assisting communities in our region with issues related to housing, including completing Affordable Housing Plans and Housing Needs Assessments. She is excited to help municipalities in our region create housing stocks that work for their towns and residents. When she is not helping the Naugatuck Valley Region to improve their housing she is usually hiking, travelling around CT and discovering new areas, or admiring historical architecture.
