October 16, 2025 | Issue 10

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Matt Hart, CRCOG's Executive Director highlights West Hartford's Vision Zero program sign for the public. In the background of the photo, is a pedestrian refuge island, which is one of the town's quick build projects. Pedestrian refuge islands are physical protected areas within the street that give pedestrians a safe a visible place to wait.

This month, we’re spotlighting West Hartford, a vibrant town in the Hartford metro area. It covers 22.2 square miles and is home to 64,083 residents (2020 Census). The town includes 205 miles of streets and 245 miles of sidewalks, making it a walkable and connected community.

West Hartford has used a Council-Manager form of government since 1919 — the first in Connecticut and one of the first in the U.S. In this system, the Town Council sets policy, and the Town Manager carries it out. The town is also working to make streets safer through its Vision Zero Initiative, which aims to eliminate traffic-related deaths and serious injuries. You can learn more about these efforts in this month’s newsletter.

This newsletter is a 12-minute read.

West Hartford Leads the Way with Vision Zero Initiative to Improve Traffic Safety

In Connecticut and the Capitol region, fatal car crashes have been of significant concern over the last few years. Recent reports indicate that fatal crashes remain at historic levels, and no community is exempt. The town of West Hartford has felt the challenging impacts. According to their Vision Zero 2024 Annual Report, fatal and serious injury crashes increased from 12 in 2023 to 21 in 2024; and minor injury crashes increased from 314 to 344.

“We knew a proactive approach was needed to respond to residents’ concerns, reduce reckless driving, and promote safer roadways,” said Town Manager Rick Ledwith. “Our leadership embraced a Vision Zero philosophy. The goal with Vision Zero is to save lives, build trust, and create communities where everyone can move safely.” Read the full article.

2025 Capitol Region Tactical Training Workshop Strengthens Regional Readiness and Collaboration

The 2025 Capitol Region Tactical Training Workshop was held on October 1, 2025, bringing together 150 law enforcement professionals from across the region for a full day of classroom instruction and hands-on tactical training. CRCOG hosted the event with support from the Capitol Region Chiefs of Police Association (CRCOPA), the Middletown Police Department, and the Connecticut Police Officer Standards and Training Council (POSTC) Academy.

The morning classroom sessions featured an impressive lineup of subject matter experts. Retired U.S. Army Green Beret John Phelan delivered an inspiring keynote address, sharing lessons in leadership, resilience, and teamwork drawn from his extensive military and operational experience. The Hartford Police Bomb Squad presented an overview of the Tactical Bomb Technician Program, highlighting how integration with tactical teams enhances safety and mission capability. Attorney Eric Daigle provided critical updates on legal considerations in tactical operations, ensuring that attendees remain current with evolving standards and case law.

In the afternoon, training moved to the Middletown Police Range, where participants rotated through a series of scenario-based practical exercises. These included less lethal deployment to resolve vehicle barricades, room clearing with UAS (drone) support, room clearing with tactical bomb technician integration, and tactical emergency casualty care. Each station emphasized communication, coordination, and decision-making under pressure.

Beyond individual skill development, the workshop served as a valuable platform for testing interoperable communications and strengthening relationships among tactical teams throughout the Capitol Region. The event underscored the importance of collaboration, shared training, and the continued pursuit of excellence in regional tactical response.

The success of this year’s workshop reflects the ongoing commitment of CRCOG and CRCOPA to providing meaningful, high-quality training opportunities that prepare officers for the complex challenges of modern law enforcement.

Join us at World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims on Sunday, November 16, 2025

The World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims (WDoR) is a global event held every third Sunday of November (November 16, 2025) to honor those who have lost their lives or been impacted by traffic violence.

Communities across the U.S. (and the world!) gather to call attention to the devastating cost of crashes and to advocate for proven strategies like redesigning streets, lowering speed limits, outfitting vehicles with life-saving technology, and more. This day also serves as a crucial opportunity for governments and those working in road safety to demonstrate the scale and impact of road-related deaths and injuries and advocate for immediate and concerted action to end this preventable public health crisis.

Families of traffic crash victims, road safety advocates, faith leaders, community members, and elected officials, including the Honorable Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz, will gather on Sunday, November 16, from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Walnut Hill Park band shell in New Britain to commemorate WDoR and to call for change in Connecticut. The Capitol Region Council of Governments has been a proud sponsor of this event for the past three years and encourages everyone to attend and advocate for significant changes to safeguard those who share our roads in Connecticut.

Family members of victims will share their stories, and there will be a roll call of pedestrians and bicyclists who have died on Connecticut roads. We will be joined together amongst a sea of small flags representing those who have died on our roads in the last year. Attendees are invited to carry photos of loved ones who were killed in a traffic crash, including while walking, bicycling, driving, working, or as a passenger in a vehicle.

CRCOG Celebrates Sustainability and Resiliency Week

In honor of the state’s second annual Sustainability and Resiliency Week, CRCOG is proud to highlight how we’re advancing sustainability and climate resilience across the region:

CRCOG at SUN Day: We joined the SUN Day event at CCSU on September 21, where our team connected with residents and shared how we’re working to move climate action forward. Thanks to everyone who stopped by our booth — we loved hearing your ideas and stories!

Resilient CT 2.0: Partnering with CIRCA, we integrated Phases I and II of Resilient Connecticut 2.0 into our 2024 Hazard Mitigation and Climate Adaptation Plan. We built a regional resilience framework and identified Resilience Opportunity Areas (ROARs) to guide future site-specific projects in Phase III.

Resilient East Hartford: We’re helping East Hartford tackle flooding and extreme heat in its downtown. The final report explores stormwater, heat impacts, and cooling corridors, and offers land use and resilience planning recommendations, especially for a pilot site at Main Street and Central Avenue.

Resilient Piper Brook: This project focuses on flood risks along the Piper Brook and Webster Brook corridor in Newington, Berlin, and New Britain. We’re developing flood mitigation strategies and river resilience designs for the most vulnerable areas.

CRCOG remains committed to building a more resilient and sustainable future for our region.

National School Bus Safety Week: A Call to Action for Safer Roads

Each October, National School Bus Safety Week (October 20-24) reminds us of the critical role we all play in keeping students safe on their way to and from school.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), illegal passing of school buses remains a serious issue, with tens of thousands of violations reported daily. These dangerous actions put children’s lives at risk.

Let’s work together to make every school day a safe one. Whether you’re a driver, parent, or student, your actions matter.

School buses are among the safest vehicles on the road, but the greatest risk often occurs outside the bus — when children are boarding or exiting/ This year, act with these important safety reminders:

Drivers: Always stop when a school bus extends its stop arm and flashes red lights. It’s illegal in every state to pass a stopped school bus. Stay alert in school zones and neighborhoods, especially during morning and afternoon hours.
Parents: Teach your children to arrive at the bus stop early, stay at least 10 feet from the curb, and wait for the driver’s signal before boarding.
Students: Always look left-right-left before crossing the street and never walk behind the bus.

CRCOG Anniversaries

This month, we celebrate Kim Bona’s eight-year anniversary with CRCOG! As a Program Manager in the Municipal Services Department, Kim plays a vital role in our region leading the Capitol Region Purchasing Council, coordinating monthly Municipal Services Committee meetings, and overseeing the Crumbling Foundation Reimbursement Program.

Her dedication and leadership continue to make a lasting impact. Catch Kim in our #CRCOGWhat video spotlighting her work with CRPC and be sure to send her your congratulations!

CRCOG Funding Opportunities

State and Federal Funding Opportunities

Have you read our latest funding newsletter? View the archives. Contact Elizabeth Sanderson for more information or to share specific information about a project that you need funding for. Here are some featured opportunities:

State of Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CT DEEP) has several open opportunities:

Open Space & Watershed Land Acquisition Grant Program seeks to support the purchase or long-term protection of land with ecological or recreational value. Deadline: November 3.
Brownfield Grants offered through the CERLCA 128(a) Program seeks to fund projects that enable the creation, preservation, or addition of parks, greenways, or other publicly accessible recreational spaces. Deadline: December 5.
CT Recreational Trails Grant Program will accept applications until December 18.
ConneCTed Communities Grant program seeks to bring quality, reliable internet services to communities across Connecticut. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis.

Federal Grants:

U.S. DOT will update the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Bridge Investment Program (BIP) for Planning Grants and Bridge Projects (those with eligible costs of $100M or less) soon.
Another round of the BUILD Grant Program (formerly RAISE) is anticipated to be announced in November. This is an excellent opportunity to apply for funds for surface transportation projects with significant local or regional impact. Read the 2025 NOFO to prepare your application.