Your Capitol Region Update: Learn About Tolland, EPA Funding for CRCOG, the Capital Region Dive Team + More

July 23, 2026 | Issue 7

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Get to Know the Town of Tolland, CT

Photo from right to left: The town of Tolland celebrates America's 250th Anniversary.Exit 68 off of the I-84 highway going eastbound.

Named in 1715 and incorporated in May 1722 from Windsor, Tolland has long balanced its historic roots with forward-looking governance. Much of the town remains residential, undeveloped, and forested, anchored by two state forests and several municipal parks that preserve its rural character.

Tolland operates under the Council-Manager form of government, with the Council setting policy and strategic direction. Chris Moran is the current Council chair and serves on CRCOG’s Policy Board. Town Manager Brian Foley oversees daily operations and implements the Council’s policy decisions.

Putting CRCOG’s Job Order Contracting (JOC) to Work

Earlier this year, Tolland's Department of Public Works turned to CRCOG's Job Order Contracting (JOC) program to deliver a high-stakes project funded through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), with a budget of $1 million and a tight deadline due to the 2024 ARPA funding expiration. project. The town funded a new Public Works building for the town.

Photo from left to right: Jim York, Gordian; Heather Welsh, Gordian; Jon Graney (Tolland Town Council); Kim Bona, CRCOG; Jennifer Buckler (Tolland Town Council), Lori Spielman, Former Ellington First Selectperson; Megan Massa (Projects/Grants Manager), Scott Lappen, DPW Director; Jacob Marie, Tolland Town Council, Chair; Brian Foley, Town Manager; Rev. Jeffrey Gallagher, Senior Pastor of the United Congregational Church of Tolland

Tolland partnered with Millennium Builders and Gordian, leveraging the JOC program's flexibility to make real-time scope adjustments, including using town personnel for portions of the installation. That adaptability drove additional cost savings and helped the project land on time and on budget.

Tolland's experience shows how JOC can move a project forward even under tight constraints, proof that the right procurement tool can make all the difference.

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CRCOG receives $500K EPA Funding for Brownfields Program

Recently, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $500,000 in supplemental funding to the Capitol Region Council of Governments, a high-performing Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) grantee in Connecticut. With these funds, EPA is investing directly in American communities to cleanup and redevelop blighted properties, delivering on the Trump Administration’s commitment to ensure that clean air, land, and water go hand-in-hand with economic growth and opportunity.

Read the full article here.

Read our Funding Opportunities newsletter to learn more about how you can apply for assistance.

Dive in: Get to know the Capitol Region Dive team

When most people think of public safety, water rescue isn't usually the first thing that comes to mind. Meet the Capital Region DIVE Team , a specialized group of emergency responders who serve the Greater Hartford Region. They deploy year-round for underwater search, rescue, and recovery missions on behalf of law enforcement across all 41 communities in Region 3.

The team is staffed by personnel from eight member municipalities: Hartford, East Hartford, West Hartford, Glastonbury, Rocky Hill, Wethersfield, South Windsor, and Vernon. Using sonar, remotely operated underwater equipment, and SCUBA divers, they locate and recover evidence, submerged vehicles, and other objects of public safety concern.

Regional collaboration is at the core of how the team operates. They train and respond alongside the Connecticut State Police Dive Team, the New Britain Police Dive Team, and the Middletown Dive Team, allowing the region to mount a coordinated response to any water emergency rather than relying on a single department. Each training focuses on a different aspect of water recuse ensuring the team stays up to date and ready.

As Detective Drew Jacobson, Wethersfield Police Department, puts it: "People probably don't know enough about us — often we are the unsung heroes. It's dangerous; there are currents and unknown things in the water." As he puts it, the team is available 24/7.

The Capital Region Dive team is just one of several ways municipalities within the CRCOG region are working together and sharing resources.

See the team in action.

Enfield Breaks Ground on Transit-Oriented Future with New CMDA-Financed Housing Development

Big things are coming to Thompsonville Village! The Connecticut Municipal Development Authority (CMDA) has approved financing for its very first project, and it's a landmark one for the state's transit-oriented development goals.

The mixed-use residential development will rise adjacent to the planned Enfield train station, bringing more than 150 new residential units to Enfield's high-density waterfront neighborhood. CMDA is backing the project with a $9.36 million investment — roughly $60,000 per unit — with 20% of units set aside as workforce housing and the remaining 80% offered at market rate, striking a balance between growth and accessibility.

It's a milestone moment not just for Enfield, but for Connecticut as a whole: this marks the first CMDA-financed project to advance transit-oriented development and revitalize a downtown corridor anywhere in the state.

"Enfield is aiming for the future as a place to play, work, and live," said Aaron Marcavitch, Director of Economic & Community Development for the Town of Enfield. "This project, which hinges on the new Enfield Train Station, will be a transformational opportunity for our town. Serving as a linkage between Thompsonville Village downtown, the Connecticut River, and Enfield at large, this project will bring housing and investment to our downtown core, positioning the community for economic growth and an inter-connected future."

With housing, transit, and downtown revitalization converging in one project, Thompsonville Village is poised to become a model for what's possible when smart investment meets a community ready to grow.

Behind Every Great Park Is a Great Employee—Say Thanks This Parks & Recreation Month

Thank yous are in order for the dedicated employees who work in our Parks and Recreation departments across our region, state, and country. Every July, communities across the United States celebrate Parks and Recreation Month, a national observance led by the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) since 1985. The month recognizes the vital role that parks, trails, open spaces, recreation programs, and dedicated park professionals play in creating healthy, vibrant, and connected communities.

For municipalities, parks are much more than places to play. They are our gathering places; families and friends spend time together, and residents of all ages can enjoy recreation and wellness opportunities. From playgrounds and sports fields to walking trails and community events, parks help foster a sense of belonging and strengthen community bonds.

Parks and recreation services contribute to public health by encouraging active lifestyles, supporting mental well-being, and providing access to nature. Next time you go to your local park, take a class, or host an event at one of your town’s public spaces, remember there are employees making this a reality.

CRCOG Anniversaries

Join us in celebrating Cheryl, Mike, Sotoria, and Dagmar on their work anniversary!

Your commitment, expertise, and teamwork help make CRCOG stronger every day. Thank you for everything you do. We appreciate you!

CRCOG Funding Opportunities

State and Federal Funding Opportunities

Have you read the latest funding newsletter? Sign up to receive future issues or view the archives. Contact Elizabeth Sanderson for more information or for help applying for a grant. Here are some featured opportunities:

CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) has announced two new funding opportunities:
Open Space & Watershed Land Acquisition (OSWA), due November 6, 2026. Learn more.
Urban Green and Community Garden (UGCG), due December 4, 2026. Learn more.
CT Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) will accept applications for their new Greyfield Revitalization Program until August 5, 2026. The program seeks to improve economic and community development by revitalizing underutilized buildings and structures. Learn more and apply through the online application portal.
CRCOG’s Brownfield Revolving Loan Fund Program (RLF) - CRCOG has issued a Request for Applications to fund brownfield cleanup projects. Loans and subgrants are available. Applications will be accepted until funds are obligated. Learn more .