December 18 , 2025 | Issue 12 | | |
As we close out another year, we extend our sincere thanks to our municipal members, community stakeholders, and employees for your continued commitment to strengthening and improving the Hartford region. Your collaboration, dedication, and shared vision make a meaningful impact on the communities we serve.
Because of you, 2025 was a year of progress and momentum. Together, we advanced a comprehensive Regional Housing Strategy, provided 26 training sessions for public safety personnel in our region, and released our Third Places report to support local economic development and community connection. We also directed more than $61 million in transportation investments, including
over $34 million in federally funded projects and nearly $27 million through the state’s Local Transportation Capital Improvement Program (LOTCIP). In addition, the members of our Capitol Region Purchasing Council (CRPC) saved $2.1 million this past year and completed $31.8 million in projects under our Job Order Contracting (JOC) program. Our communities have faced challenges, but we continue to work in collaboration to find solutions. These efforts help move our region forward in lasting ways.
We are grateful for your trust and partnership, and for the important work we do together every day. We wish you and your families a safe, restful, and joyful holiday season, and best wishes for a healthy, prosperous, and successful 2026. We look forward to continuing our work together in the year ahead.
With gratitude and warm regards,
Matt Hart, Executive Director
This newsletter is an 8-minute read. Happy reading!
| | Connecticut Adopts HB 8002: A New Era for Growth Housing and Regional Planning | | |
Connecticut’s New Housing Bill
Late last month Governor Lamont signed HB 8002, An Act Concerning Housing Growth. Both chambers of the Connecticut General Assembly passed the bill in early November on a party line vote.
The Governor’s endorsement of HB 8002 follows his veto of HB 5002, passed by the CGA this past spring. Knowing that the Governor could call a special session and that another bill was imminent, the CT Association of Councils of Governments (CTCOG), the CT Conference of Municipalities (CCM), and the CT Council of Small Towns (COST) formed a coalition to advocate for a different approach that would have fewer mandates, provide towns with more incentives to promote housing development, and leverage the planning expertise of the COG’s.
Read the full post.
| | Looking for Flexibility? Discover a Smarter Time & Attendance Solution for Municipalities | | |
Is your municipality looking for a flexible, efficient way to log, track, and manage employee time and attendance? Look no further than Novatime/UKG Ready Time and Attendance Software and Solutions.
Offered through CRCOG’s Master Contract with Andrews Technology, save time and money through Time and Attendance workforce management software solutions.
Designed to streamline workforce management in an ever-changing environment, Novatime provides features such as:
- Online portals for employees, administrators, and managers to easy navigate attendance, leave requests, accruals, approvals, and more
- Real-time monitoring and a biometric clock, integrating state-of-the-art technology, including facial recognition and fingerprint scanners
- Flexible workforce solutions for remote and hybrid employees
- Unified platform to integrate seamlessly with HR and payroll systems
- Optimized workflow processes
- Detailed data reporting and flexible configurations allowing customization for breaks, overtime, work hours, and more
- Streamlined time tracking and attendance with transparency and consistency to comply with your organization policies and procedures
UKG Ready® solutions also brings payroll, time, scheduling, HR, benefits, and more together into one solution.
As your organization grows and adapts, Andrews Technology Time and Attendance solutions can scale to meet your workforce management needs. CRCOG overview: https://crcogct.gov/document/novatime-time-and-attendance-solution-overview-2025/.
For additional information on Time and Attendance Workforce Management solutions offered through CRCOG and Andrews Technology, please contact Robyn Nichols.
| |
CRCOG is hiring for a Senior or Principal Housing Planner | |
CRCOG is hiring! We're thrilled to announce an exciting opportunity for a Senior or Principal Housing Planner. If you're passionate about shaping housing policy, driving community impact, and making a difference across our region, this role may be for you!
Learn more: Senior or Principal Housing Planner and apply today!
| Lead the Conversation: Master Social Media for Public Leaders | |
What you say on social media matters, especially if you’re a leader or elected official. Your online presence shapes how communities perceive leadership, trust, and influence. Navigating this space can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone.
Join our social media training workshop to elevate your digital presence and strengthen your community impact! We’re excited to feature Sam Toles, founder & CEO of CiviSocial and former City Council Member, who understands the unique communication challenges of local government.
Sam will share strategies to help leaders master the art of social media storytelling.
Register today.
| Meet Stephanie, CRCOG’s new employee | |
We’re excited to announce that Stephanie Dominello has joined CRCOG as a Senior Transportation Engineer. After spending valuable time at home with her children, Stephanie brings a wealth of experience from her work at URS (now AECOM) and her time teaching in Manchester.
A lifelong resident of the Capitol Region, Stephanie grew up in Columbia and now calls West Hartford home, where she lives with her husband and four children. She’s passionate about creating a vibrant, connected region and looks forward to making a positive impact through her work.
Outside of engineering, Stephanie loves playing tennis, enjoys reading books, and is a big fan of UConn basketball, so don’t be surprised if you catch her cheering on the Huskies!
Please join us in welcoming Stephanie to the CRCOG team!
| |
This holiday season don’t drink and drive | |
The Christmas and New Year holiday period consistently sees an increase in impaired-driving crashes and fatalities. Recent data shows that December drunk-driving deaths are at a 15-year high. In response, law enforcement agencies across the state are increasing patrols as part of the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign, running December 11 through January 1. The goal of the campaign is simple: to educate the public about the dangers and legal consequences of driving under the influence—and to save lives.
Have a Plan, Whether You’re Driving, Riding, or Hosting
If you plan to celebrate this holiday season, plan your ride home in advance. Designate a sober driver, use public transportation or a rideshare service, and never get behind the wheel after drinking. If you are the designated driver, commit fully and avoid alcohol and drugs.
Additional safety reminders:
- Never drink and drive.
- Never let someone who has been drinking drive.
- If you’re hosting, ensure guests have safe transportation home.
- Call 911 if you see a suspected drunk driver.
- Always wear your seat belt, it’s your best protection in a crash.
| Kick off 2026 with Purposeful Professional Development | | |
The new year is right around the corner—now is the perfect time to invest in your growth as a leader. UConn’s School of Public Policy, through its Public Service Executive Leadership Collaborative (PSELC), is offering dynamic professional development opportunities to help you lead with confidence and impact.
January’s Workshop: The Art of Positive Employee Relations for Leaders
Friday, January 23, 2026 | 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Location: UConn Hartford Times Building, Hartford, CT
Instructor: Orlena Cowan-Bailey, Chief Elevation Officer, HR Zoom, LLC
Register by: Friday, January 16
This interactive session will provide practical strategies to strengthen workplace relationships, enhance communication, and foster positive organizational culture.
Explore PSELC’s full lineup of 2026 workshops and register today to reserve your spot. Start the year strong and lead with intention.
| | This month, we’re celebrating Caitlin Palmer! She’s marking seven amazing years with CRCOG, bringing her expertise as an urban planner to our team. Before joining us, Caitlin worked with the City of Hartford. Thank you for all you do. | | CRCOG Funding Opportunities | | |
State and Federal Funding Opportunities
Have you read the latest funding newsletter? View the archives. Contact Elizabeth Sanderson for more information or if you would like help applying for a grant. Here are some featured opportunities:
CRCOG:
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Local Transportation Capital Improvement Program (LOTCIP) - CRCOG will accept proposals from member municipalities until 2 pm on February 18, 2026. Learn more.
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Brownfield Revolving Loan Fund Program (RLF) - CRCOG will accept applications on a rolling basis until funds are obligated, with our first application cutoff anticipated on February 2, 2026. Learn more.
State of Connecticut:
Federal Grants:
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U.S. DOT issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity for the FY26 BUILD Grant Program (previously RAISE). Read CRCOG’s summary. Applications are due by 5 pm on February 24, 2026.
- 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 Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Grant Program is anticipated to be announced in Spring 2026.
| | CRCOG Meetings and Events | | | | |
