SECOG Legislative Committee to Hold Special Meeting on Thursday, May 13th, at 11:00am:

CT Department of Transportation Opens Comment Periods for Niantic Rail Station Study and Transit Service Change Proposal:

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CT DOT) is accepting comments on a draft feasibility study evaluating the potential for a passenger rail station in the Town of East Lyme’s village of Niantic, as well as proposed service changes to CT Transit bus service and rail services, including Shore Line East.

SECOG to Hold Public Hearing on Requests to Amend Metropolitan Transportation Plan:

The Southeastern Connecticut Council of Governments (SECOG) will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, May 19th, beginning at 8:30am, in regards to two proposed amendments to the Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP). The proposed amendments seek to add two transportation projects to the MTP.

The public hearing will be held remotely over Zoom. Instructions for accessing the Zoom hearing are contained in the agenda below.

A 30-day public comment period will begin May 10th and end June 8th. Copies of the proposed amendments are linked below. Comments may be sent to [email protected].

Public Hearing Notice, Amendments, and Attachments

Meeting Agenda for Public Hearing, with Zoom Participation Instructions (updated 5/11/21)

Global Resilience Institute Completes Regional Resilience Baseline Assessment on Behalf of the State of Connecticut and DEMHS Region 4 Regional Resilience Steering Committee:

The State of Connecticut contracted with the Global Resilience Institute (GRI), out of Northeastern University, to produce baseline assessments of the initial and on-going impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic, in each of Connecticut’s five Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (DEMHS) regions.

The baseline assessment provides a firm knowledge base to the DEMHS Region 4 Regional Recovery Steering Committee. The report can be used to identify fundable initiatives moving forward, and served to demonstrate need for such funding. The final report for DEMHS Region 4 was completed in late February 2021.

Regional Resilience Baseline Assessment, DEMHS Region 4

SECOG Solicits Applications for the Congestion Mitigation Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ) Program:

On December 10th, SECOG began a solicitation of CMAQ projects from municipalities and transit districts. CMAQ is a federally funded program that funds a wide range of projects that addresses traffic congestion and air quality. Eligible projects include transit facility improvements, bicycle paths, and alternative-fuel vehicle purchases. A detailed listing of eligible projects is included in the CMAQ guide below.

Project applications must be submitted to SECOG by Friday, February 19th. SECOG will submit prioritized projects to the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) by April 7th.

Contact SECOG Transportation Program Manager, Kate Rattan if you have questions or require assistance.

CT DOT CMAQ Application
CT DOT CMAQ Guide
CT DOT CMAQ Memo
Worksheet: Buy America Waiver Requests for Vehicle or Equipment Projects (Excel)

State of Connecticut Seeks Volunteers for COVID-19 Relief and Programs

Volunteers are needed with a wide range of skills, to step up and and assist in COVID-19 programs across the state. Volunteers may be assigned to assist in hospitals, at vaccination and testing sites, with administrative tasks, to help deliver food to those who need to self-isolate or quarantine, and more. 

Visit https://portal.ct.gov/Coronavirus/Information-For/Volunteers to learn how to volunteer in medical and non-medical settings.

SECOG Meets with Southeastern Connecticut Legislative Delegation to Discuss 2021 Legislative Agenda

On January 27th, the Southeastern Connecticut Council of Governments held its annual meeting with the region’s legislative delegation to discuss SECOG’s 2021 legislative priorities.

Video Recording

2021 Legislative Agenda

SECOG Adopts Regional Transportation Safety Plan

Under contract with the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT), VN Engineers has prepared a plan entitled: Regional Transportation Safety Plan, Southeastern Region Connecticut. The plan is intended to help SECOG-member municipalities coordinate with the CTDOT in an effort to reduce fatal and injurious vehicle crashes on their local roads. The plan was prepared with local input, and was adopted by the SECOG Board at its regular meeting on January 20, 2021.

Regional Transportation Safety Plan, Southeastern Region Connecticut

SECOG Involved in Long-term Recovery Effort:

Staff at SECOG, the Northeastern Connecticut Council of Governments (NECCOG), and the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP), Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (DEMHS), Region 4 are staffing and coordinating a region-wide long-term recovery effort with municipalities, non-profits, business leaders, faith-based organizations, and healthcare providers across eastern Connecticut. The DEMHS Region 4 Recovery Steering Committee convened on June 24th and is part of the State’s long-term recovery framework.

Information related to this effort can be found on the DEMHS Region 4 Recovery Steering Committee webpage.

SECOG Undertakes City of Groton Parking Plan as a Continuation of SUBASE New London Joint Land Use Study (JLUS) Effort:

SECOG is working with the City of Groton to develop a plan to manage the supply of parking for City businesses, residents, and visitors. The plan will help the City determine strategies to meet current and future parking needs, while preserving the City’s desirability as a place to live and work. SECOG received a grant from the U.S. Department of Defense Office of Economic Adjustment (OEA) to support this work.

Visit https://www.cityofgrotonparkingplan.com/ for additional information and updates.