JULY 2021
This month, SCRCOG is launching a new, more comprehensive monthly newsletter designed to offer frequent updates on our transportation planning, regional planning, and municipal services programs. We will publish the newsletter on the third Wednesday of each month and include it in the SCRCOG Board Meeting agenda packet.
Please visit the SCRCOG website for more information on who we are, what we do, and opportunities for public participation.
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Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP)
On June 16, SCRCOG held consultant interviews for three projects listed in the current UPWP: Wallingford Northrup Road Study, Milford Road Connection Feasibility Study, and Meriden CT Loop Trail Connection Study. These transportation studies are scheduled to be completed in the current fiscal year.
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New Haven Urbanized Area MOU
As requested by FHWA and FTA, SCRCOG has updated the New Haven Urbanized Area MOU. The MOU is an agreement among the MPOs, the State, and the public transportation operator(s) describing how the metropolitan planning processes will be coordinated in an urbanized area.
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Virtual Public Involvement Workshop
SCRCOG staff have been attending a four-week workshop on Virtual Public Involvement (VPI) for New England states. The workshop involves sharing best practices on managing public input during remote and hybrid meetings.
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Section 5310 Program Enhanced Mobility for Seniors and Persons with Disabilities
The Section 5310 program provides Federal funding for capital and operating expenses to improve mobility for seniors and individuals with disabilities living in our communities. Traditionally, these funds have provided for the purchase of wheelchair accessible vehicles. For the 2021 application cycle, CTDOT will fund viable Traditional vehicle projects selected for award at 100% federal share, with no local match requirement, per the language in the budget page.
The deadline for public notice is July 23, 2021 and applications for funding are due to SCRCOG and CTDOT by August 3, 2021.
For additional information please check the SCRCOG Website.
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Affordable Housing
This month, SCRCOG entered into contract with RKG Associates, Inc. to develop a Regional Housing Plan that consists of individual chapters for each municipality in the Region.
SCRCOG, along with RKG Associates, and SCRCOG Consultant David Fink will be hosting the Regional Housing Plan Kick-Off Meeting on Wednesday, July 28th. The meeting will be conducted via Zoom from 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM. RKG Associates will facilitate the meeting and present their approach to creating the Regional Housing Plan, along with the municipal specific plans. A few of the topics that will be addressed include the differences in the Housing Markets among the communities, whether existing housing policies meet the needs of the residents, who are the groups currently being underserved, as well as several other points. Any interested municipal officials and/or committee members are encouraged to attend.
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Regional Planning Commission (RPC)
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Regional Hazard Mitigation Advisory Committee
The Regional Hazard Mitigation Advisory Committee held its Annual Update meeting on Thursday, July 15th. Participants provided an update on the local and regional mitigation actions and initiatives identified in the South Central Region: Multi-Jurisdiction Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP), and begin planning for the next update. The update will provide an opportunity to include the City of Meriden, and have all fifteen SCRCOG jurisdictions become part of the HMP. SCRCOG’s Building Resilience Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) application to update the HMP has been selected/identified for further review by FEMA.
SCRCOG has continued its collaboration with CIRCA on the Resilient CT work program, which will provide an opportunity to coordinate it with the HMP update process. FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) application period will remain open until January 12, 2022. Additional information can be found on the CT DEMHS website.
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Energy Conservation
Live Green is continuing their free EV project support to municipalities through their Clarity Sessions and AFleet Consulting Sessions for towns interested in fleet electrification and installing charging stations. Participation can earn municipalities 5 and 10 Sustainable CT points, respectively. For support, contact Daphne Dixon at Live Green.
SolSmart is providing free technical assistance to SCRCOG municipalities to help them receive SolSmart Designation. SCRCOG has achieved SolSmart Silver Designation. Three SCRCOG municipalities have achieved SolSmart designations. Designation can earn municipalities 20 Sustainable CT points. Contact Toyah Barigye at SolSmart for support.
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Information Technology / Cybersecurity
Six SCRCOG municipalities have begun a SCRCOG-sponsored integrative cybersecurity awareness training for their municipal employees. Three additional towns are either in the process of on-boarding or waiting for the next round of training seats to become available.
Cities and Towns interested in beginning the on-boarding process for this training program can do so by completing this start-up questionnaire.
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Regional Purchasing Consortium
At the beginning of July, SCRCOG posted the results of RFQ #021-01: On-Call Engineering Services. The On-Call List includes eighteen firms and will be active for three years with a mutual option for the firm and SCRCOG to renew for another three years. SCRCOG's purchasing consultant, Wilma Petro, facilitated a training session with municipal public works directors, finance directors, municipal engineers, and purchasing agents to outline techniques and best practices on how SCRCOG municipalities can utilize the On-Call List. Please click here to access a recording of that training session.
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Solid Waste, Recycling, Food Waste Diversion, and Municipal Composting
SCRCOG presented to the CT Coalition on Sustainable Materials Management (CCSMM) on its current initiative to divert food waste in the region (e.g. regional food waste diversion planning) by encouraging food waste co-collection pilots and the establishment of composting sites within the region.
The Solid Waste and Recycling Working Group met to discuss regional composting opportunities such as establishing 3 to 4 composting site within the region. Contact Pam Roach if your municipality is interested in hosting a composting site.
In anticipation of schools reopening their cafeterias, SCRCOG is restarting collaboration with the Center for Eco-Technology (CET) on school food waste diversion and food rescue programs. Schools support this program and are enthusiastic to get started, as we saw before our SCRCOG school food waste diversion project was halted by the pandemic.
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Regional Housing Plan Kick-Off Meeting
Date and Time: Wednesday, July 28, 2021 from 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM
Meeting Type: Virtual - Click Here
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Transportation Committee Meeting
Date and Time: Wednesday, August 11, 2021 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
Meeting Type: Hybrid - SCRCOG Office / Click Here to Join the Zoom Meeting
Agenda: Click Here to Access the Meeting Agenda
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Regional Planning Commission Meeting
Date and Time: Thursday, August 12, 2021 from 5:15 PM to 6:15 PM
Meeting Type: Hybrid - SCRCOG Office / Click Here to Join the Zoom Meeting
Agenda: Click Here to Access the Meeting Agenda
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Executive Committee Meeting
Date and Time: Wednesday, August 25, 2021 from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM
Meeting Type: Hybrid - SCRCOG Office / Click Here to Join the Zoom Meeting
Agenda: Click Here to Access the Meeting Agenda
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SCRCOG Board Meeting
Date and Time: Wednesday, August 25, 2021 from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Meeting Type: Hybrid - SCRCOG Office / Click Here to Join the Zoom Meeting
Agenda: Click Here to Access the Meeting Agenda
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