[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6428870,"mediaKeyId","5882084-fab7195a3f10397c98265fce70a7bca8","parentId",5882084,"title","NH COG executive director reports GIS vendor progress, $210,000 EDD award and upcoming regional events; administrative motions noted","audioSeconds",330,"startMs",174640,"endMs",505125,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5882084-fab7195a3f10397c98265fce70a7bca8&start=174&end=505","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5882084-fab7195a3f10397c98265fce70a7bca8/thumbnail_174640.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6428870/Connecticut/NH-COG-executive-director-reports-GIS-vendor-progress-210000-EDD-award-and-upcoming-regional-events-administrative-motions-noted","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6428870-2c734c7e6869b3e896bcdab062a60fda/orig.mp4?Expires=1770490518&Signature=m5mopbW~Zk4G32nPPhpG4ZNT639lFqyG9uhk7o6NKUq5buEVOMsB66M1ZKoFTUKb5QqlUzpb~crfKOyJL3JwjngMGGTJ5FEMvfKDzZx98Lnu0M8V8a0DKa1Dt2Y1oj~sCihHOdhxHfkelz1Vt6V8rL3nqBhLSNE7ln-bBq0fvA4cEH-EZ1hXhoOncNkTvxOGxllMOob1I3JZ0SgZxFCjoZVhjVWvgaS6cocQX4YJ6L76bIfa2sQ6Z-GFFUNpxp7mCdlHhm~SvC~793W-xumsK~vvWVqEfHoDHvsSwDpGMuXuZOIzeK83D4rG1HIM3UP8U9OKelLzKuMCsTYUBfmKFA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Northwest Hills County, CT","date","2025-10-01T13:46:07Z","article","Rob (executive director) opened his report by highlighting the creative economy summit video now posted on the council website and by summarizing his executive activity log. He updated members on the COG's GRAMA/GIS grant work: four vendors are engaged in the region—QDS (master agreement and task orders executed and active), New England Geo (task order phase), Timmins (master agreement phase, Winchester task order), and Flow Analytics (task order execution phase in Harlington).

Rob also announced federal funding for economic development: \"we... have been awarded $210,000 in federal funding to continue our 5 year SEDS implementation,\" he said, noting that this contributes to a $350,000 commitment to the region for economic-development activity and credited staff for the quick turnaround.

Staffing and program updates: Sarah Better will take on expanded responsibilities in a planner/entry-level planner capacity to support regional planning, emergency management and the CEDS. Rob also announced a household hazardous waste event scheduled for Nov. 8 at the Torrington Transfer Facility (Boat Road) with on-site and Eventbrite registration from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.; and he noted Bantam is being designated a state cultural district with a site visit scheduled.

Administrative items and votes at a glance: Rob reviewed the July meeting minutes and an AI-assisted draft of minutes. Anne Marie (finance) was not present; Rob reported July/June financials are in year-end close and under audit review. The meeting included several procedural motions recorded in the minutes:

Votes at a glance

- Motion: Move acceptance of Attachment C to July financials. Mover: member present (mover recorded in meeting). Second: Matt. Outcome: not specified in the transcript (no roll-call recorded).

- Motion: Authorize the chair to solicit requests for information for road management planning software. Mover: Town of Burlington representative. Second: Town of Washington representative. Outcome: approved by unanimous voice vote.

- Motion: Adjourn. Mover: Doug (motion to adjourn recorded). Second: Greg Warren. Outcome: approved (voice vote).

Rob also reported that Torrington requested and received a letter of support for a Trees for Communities application and that the COG will act as fiscal and administrative agent for a Harrington recreation trails grant; staff plan to issue an RFP and oversee consultant selection for a Naugatuck River Greenway segment final routing and design.

What members asked: Doug requested banks and interest-rate information for the COG's cash balances and CDs; Rob said staff are reviewing those accounts and potential reallocation. Several members expressed appreciation for the creative economy summit materials and for staff work on the SEDS award.

Next steps: Rob will circulate the executive director activity log, the COGs' housing proposal presentation (per earlier agenda item), the GRAMA/GIS task-order status for individual towns on request, and follow up on finance questions about account yields.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","NHCOG September 17th, 2025 SPECIAL Monthly Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Rob (executive director) updated members on GIS grant vendor status, a $210,000 federal EDD award for CEDS implementation and staff changes; he also covered events and administrative items including minutes and financials.","taxTitle","Northwest Hills County, Connecticut","taxId",52776,"location","Connecticut","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6428881,"Northwest Hills COG tests pooled fund to streamline health, recovery services",1454,1317000,2771230,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5882084-fab7195a3f10397c98265fce70a7bca8&start=1317&end=2771","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5882084-fab7195a3f10397c98265fce70a7bca8/thumbnail_1317000.jpg","/articles/6428881/Connecticut/Northwest-Hills-COG-tests-pooled-fund-to-streamline-health-recovery-services","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6428881-06ae5e8a59441234aa88125cc6495b34/orig.mp4?Expires=1770491551&Signature=FOlJBXjLHI37q2FvhvyGQ9w~nAAOKac34CPSuP0rfhg5csgdk2Ut8Eoao~u85gsnsQq~9cKDOAqMgHG~93TUlpYjRHDeYSFDhhzcjYGW-RBh6hxA8DD6z4le1bfnCtm5hkobLEnxkq0Z5cG3GDcnEWEixM~bkI~LoNqRNsA5u~D7aiP3eps2lOcsoRSFGdGfREt6DXHf~BijrwaIIumjtNE2E~8rhOsvZBkQD3Fg0NFdI0OIiSkpv3vMeO~DpE~1rhuMuHg~WxIAUK8b3WhD1xYxZ6Uv8nk8HHgGAcsWaG4fyC6C6NTmxbCsKZg-0auZ48~mF68-0GPpWDiq4d-KeA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Leo (Regional health and human services staff) told the Northwest Hills Council of Governments on a special meeting that staff are exploring a regional pooled fund to reduce repeated funding requests from nonprofit service providers and to encourage shared services among towns.

\"We have a lot of organizations in the region,\" Leo said. He described a concept that would use the existing RORF platform to collect and distribute funds with guardrails tied to four focus areas borrowed from the national opioid settlement: treatment, harm reduction, prevention and recovery support.

Why it matters: council members said the proposal could reduce administrative burden on small towns and improve coordination for services such as outreach, mobile services and peer support. But several members asked for town-by-town accounting and performance measures before endorsing any new pooled commitment.

Leo said RORF already holds funds and could be the administrative vehicle. \"To date, total collected is a $150,568 and change. We've spent $68,216 with about 60,000 additional pending expenses,\" he said, adding that participating towns vary in whether they have committed 100 percent of their settlement allocations.

Rista (staff) and Denise (member) both supported the regional approach in discussion, and Denise asked specifically whether staff could report on how many people the pooled approach would serve. Leo said that reporting and town-level impact data would be part of the incentive structure for recipients: organizations that receive pooled funds would be expected to provide data on services delivered at both town and regional levels.

Mary Carbone, identified in discussion as the city mayor, described Torrington's experience as a host for winter sheltering and said her city intends to use its opioid-settlement funds for winter sheltering and to reduce dependence on state placement systems. \"Once you accept state money, you become a part of the 2-1-1 system,\" she said, adding that Torrington had seen more out-of-region placements routed to its shelters.

Council members emphasized the need to balance immediate winter-shelter capacity with prevention and recovery investments. Rob (executive director) said staff want a clear signal from the membership before developing a detailed program. He asked whether members wanted staff to continue developing the idea and return with a more concrete proposal.

Outcome and next steps: council members did not take a formal vote on creating a pooled fund during the meeting. Staff were asked to produce town-level reports on participating organizations and to bring back more detailed options and outcome metrics for further review.","Staff proposed using the region's RORF (opioid settlement fund) platform as a pooled funding and coordination hub for mental health, substance-use, homelessness and other health-and-wellness services; members asked for more data and town-level detail before committing.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6428877,"NH COG advances transit study recommendations; authorizes RFP for road asset-management software",661,2782245,3443395,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5882084-fab7195a3f10397c98265fce70a7bca8&start=2782&end=3443","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5882084-fab7195a3f10397c98265fce70a7bca8/thumbnail_2782245.jpg","/articles/6428877/Connecticut/NH-COG-advances-transit-study-recommendations-authorizes-RFP-for-road-asset-management-software","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6428877-935a4e28debb3a2267a4d55a4610c52e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770490656&Signature=BBPSc-8PdjKIayheHRj2IShTVt6FUbWK9~qsPeMiRbevF79qCc~E0CB7mCi-ikXb~ygMI6AHkCE8yKUUDT72MdUCINzogt3Epu69ndDz-IPafU2NtyshvzMkxZvoMy-dQqCnprz6JhDuTxFmwlkql9JCIEfDaBOnWqhqN4C4LmgadM-3HaeS82~kenDt~uTiuv9FgrNWLpNq0w9djQ0m7Iah60kU--LCGOuf~AISKVh51JOy~sx1t7USy1BZq36C-VV1ozOLi0I2Xobf5BnEuVO-TL57YE4YXTcVU2j06o3o2W3Jf0op8tYSMJGbJwt0HBHxy-XaZLzdXZp8m5sfiQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Eric (transportation planner) summarized a completed transit analysis and told members the two priority next steps are a bus-stop placement/amenity study and exploring a centralized dispatch for demand-response services to reduce unmet trip demand.

\"One of the top recommendations... is a bus stop placement and money study,\" Eric said, listing tasks: reviewing existing stop visibility and location, identifying needed infrastructure, testing temporary signage where signs are lacking and identifying shelter and bench locations.

Eric said Hartford HealthCare — Torrington had expressed interest and possible financial support for implementing stop improvements. He also reported meetings with Northwest Transit District leadership endorsing the study.

On demand-response services, Eric said multiple providers now require riders to call several numbers and that a centralized dispatch would give callers a single number, generate a clearer dataset on unmet demand and facilitate shared services among providers.

Rob and Eric also updated members on several other transportation items: the Public Works Equipment Collaborative has local towns agreeing to jointly own some equipment (example: a straw blower shared by Litchfield and Winchester) while other items will be sold on GovDeals; four towns received Transportation Alternatives/Trip program awards (Barkhamsted, Burlington, Goshen and Litchfield) totaling several million dollars for roadway and bridge work; and staff are seeking member authorization to begin an RFP process for roadway management and planning software.

The council moved and approved a motion to authorize the chair to solicit requests for information for road management planning software. The motion was made by the Town of Burlington representative, seconded by the Town of Washington representative, and recorded as approved by unanimous voice vote.

What members asked: Paul (Winstead) urged staff to consult with towns that have already done procurement work and to reuse existing RFP language. A member asked how Dial-A-Ride factored into the study; Eric confirmed Dial-A-Ride was included and considered in recommendations.

Next steps: staff will pursue the bus-stop placement study with Northwest Transit District, continue conversations on centralized dispatch, coordinate with towns awarded TRIP funding on next steps, and issue an RFP/RFI for road asset-management software as authorized by the council.","Staff reported next steps from a regional transit analysis — bus-stop placement, stop amenities and centralized dispatch for demand-response — and updated members on public-works equipment sharing and state TRIP grants. The council authorized staff to solicit requests for information for roadway management and planning software.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6428874,"Connecticut COGs propose regional housing planning approach as state lawmakers rework 5002",329,2331595,2660745,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5882084-fab7195a3f10397c98265fce70a7bca8&start=2331&end=2660","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5882084-fab7195a3f10397c98265fce70a7bca8/thumbnail_2331595.jpg","/articles/6428874/Connecticut/Connecticut-COGs-propose-regional-housing-planning-approach-as-state-lawmakers-rework-5002","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6428874-8088528e8ec9a17c474c970c9f2f9c64/orig.mp4?Expires=1770489914&Signature=Lii5-i9tn1xV9eqGce5fI90lx5IQ~arrl2qMDANsulEo4txcMCKY8Z8AjfL-muneIJeSmaLzT96wOaZosRhpRgOnDNMu~8ZVVlqeTvRl2ifkT5jtwLV8FGKkeP~6D340~Jobyrdo10hgfTLLW1LDT324Q~udIhLoTnsFAV7iorqnmW07WRjB~AVkROom8239xHz2-~PTFnQIjxoy83hWExyBmJYYrjZT1SwTGPllONRXFJ9-lJgKG8dXCGJBaqWLkPynXjUp7Ft-uWNTiwn5rLin0XSLvhnQzJvQ~vWHqLc9gxqP7GAIgYFeu0-zQ3uxtPl4Ccr~7S5clkq71C56iA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Matt Fulda (executive director, Metro COG) joined the Northwest Hills Council of Governments to summarize a multiregional proposal created by Connecticut COG directors and shared with municipal associations following the June veto of Public Act 5002.

\"Our thought was... to come up with kind of a regional housing needs assessment,\" Fulda said. The proposed model pairs an overarching regional housing plan with municipal \"chapters\" for each town, similar in structure to multi-jurisdiction FEMA hazard-mitigation plans: a regional analysis plus town-level goals, implementation steps and potential prioritized sites.

Why the proposal: COG directors said housing is a regional market and that a regional approach could be more practical than imposing additional stand-alone municipal requirements. Fulda and Rob (executive director) said they have discussed the concept with the governor's office and with legislative leadership and that negotiations on revised housing legislation are ongoing.

Members flagged local constraints: small, watershed-dominated towns have very limited developable land and members questioned one-size-fits-all mandates. Rob said the COGs are advocating for state funding that supports infrastructure (water, sewer, transportation) needed to make responsible housing investments possible, rather than redirecting existing critical funds.

Next steps: Rob will circulate the full presentation and a short reference guide to members. A housing summit is scheduled Sept. 29 in Sharon; members were encouraged to attend and to provide feedback to the COGs and to their legislative delegations as the state drafting process continues.

No legislative text was adopted by the council; Matt Fulda and other COG directors continue to engage with state leaders as negotiations proceed.","Cogs across Connecticut proposed a regional approach to housing needs assessments and implementation plans aimed to replace some requirements in the vetoed bill 5002; Northwest Hills COG members discussed the approach and asked staff to circulate materials and gather local feedback.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

NH COG executive director reports GIS vendor progress, $210,000 EDD award and upcoming regional events; administrative motions noted

Northwest Hills COG tests pooled fund to streamline health, recovery services

NH COG advances transit study recommendations; authorizes RFP for road asset-management software

Connecticut COGs propose regional housing planning approach as state lawmakers rework 5002