NHCOG Quarterly Compass

Rob Phillips, Executive Director

A Word from the Executive Director -

As we enter the spring season of renewed growth, we continue to be inspired by the energy and optimism within our region to accomplish new and important initiatives. NHCOG is committed to advancing initiatives that foster sustainable growth, enhance collaboration, and strengthen our communities. This time of year, brings new growth and we have exciting updates to share, from new partnerships to important ongoing regional programs.

NHCOG will be submitting Section 5310 applications for the Rural Independent Transportation System program, along with the Municipal Grant Program, to the Connecticut Department of Transportation in late April/early May in an effort to obtain funding for transit operations that provide services to the elderly and disabled who live within the northwest hills region for the upcoming fiscal year.

Northwest Hills Regional Main Street Program: How Your Community Can Get Involved - April 24th, 2025 - 9:00 - 10:00 AM (VIRTUAL)
- In this webinar, we invite municipal CEOs, EDC members, and other relevant stakeholders of the community’s choosing to learn about the goals and approach of the regional main street management program – and how your community can opt-in. To participate, communities will need to form a Main Street working group and designate a lead liaison.
  During the session, we’ll outline:
  ·         Who should be a part of the Main Street working group
  ·         The roles and responsibilities of the working group
  ·         The expectations of the lead liaison
  This webinar will be recorded and viewing it will be required to attend the upcoming workshops in the series.

RORF: Uprooting Addiction - Healing from the Ground Up
Leonardo Ghio, Project Director

This spring and summer, the Regional Opioid Response Fund will be supporting an effort to provide screenings of Uprooting Addiction throughout the region, a film that was created by local residents right here in our quiet northwest corner. This film has received notable recognition and awards from film festivals in Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, and California.

Greenwoods Counseling & Referrals Inc. was the fiduciary for the production and offers the screenings at no cost to municipalities and community organizations who wish to host an event. Filmmakers and Greenwoods' staff attend to engage the audience in a Question & Answer session following the screening. The Regional Opioid Response Fund provides funding for refreshments and assists with sharing information about upcoming events to educate our local communities and to reduce the stigma associated with addiction and seeking help.

If your municipality, local church, library, or community center are interested in hosting a screening, or if you would like more information, please email LGhio@nhcogct.gov

Land Use Commissioner Training

UConn CLEAR will host an in-person Land Use Commissioner training session on FRIDAY, April 11, 2025, at UConn's Middlesex County Extension Center located at 1066 Saybrook Road, Haddam, CT, 06438.

The first session will focus on “Fundamentals of Site Plan Reading.” This training is recommended for Land Use Commissioners with no prior experience in site plan reading. The class will assist commissioners in developing essential plan reading skills, including the comprehension of scale, topography, hydrology, and stormwater. The session will utilize practical exercises involving real-world site plans, enabling participants to translate plan information into practical ground-level observations.