Innovative Ideas for Managing Local Government - 2022 by Connecticut Conference of Municipalities

A Connecticut Town & City Compendium

Dear CCM Member, We are pleased to present Innovative Ideas for Managing Local Government. It’s our 35th annual compilation of great ideas from around the state that will help municipal leaders run local governments more effectively, efficiently, and equitably. These ideas save taxpayers money, while also providing municipal services that enhance community life. The ideas are reprinted from Connecticut Town & City, the quarterly magazine of the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities (CCM). Connecticut Town & City developed these stories from many sources, including visits to Connecticut local governments; suggestions from municipal officials; newspapers and magazines in Connecticut and other states; publications of the National League of Cities; and publications of other state municipal leagues. We would be happy to hear from readers about any ideas we should publish in the future. For further information on any article, please contact Managing Editor Kevin Maloney at (203) 498-3025 or kmaloney@ccm-ct.org. Happy Reading! © 2021 – 2022

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OFFICERS President Luke Bronin, Mayor of Hartford 1st Vice President Thomas Dunn, Mayor of Wolcott 2nd Vice President Laura Hoydick, Mayor of Stratford DIRECTORS Jason Bowsza, First Selectman of East Windsor Mary Calorio, Town Manager of Killingly Fred Camillo, First Selectman of Greenwich Elinor Carbone, Mayor of Torrington Paula Cofrancesco, First Selectman of Bethany Justin Elicker, Mayor of New Haven John A. Elsesser, Town Manager of Coventry Carl P. Fortuna, Jr., First Selectman of Old Saybrook Joseph P. Ganim, Mayor of Bridgeport Matthew Hoey, First Selectman of Guilford Matthew S. Knickerbocker, First Selectman of Bethel Rudolph P. Marconi, First Selectman of Ridgefield W. Kurt Miller, Chief Fiscal Officer of Ansonia Edmond V. Mone, First Selectman of Thomaston Maureen Nicholson, First Selectman of Pomfret Michael Passero, Mayor of New London Brandon Robertson, Town Manager of Avon John L. Salomone, City Manager of Norwich Caroline Simmons, Mayor of Stamford Gerard Smith, First Selectman of Beacon Falls Erin E. Stewart, Mayor of New Britain

Innovative ideas in... Civic Acheivement & Amenities Economic Development

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Education

Energy

Environment

Governance

Housing & Infrastructure

Public Safety

Social Welfare

Technology

Mark B. Walter, Town Administrator of Columbia

PAST PRESIDENTS Michael Freda, First Selectman of North Haven Neil O’Leary, Mayor of Waterbury Herbert Rosenthal, Former First Selectman of Newtown

CCM STAFF Executive Director, Joe DeLong Deputy Director, Ron Thomas Managing Editor, Kevin Maloney Layout & Design, Matthew Ford Writer, Christopher Gilson

INNOVATIVE IDEAS 2022 | 3

CIVIC ACHIEVEMENT

Singing The Praises

Ansonia’s Opera House might have a second life after all

efore the internet, before television, before movies, there was the theater. Plays and orchestras from around the world could be seen in theaters and opera houses in your own hometown. Then modernity happened and they fell out of favor. But the buildings that housed them still stand, and the Ansonia Opera House might just have a future. Built just after the conclusion of the Civil War, the Ansonia Opera House was for decades the jewel of the area. Those with an interest in music could go see a show right at 100 Main Street. Though Enrico Caruso and Maria Callas could still sell records, Opera began to fall out of fashion. But the building had other uses. According to some sources, graduations and boxing matches all took place under the same roof. That wasn’t enough to keep the Opera House open and functional, and ever since a Fire Marshall closed it down in 1971, it has remained dormant. Thanks to the power of social media though, interest has been revived in this old building along with its counterpart in Derby, the Sterling Opera House. Many people were seeing pictures inside for the first time because a few enterprising individuals with a spooky side to them decided to go looking for ghosts in these halls. While some looked for specters, others saw the beauty even amongst the decay. Cracked plaster and peeling

4 | INNOVATIVE IDEAS 2022

paint aside, the bones were there and could be restored once again. Or “recharged” might be better. Already discussed in the pages of CT&C, Ansonia Recharged is a fullfledged economic development program with a theme song to go with it. With so much growth in the town, Mayor David Cassetti – a music lover himself – felt the time was right to get a place to see a show in town. After months of work between the corporation counsel, the Mayor, the Board of Alderman, and the current owners, the town of Ansonia is officially leasing the building for $1 a month for the next 30 years. They know that the building is going to need perhaps millions in repairs, but they hope to get grants to bring this once majestic building back to life. At some point, the future of the building was certain – although some retail was available on the first floor, the building was soon to have more in common with the ghosts that are said to walk its halls than the revitalized center outside. Now it has a fighting chance like an underdog boxer that once fought here. Maybe there will be shows, or maybe there will be graduations here once again. What is for certain is that now it doesn’t feel so much like the Opera has ended, the curtains drawn. Now it’s just getting ready for its second act.

CIVIC AMENTITIES It’s A Great Day For Our Town Chaplin play recreates the first town hall meeting on 200th anniversary

n municipal government, everybody has a role to play. With so many moving parts, everybody must be on cue to keep the show going. That is how Chaplin has run for 200 years now, and they’re celebrating with a reenactment of the First Town Meeting.

finally, in 1822, members of this growing community met with the towns of Mansfield, Hampton and Windham to negotiate the creation of a new town named in honor of the man who built that first church. On July 4, 1822, they had their first town meeting.

Just before it was incorporated, the town was formed around a church that was constructed because Benjamin Chaplin disliked the long travel to his church. From the official town history, he bequeathed $1500 to form an ecclesiastical society that would build a new church on one condition – that church must be built within a mile and a quarter of his home.

Fast forward 200 years and the town of Chaplin will be recreating that meeting in the same church that it originally took place in.

Within 10 years of this church being built, 25 homes, a tavern, and a general store were put up. And

After putting out a casting call in February, Rusty Lanzit told me that this was not so much a reenactment, but a reenactment of a reenactment. At the 250th anniversary celebration in 1972, they put on this play of the original meeting. It features performers taking on the roles of Jeremiah Holt, Mr. Church, Pricilla Black, George England (to

be performed by First Selectman Juan Roman), Father and Son from Hampton, Captain Erastus Hough, Orin Witter, Reverend Andus, and Lois Robbins. But the most interesting aspect of the play is the role of the moderator who will be played a person who attended that first performance in 1972 as a child. Each town and city in Connecticut has an interesting foundational story in it. Because Benjamin Chaplin didn’t like having to travel so far, there is now a town named in his honor. This play reenactment might be a fun part of the bicentennial celebrations, but it’s also a way to honor where came from and the importance of local government along the way.

At 1 Chaplin Street in Chaplin is a small Greek Revival building erected in 1840 as the Town Hall. The current Chaplin Town Hall is located at 495 Phoenixville Road.

INNOVATIVE IDEAS 2022 | 5

CIVIC ACHIEVEMENT History In Zeros and Ones Derby Map Highlights Places Of Yore

municipality is not just the square miles or population or form of government, but the sum total of the history that led us to today. In Derby, one enterprising historical society member brought that history to the modern age by creating a digital map of historic Birmingham Borough. Though the town holds the distinction for being the smallest, that wasn’t always so. Starting out as a much larger area, Jack Walsh, former head of the Derby Historical Society, decided to concentrate on an area of town that was known as Birmingham Green or Birmingham Borough. It was built during a time in which the economy was struggling, and seeking out ways to create new economic development, they built a green with Churches and other amenities. Users can virtually traverse the city – to the post office, train station, and library. These are all included on Walsh’s map. Noted in an interview with the New Haven Register, Walsh also says that some private residences are included in his map because of the significance of the individuals. One such individual was Henry Shelton Sanford, who would found another town in Florida as well as becoming a “pivotal figure in the colonization of what would be known as the Congo Free State.”

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This isn’t Walsh’s first endeavor in mapping out historical sites. On the Derby Historical Society website, you can access the Heritage Driving Tour, which includes information on the historic homes and locations throughout the entire Valley. The Yale Boat House, the Sterling Opera House, but perhaps most importantly, Roseland Apizza. From the Register article, Walsh said that he thinks that plaques should go up around town to commemorate these locations for future generations, especially with the ongoing construction. Currently, Derby is in the middle of the Route 34 project that will alter the current landscape where many historical buildings once stood. Often, some residents believe that the way things are are the way that things have always been, while others believe that we are currently experiencing unprecedented times. Diving deep into our rich past proves that both are true to some extent. (We’ve been through pandemics before, but until now, no one’s had Netflix to help get them through it.) While many of the buildings and locations that are marked on Walsh’s map are no longer there, they are part of the history of Derby. With towns and cities that are centuries old, each municipality would have a rich landscape to choose from should they map their own history.

CIVIC AMENTITIES

Getting Out On The Ice

New Canaan one step closer to public rink

f it’s going to be cold, you might as well have fun with it. That was the idea in New Canaan when they approved a special permit for an ice-skating rink at Waveny Park.

like a lot, but would average out to about $5 a day if you have it in you to skate that often. Additionally, they will add advertising opportunities to the rink that they expect to take in about $20,000 per season.

After what was described as a decade of work and multiple placement options, the town settled on Waveny Park for its location and size. The rink is set to be a “pop-up” situation for the town, as it will only run during the colder months.

All of this won’t be enough to get the plan off the ground, but fortunately, they got an investor that will help them and give the rink a name, too. Former State Senator Toni Boucher was able to donate $100,000 to the project, who said that it was a “missing gem” for the area. For her generosity, the rink will be named the Boucher Community Ice Rink in honor of the Senator and her late husband, Bud Boucher.

While the rink won’t be permanent, there will be some infrastructure that is needed to stay in place. That includes a chiller, which aids in the rink formation. The Zamboni, which refinishes the surface, will remain in a tent on-site, at least during the winter months when it is operational. Although mother nature helps a bit with the formation of the rink simply by being cold, running and maintaining the rink won’t be free. Some equipment, including the chiller, was purchased for $75,000 according to figured from the New Canaan Advertiser, and the yearly operating costs are expected to be $175,000 between staffing and other expenses. In order to recoup some of these costs, the town plans on instituting a skate fee which would be $10 for a day pass or $500 for the entire season, which may seem

There is still a need for additional funds to complete the rink plan, but the volunteers are working hard to make that happen. State Rep. Tom O’Dea, who represents New Canaan, is among those that are trying to get this plan off the ground, and First Selectman Kevin Moynihan had suggested ways that they might be able to make that a reality. What’s clear is that the community thinks this is a great idea for New Canaan. Ice Skating is a winter pastime that many can enjoy – it’s healthy exercise, it’s fun to get on the rink with friends and family, and if you can keep warm, it’s a nice way to spend some time outside even in the coldest months. INNOVATIVE IDEAS 2022 | 7

CIVIC ACHIEVEMENT Sing Us A Song Ansonia Man

New town song touts all that makes Ansonia Ansonia

n every town and city in Connecticut, there are talented individuals of all stripes. Some open restaurants after a lifelong passion for cooking, some paint lovely, expressive murals that enliven main streets, but rarer than that are the troubadours that write a song for their town. Ansonia’s Richard Demko did just that to give just a little buzz to his hometown. Inspired by and commissioned by the City of Ansonia, Demko’s song Ansonia Recharged was written specifically to promote its economic development and projects that the town is completing. On a map touting the progress of many of these projects available on the AnsoniaRecharged.com website show that over the past couple of years Ansonia has made significant updates to downtown – with many more to come.

On Restaurant Row and beyond, they’ve welcomed new local restaurants and companies into town, saw small start-ups find space for manufacturing, and designated an area as an opportunity zone that will hopefully entice more businesses with incentives and tax benefits. What was missing was the soundtrack. The story goes that Ansonia’s Corporation Counsel approached Demko about the possibility of writing a Yacht-rock single – think Michael McDonald and Dan Fogelberg – which is what Mayor David Cassetti generally has pumping through city hall’s speakers. In a fortnight, Demko produced a song that fit that criteria, playing almost all of the instruments on the track. He lent Heather Joseph take over the vocals and the guitar that you hear soloing in the background

is none other than Former State Senator George Logan, who is also an Ansonia resident. Though the lyrics tout all the great things to see and do in Ansonia, they decided that that wasn’t enough. What good is a theme song without a music video to go along with it? Mayor Cassetti traipsed through town, just as the lyrics implore the listener to do, stopping at many of the local restaurants, businesses, and assets that make Ansonia what it is. While Yacht Rock might not be the high voltage rock and roll of AC/ DC, the song provides enough of a charge to get the train rolling on Ansonia Recharged.

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CIVIC AMENTITIES One Man’s Trash Is Another’s Library Ashford Transfer Station Library getting renewed interest

ome good ideas are new and innovative – using a new technology to find efficiencies, for example. But some ideas are old and recycled and worth rediscovering. That’s the case in Ashford as people find out that the town’s Transfer Station has a library. That’s right. The town’s transfer station has a library. And while libraries are one of civilizations greatest and oldest innovations – the Ashford Transfer Station Library isn’t so much a library, but a place where residents can discard lightly used goods and books to be picked up by others. The online blog Connecticut Museum Quest, or CTMQ for short, explored the book exchange picking up classics like James Joyce’s Dubliners and books by Anthony Bourdain, and pledging to return the favor by dropping off a box of books that they no longer wanted. One might think that this is a unique and novel concept for the town to explore. It’s a way to continue the cycle of usefulness for goods that might otherwise be thrown out – Recycling has been around for decades, but now it’s gotten to the point where we use metal straws and wear shoes made out of recycled materials. Surely this place just opened. In a New York Times article dated November 19, 1995, they note that “the book exchange, started this year, is housed in an 8 foot by 12 foot plywood shed.”

“There are no lights and no windows but the shed is lined with shelves sagging under the weight of hundreds of books. People are invited to take as many as they want, and drop off what they’ve read.” Many ideas take time to suss out. Any new technology or concept needs to prove that it can stick around, and it seems that the people of Ashford themselves weren’t sure of this new library concept at the time. But they were sure seeing the joy that it brought to people. One attendant said that four out of five people coming to the transfer station also visited the library, comparing it to Grand Central Station. Twenty-six years later and the library is still being discovered by book lovers. And for something that works on the honor system, they’ve never run out of books. Pictures from CTMQ show perhaps hundreds of books ripe for the taking. CTMQ says that the concept is so obvious that one of these should exist at every Transfer Station in Connecticut, and maybe they’re right. With over 25 years of success, this innovative idea doesn’t need to prove itself any longer, it’s one that towns across the state can recycle for themselves.

CIVIC ACHIEVEMENT

The Wicked Cricket Pitch New sportsfield is a home-run for towns

aseball may be America’s pastime, but the sport of Cricket has seen a growing fan base in Connecticut. But despite similarities, the sport needs its own field. In Manchester, they renovated an old softball field so that the burgeoning sport has a place to grow in the city.

Thanks to work done in-house from the town engineering and public works departments, the project came in under budget, as quoted in the Courant article.

To say that Cricket is growing in popularity undersells the phenomenon. Second only to Football – Soccer to us Americans – Cricket holds a worldwide audience of 2.5 billion fans according to the World Atlas, mostly centered in former British Colonies like India and Australia.

This is exemplary of the growing popularity of the sport throughout Connecticut.

Compare that to Baseball’s 500 million fans worldwide. The rules of which are very similar to cricket as both are considered “bat-and-ball” games, where one team is batting and the other team is playing defense. With that kind of popularity around the world, it was bound to make its way to America. According to figures from the Hartford Courant, the Asian Pacific American population grew 65 percent in the last census period, which they argue led to the increasing popularity. Support came from Manchester Mayor Jay Moran and General Manager Scott Shanley who allocated $350,000 for the project in 2019 – to be reimbursed through the state’s Local Capital Improvement Program. The project, like so many others, was delayed due to the pandemic. 10 | INNOVATIVE IDEAS 2022

The Connecticut Cricket League boasts 16 teams from around the state, including teams from the Hartford area, Southern Massachusetts, and Southern Connecticut.

Earlier this year, the New Milford Town Council voted to approve the construction of a cricket field in town. The field would support the New Milford Cricket Club (NMCC), which has been active since 2006, who provided fundraising for the project, with additional funds coming from the Waste Management Fund according to the Danbury News Times. NMCC recently hosted what they called a “historic” cricket match between a local youth team and a youth team from Norwalk. (The match is available to watch on the NMCC YouTube page). As the sport grows in popularity around the state and around the country, the infrastructure is going to need to grow. Thanks to its similarities to Baseball, converting a field from one to another might prove a simple option. Thanks to efforts in Manchester and New Milford, the sport has room to grow, welcome fans new and old alike.

CIVIC AMENTITIES Culture In The Northwest Spring Hill Arts Gathering brings vibes, culture to Washington

ith Cultural Districts now available for all Connecticut municipalities to pursue, one of the key jumping points is looking at those cultural touchstones. In Washington, one of the newest cultural programs is the Spring Hill Arts Gathering held on seven days across two weekends this past summer. The Spring Hill Arts Gathering festival is being put on Spring Hill Vineyards, which was founded in 2006. Since then, they have put together entertainment and arts centers on their property, which is where most of the festivities were to be held. The goal of this festival is to connect artists with nature and encourage diverse perspectives with creative collaborations and discussions. Some of the highlights of the festival include music by KT Tunstall and Sophie B. Hawkins, a conversation with Graydon Carter, dance

programs, food vendors and a makers market. Tickets to the event were $45 for individual days, except the last day, which was free. One day is a cross promotion between SHAG and Pride in the Hills (PITH), an organization whose mission it is to “support, inspire, and celebrate LGBTQ+ people in the Greater Waterbury and the Litchfield Hills” areas. In addition to their day at SHAG, PITH has sponsored 160 young people to attend the True Colors Convention in Storrs, awarded grants and other financial support to LGBTQ+ groups, contributed to libraries in conjunction with the Gay, Lesbian, & Straight Education Network, and much more. The last day of the gathering was specifically produced as a Washington Town Party, featuring tributes to local town heroes, as well as local town artisans. This day was

free for all to attend. When discussing the possibility of cultural districts at a local webinar hosted by CCM in partnership with the Connecticut Main Street Center, they advised towns not to overlook important cultural happenings in town rather than singling out the usual museums and theatres as important cornerstones to the culture of a town. Festivals like the Spring Hill Arts Gathering festival are important in bringing the kinds of diverse crowds and new people from the area to a town like Washington. Especially with the focus on diversity with the partnership with Pride in the Hills and the reflection on the local with the Town Party, towns and cities across the state should reflect on those places where they see cultural value. That way, years down the line, they won’t be saying “Suddenly I see!”

INNOVATIVE IDEAS 2022 | 11

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT The Economic Development section of CT&C is sponsored by New Haven Terminal, Inc. Learn more at: www.newhaventerminal.com

Part of the equation is getting people into education programs, likeTunxis Community College and local public schools as well.

Bristol Works

ARPA money will go towards workforce development

n order for economic development to take hold in our towns and cities, businesses must want to put roots down in our state. And one of the best ways to do that is through workforce development, a fact that the Bristol ARPA task force is hoping to build upon. It’s been said for years that workforce development has changed dramatically since the advent of computer technology. In fact, a good definition of workforce development is to meet the needs of not just current businesses, but future businesses as well. With support from the Central Connecticut Chamber of Commerce, Bristol is looking into areas that they can enhance these efforts throughout the city. From an article in the Bristol Press, the Chamber’s CEO, Cindy Bombard, said that they would like to see programs to help jumpstart the workforce on basic manufacturing, information technology, healthcare, and early childhood development. These programs “are intended to provide skills and certifications so that would-be workers can jump into employment quickly.” The other side of this equation would be getting people into education programs from local schools. They

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are looking to partner not only with Tunxis Community College but with the local public schools as well. Like the famed “Silver Tsunami” that is affecting state government, a wave of retirements is going to hit many manufacturers and businesses who have long relied on a steady workforce comprised of individuals who were raised when these skills were more commonplace. Many times these jobs are now considered specialized. In the same Press article, Bristol Mayor Jeff Caggiano describes this issue, and is quoted as saying: “There’s a huge need for manufacturing, healthcare and IT. We know there are jobs out there that can’t be filled. We need a way to create jobs that will help.” At the time of writing this article, the town had not officially voted on this use of the ARPA funds, but it seems as if there is widespread support for a workforce development program. If we want our economic development to be sustainable, then we are going to need a trained workforce. Programs that bring in all the stakeholders like the one proposed in Bristol will make that difference in the future.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Economic Development Certified

CEDAS awards 12 municipalities for economic development and land use

espite the pandemic, towns and cities have been working tirelessly to make sure their economies grow. Since 2019, the Connecticut Economic Development Association (CEDAS) has been awarding towns and cities who have excelled in this area and have announced their 2022 certified communities. They created this Best Practices Certification Program to help participating municipalities improve the overall quality of economic development services by creating process standards; to drive communities to pursue excellence in land use and economic development; to accelerate sharing of best practices among community decision-makers; and to encourage more transparent, efficient, community-engaged economic development throughout Connecticut.

In a press release on the certified communities, CEDAS Board President Kristen Gorski said, “I commend this year’s accreditation recipients. To become a certified community is an immense achievement, which is a tribute to each municipality’s dedication to reviewing existing strategies, determining areas where the community excels, recognizing areas of improvement, and actively focusing on advancing economic vitality.” West Haven had put out a press release of its own citing work that had been done on Beach Street, the renovation of Allingtown Green, and the forthcoming opening of New England Brewing Co. as examples of projects that they believe led to their Silver Level accreditation. Towns that want to participate in this program must look at their economic development and land

use practices and policies through four key components: communications and marketing; coordination and collaboration; organizational capacity and strategy; and policies and programs. Towns are awarded on a medaled basis similar to the Sustainable CT system, where the highest achieving towns are awarded a gold level, while towns that have gone above and beyond are awarded a bronze. Each correspond to how many points they’ve received in each of those four areas, plus an additional bonus points for community choice and presentation of application. This year’s certified communities recipients are:

Gold Level: • Town of Cheshire • City of Norwalk • Town of Orange

Silver Level: • • • • • • • •

Town of Ellington Town of Guilford Town of Hamden Town of North Branford City of Torrington City of West Haven Town of Willington Town of Woodbridge

Bronze Level: • Town of Berlin CEDAS is a not-for-profit membership organization committed to advancing the practice and process of economic development in Connecticut. The organization provides a forum for the economic development community, hosts educational programs, fosters sustainable economic growth, and advocates to improve the Connecticut economy. CCM provides administrative services to CEDAS. More information is available at www.cedas.org

INNOVATIVE IDEAS 2022 | 13

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

New Vibes For Bridgeport

Sound on the Sound brings live music back to Seaside Park

ive music is a great connector. Everyone coming together, swaying to the music, holding up a lighter (or cell phone) during the ballad. Even during COVID, people yearn for those collective memories. In September, Bridgeport will be home to a festival that will be one for the memory bank. The new Sound on the Sound Festival will make its debut at Seaside Park in Bridgeport with headliners including Stevie Nicks, whose work both solo and with the legendary Fleetwood Mac speak for themselves, as well as a set by Dave Matthews with longtime collaborator Tim Reynolds. The organizers, Founders Entertainment, said that they want to put together a big late-summer draw for Connecticut. And with the success of the Governor’s Ball that they hold in New York every year, they

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already have links to the industry that will get them access to big names like Nicks and Dave (which is what his biggest fans call him). They will build on the success of Gathering of the Vibes, which had ended in 2015. Originally begun as a tribute to Grateful Dead singer Jerry Garcia, it had been held both in Bridgeport and in New York through its twenty year history. Founders Entertainment will honor the jam band roots by adding a second weekend of concerts in 2023 dedicated to jam bands in the tradition of the Vibes concert. But with festival circuits these days, organizers have to plan sometimes years in advance to get the headliners they want. And while Founders says they have four headlining acts over the two weekend days, many of the jam bands they wanted to book for the next weekend were

already billed somewhere else. And though September is quite a ways away, the festival will likely have vaccination or test requirements that have generally made these events relatively safe. The current unknowns are the total amount of acts that will play and who they will be, how much the ticket prices will be, and how popular this event will be. The organizers had suggested that up to 35,000 people can attend the event over the two days, and speaking to the Connecticut Post, discounts will be provided to Bridgeport residents. One thing for sure is that this will be a boon to Bridgeport. Any attendees of the past Gathering of the Vibes know what a great place Seaside Park and Bridgeport can be to see live music.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ARPA Programs Are Beginning Winchester using funds for economic development

ne thing that was sure to come out of the American Rescue Plan Act was a staggering amount of innovative ideas from our towns and cities. The town of Winchester is one of the first out of the gates with a program to kick start economic development downtown with the Business Start-Up program. According to the town’s press release, the town will be dispensing forgivable loans from $500 to $10,000 to applicants to help open a new business within Winchester/ Winsted, given that they meet all the required criteria. Funding will help prospective business owners acquire property, make improvements to their business site, or hire additional employees that can help them expand. Other possibilities for receiving the grant money are available, but eligibility would be determined by the town. The eligibility requirements are fairly simple: a complete application must be submitted, operations must be in town borders, it must be a new business or new to Winchester, it must be opened within six months of awarded money and open at least 30 hours, moving into a visible area, and the business must demonstrate their value to the community. (A full, detailed list of requirements is available at the town’s website.) In order to help facilitate this program, the town has designated $50,000 to a part-time director of Eco-

nomic Development who will be responsible for guiding in the growth of the local economy as well as an additional $40,000 for town marketing and economic development activities. In addition to the ARPA funds, the town is using funds from the Building Healthier Communities Fund for a $150,000 Façade Improvement Program. These funds are also forgivable loans between $500 and $20,000 to businesses in Winchester that are aimed at improving the exterior or visible interior of a commercial or industrial building. Unlike the Business Start-Up program, these funds are aimed at businesses that already existed in town, or for current owners of vacant buildings or storefronts. It’s evident that economic development will be a crucial piece during recovery from the pandemic. While the news shows that the economy is rolling along, many towns and cities have felt the hit as fewer people walk down their main streets, patronizing the local businesses and restaurants that are the cornerstone of our municipalities. As we move on through the year, we will begin to see more and more stories from around the state sharing just what Connecticut’s municipalities are going to be doing with ARPA funds. The programs here in Winchester are just the beginning.

INNOVATIVE IDEAS 2022 | 15

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 2031 Seems So Far Away

State pot of community investment money says its time to plan for it now

hile towns and cities across the state grapple with how to properly use the ARPA funds that were allocated in response to COVID, there’s another batch of funds that will become available in the next year for distressed communities. The Community Investment Fund 2030, part of this year’s budget is offering qualifying towns a chance to make a huge change. At a time when investment in our towns and cities is more crucial than ever – these funds will be allocated to projects proposed by municipalities and vetted by the Board and the Governor. Quoted in a CTMirror article, House Speaker Matt Ritter said that they want the eligible towns and cities to think big with their proposals; “These pots of money are going to be for projects you can look back at in five or 10 years and see a difference.” Though the projects aren’t as constricted as ARPA funds, there are some sample ideas that were given to guide the thought-process for municipalities. “Projects that can be funded will serve the purpose of including but not limited to: To provide financing and loans for small businesses located in eligible municipalities; Improvements to water and sewer infrastructure to boost economic development; Affordable housing; Improvements to energy resiliency projects; Build facilities such as senior centers and libraries.” Used in concert with ARPA funds and in the event that some form of infrastructure bill gets passed, these next few years can be transformative for the towns and cities of Connecticut to reinvigorate their infrastructure, economic development and more, leaving them much better suited to tackle the land16 | INNOVATIVE IDEAS 2022

“These pots of money are going to be for projects you can look back at in five or 10 years and see a difference.” scapes of tomorrow.

total of 10 years.

In a press release on the subject, State Senator Doug McCrory said “This fund is a significant opportunity to provide direct support to communities that for decades have been underserved and marginalized.”

Although these funds are not being allocated to every town and city in Connecticut, many of these distressed municipalities are hubs of their local economies, so any investment in them is an investment in their respective regions. This led Speaker Ritter to ask towns to work with local civic groups on where this investment would best be served.

“With this source of funding we can invest in projects that will create jobs, help residents gain the skills needed for a 21st century economy, and more to meet the needs of the entire family.” These funds are guaranteed to last for five years, with an option to extend it for five more years for a

Ten years is a long time – and no doubt you would see change. But with smart planning and big thinking, the Community Investment Fund 2030 could be a key part of a better future for Connecticut.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Goodbye Paycheck-To-Paycheck Lifestyle

Hartford is looking into a Universal Basic Income, a concept older than you

here is a growing segment of the population that believes the best way to solve inequity is simply to give people money, no strings attached. Supporters of a so-called Universal Basic Income include charitable billionaires, presidential candidates, and a surprisingly diverse group across the political spectrum. Hartford is now designing a test program that will send $500 a month to 25 single parents or guardians. It might come as a shock that just handing people money has become a popular concept, but the idea goes back centuries, getting nods from individuals like Utopia writer Sir Thomas More and Patriot and Common Sense author Thomas Paine. In the modern era, it has been touted by Republicans and Democrats with elderly and disabled individuals guaranteed a minimum income through programs like Social Security. The concept is simple: Give People Money. This was even the title of a book on the subject by Annie Lowrey. The kind of no-strings-attached wealth distribution has been tried in many places, notably in third world countries where people are subsisting on less than a few dollars a day. Receiving an allotment of money was able to change entire economies, and Lowrey gives examples of areas where individuals were able to start businesses and become self-reliant. This is the reflex where a Universal Basic Income receives support across the spectrum. Since individuals are receiving money, their reliance on welfare programs diminishes. In Hartford, the task force in designing the program believes that participants in the test might be asked to give fingernail or hair samples in order to test for stress levels. In this testing phase, the participants are going to be asked to work

Annie Lowrey’s Give People Money: How a Universal Basic Income Would End Poverty, Revolutionize Work, and Remake the World makes a case for UBI

with the panel designing the program to look at household necessities, how the UBI money is being spent, and what the outcomes are. One reason that the UBI program chose single parents is so they can look at the children’s test scores with the idea that they will increase.

Income Inequality in 2021 is at one of the highest levels in history, and in 2017, Ray Dalio of Bridgewater Associates shared a linkedin post showing that the top .1% of earners owned almost as much wealth as the bottom 90%. The last time this happened was in the late 20s.

One obvious question is: Who pays for it? In Hartford, like in many other UBI programs around the world, there is a private backer – either a charity or individual. But programs that approximate UBI in America like Social Security are paid with taxes. And the checks that were parts of Presidents Trump and Biden’s recovery plans were a kind of UBI on a limited basis.

Though they are still planning how the UBI will look in Hartford, it’s a sign of things to come around the country. With the popularity of the stimulus checks and support from billionaires like Elon Musk, it wouldn’t be shocking to see these programs grow. With growing income inequality, you might even call it common sense.

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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT You Mean Like The Mall?

Municipalities take the initiative to repurpose vacant retail properties

onnecticut’s malls and retail centers have been hit especially hard in the wake of the pandemic. However, these same struggling and often vacant properties present unique opportunities for repurposing and adaptive reuse. “The best use and most appropriate plan of implementation will vary by property and municipality,” says Pullman & Comley attorney Gary B. O’Connor, co-chair of Pullman & Comley’s Real Estate, Energy, Environmental and Land Use Department. “But there is consensus that time is running out. Municipalities must be proactive and take steps to ensure that these properties can be adapted to meet evolving market demands and community preferences, before decisions are made by out-of-state lenders or discount purchasers that don’t necessarily take into consideration the best interests of the communities in which these properties are located.” Some New England municipalities have already begun to work with owners to adapt retail centers to new or expanded uses. The CitySquare project in Worcester transformed a vacant mall into over 2 million square feet of desirable commercial, medical, retail, entertainment, and residential space. This mixed use project included public-private financing: $25 million state financing, $70 million from the City of Worcester; $470 million in private development funds. Redevelopment of multiple big box stores are currently under consideration in New Hampshire. As mall properties tend to be centrally located and well-connected to transit, with large numbers of parking spaces, they also represent attractive spaces for potential housing developments, including affordable housing projects. In Trumbull, the city’s planning and zoning commission gave its ap18 | INNOVATIVE IDEAS 2022

Home Sweet Home?

proval last October on the plan to build 260 apartments at the Trumbull Mall, after having voted in favor of regulations in 2018 that paved the way for the project. Centennial Real Estate, the owner of the Connecticut Post Mall, has not enjoyed similar results. In October 2020, Milford P&Z rejected a proposal which would have allowed a 300unit apartment building at the mall. Current planning and zoning regulations in many Connecticut municipalities are relatively restrictive, offering little flexibility with respect to the types of uses allowed in a particular zone. This poses a time-consuming and expensive challenge to owners of malls and large retail centers who are attempting to avoid financial ruin. “It is incumbent upon municipalities, particularly their land use agencies and boards, to be more cognizant of the dramatic changes that are presently occurring in the retail industry,” says Pullman &

Comley attorney Amanda G. Gurren. “They need to create workable standards and expedited approval processes that will allow for the necessary repurposing, rehabilitation, and/or construction of these properties.” Likewise, in some instances, the investment of state and local funds may be necessary to incentivize a property owner to repurpose a mall property in line with the community vision. Large retail centers have been important contributors to the communities in which they are located. Historically, they have represented a source of millions of dollars of annual tax revenue, employed hundreds of area residents over the years, and drawn consumer spending from beyond their immediate geographical areas. If these properties are to remain community assets, local governments must take the initiative.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Are You A Tourist? CT Towns and Cities look to summer vacation boost

ave you booked your summer vacation yet? If not, you might want to as a mixture of pent up demand and caution might have Connecticut booming with tourists this summer for a quick weekend getaway. Christine Castonguay, the Interim Director of CT Tourism came on the Municipal Voice, the podcast of the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities and WNHH FM, to discuss why more people might be saying “Yes to Connecticut.” That is the slogan of CT Tourism’s newest campaign, which Castonguay says was born out of research and observing the trends of what’s going on. “We had almost 60% say ‘yes, once I am vaccinated, I am going to be out enjoying tourism activities,’” she said, “But the interesting thing to note is people also were indicating that they wanted to stay within 100 miles of home.” In a reversal of the old adage that Connecticut is uniquely situated between New York City and Boston, the state’s location might be the selling point – “it provides ample opportunity for everybody to travel less and enjoy more.” Tourism is no small industry in Connecticut. According to her figures, the tourism industry brings in $15.5 billion to Connecticut, supporting 123,000 jobs. While it took a hit in 2020, Castonguay praised the industry leaders for being creative and innovative in the way that they were able to provide services and leisure opportunities. Measures like outdoor dining and online art galleries allowed businesses and institutions the ability to stay connected to the public while they weathered the pandemic. “I think communicating the cleaning protocols that were in place, the social distancing, the mask wearing, the sanitation, but also a lot of the automated options, checking into your lodging facility via mobile phone or purchasing tickets online, cutting down on those touch points is what brought us here,” Castonguay said. Some of the measures that were taken during this time might be here to stay: some social distancing, hand sanitizer stations, plexiglass barriers will all be part of the social landscape in the coming months, and maybe years. In the near-term, there are programs like “Connecticut Drinks On Us,” that were coordinated between the Office of Tourism, the Governor’s Office, and the Connecticut Restaurant Association to give folks a free

drink when they show they are vaccinated. Vaccination clinics themselves are going to be a feature at local institutions – the Stafford Motor Speedway and Hartford Yard Goats offered vaccination clinics for guests. “We’re starting to see some of those Fairs return, we’re starting to see outdoor music festivals, and also some indoor theater coming back online,” she said, “And that really feels so good as a Connecticut resident.” For those that want to head outdoors, Castonguay mentioned the ParkConneCT program which offers fare free shuttle service to state parks, and Weekend Wheels which is free bus service on Saturdays and Sundays. Both programs run through Labor Day. “We need to support our local restaurants, to go to Pomfret or small towns and walk the Main Street and the Town Green, shop at the local boutiques, go to the local coffee shop, go to those local attractions and really continue to support the economic recovery here in Connecticut,” she said. “That is really, at the end of the day, what we’re all trying to do.” INNOVATIVE IDEAS 2022 | 19

EDUCATION The Education section of CT&C is sponsored by www.gatewayct.edu www.housatonic.edu www.norwalk.edu

First Connecticut, Then The World

Shelton’s robotics team once again makes national competition

or many competitive high school teams, the ultimate goal is to win State. Truly elite teams get to compete in national championships, and then there’s the Shelton High robotics team that was able to compete in the 2022 FIRST Robotics Competition World Championship. After two years away due the pandemic, the Shelton team (which CT&C has covered previously for their world class efforts) has gotten back into the swing of things with their robot that has been nicknamed “Hawkeye.” The reference to the Marvel character that carries a bow and arrow who never misses a shot. That’s because this year’s FIRST competition involved shooting balls into a goal that was suspended 8ft in the air, before it climbed on a monkey bars like course. Doing this is as a human is probably difficult enough, but to devise, create, and build a machine that can accomplish that in just a few weeks. And then for that machine to be one of the best in the country. Building robots is not cheap and the Shelton team, also known as the Gaelhawks, rely on sponsors and mentors to make the whole thing work. With nearly 20 sponsors, including major companies like Sikorsky, Raytheon Technologies, OEM controls and Hubbell. One of the most important sponsors of the team is the City of Shelton itself. According to info in the Shelton Herald, the city made it’s largest donation to date to the Gaelhawks in the amount of $10,000.

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Mayor Mark Lauretti, who traveled with the team to cheer them on in Houston where the world championship took place, said in the same article that he thinks it’s important for the city to do its part. Many businesses look to the local schools, public and private, to see if they are creating a highly educated and capable workforce for the future. So it is crucial that towns and cities around the state support STEM programs like robotics teams.

While unfortunately they didn’t take the top spot, they were ranked as the 30th best team out of 3225 teams in the world, putting them in the top one percent of all teams. Nearly 25 years after the town first robotics competition, the Gaelhawks are consistently champions. Members of the High School team actively recruit and mentor younger students in challenges. They aren’t just building robots, but an innovative future for all of us.

EDUCATION Options for Health Career Training Certificate programs help workforce get ahead

any people see value in entering the healthcare field due to the large number of job openings or the rewarding nature of the work. For those considering the field, there are a variety of options available not requiring a two or fouryear degree. Gateway Community College’s downtown New Haven campus offers numerous certificate programs through the office of Workforce Development & Continuing Education. Current certificate offerings at Gateway include Certified Nurse Aide (C.N.A.) and Advanced Certified Nurse Aide, Central Sterile Supply, Community Health Worker, Medical Office Assistant, Patient Care Technician, and Pharmacy Technician. Since fall 2020, 50 students have completed Gateway’s C.N.A. program. The program attracts a diverse mix of students; some are completing their C.N.A. training on their way to becoming a registered nurse, others are pivoting into healthcare later in their careers. Students can complete the C.N.A. coursework in just six weeks, which includes 30 hours of clinical experience at a local nursing home facility. Most recently, students had the opportunity to train at Connecticut Hospice in Branford and Whitney Center in Hamden. The blended format includes an online component, making the C.N.A. certificate program accessible even to students who have experienced barriers preventing them from considering the training in the past. The shift to a blended format became necessary at the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic. For students, the change is welcome, allowing them to complete the first portion entirely online. Students move into a classroom equipped with mannequins to practice on and get hands-on experience, then to their

Ct Hospice is a clinical site for Gateway Community College’s Certified Nurse Aide Training program.

clinical site. Students complete the program ready to fill job openings at a time when medical facilities have a tremendous need. Gateway’s Community Health Worker Certificate can be completed in 21-weeks, which includes a six-week internship. Students learn non-clinical health assessment, advising, service coordination planning, and client-centered counseling. Positions in the field are particularly well-suited to bi-lingual speakers. Whether a recent high school graduate or someone who wants to make a mid-career shift to healthcare, Gateway works with students who might not otherwise be able to afford training. The SNAP Education & Training (SNAP E&T) program is open to students receiving SNAP benefits and offers free training to those deemed eligible. An added benefit of the program is the case management and support services provided. Many students facing unemployment and underemployment can

also qualify for training dollars available through the American Job Center (AJC). The office of Workforce Development & Continuing Education regularly refers students expressing interest in healthcare programs and unaware of the training opportunities open to them. Outside the SNAP E&T program and the partnership with AJC, Gateway looks for alternative paths to help students. To that end, Erika Lynch, director of Workforce Development & Continuing Education, is managing the CT Statewide Healthcare Industry Pathway (CT SHIP), a grant that benefits several of the healthcare programs. The grant project period runs through January 31, 2025 and is expected to train students in over nine healthcare programs. For information about healthcare certificates offered through the Department of Workforce Development & Continuing Education, please call (203) 285-2300 or email gw-thegreatcenter@gatewayct.edu. INNOVATIVE IDEAS 2022 | 21

EDUCATION Eating Healthy Crucial For Children New Britain Roots teaches importance of starting young

pples, broccoli, and cauliflower are just as important as the A, B, Cs when it comes to growing children. At New Britain Roots, students learn the benefits of not only a healthy diet with locally sourced food, but the power of growing your own garden. New Britain Roots has their – well – roots down in many areas that impact the local community. Some include farmers markets that bring together local vendors, they create food maps on resources around the city, but most importantly, they have a hand in educating children about the importance of good food. With the elementary and middle schools and the New Britain Parks and Recreation, they offer “garden-based education […] allowing youth to experience food in new ways and discover the impacts of a healthy lifestyle.” Children in these clubs spend time in gardens and greenhouses where they

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learn sustainable practices and the time-honored methods of growing your own food. For at-risk students they offer after school programs where they can take the food that is grown through the sustainable agriculture and learn how to process it into something tasty and nutritional. Through these and the other programs that are offered, students can learn the value of food through examining exactly what it is that they eat. Something that has become lost over time as society has relied more and more on processed foods. Noted journalist Michael Pollan who writes frequently about the importance of food offers the rule “If it’s a plant, eat it, if it was made in a plant, don’t.” “Pollan,” on his website, “points out that populations that eat like modern-day Americans — lots of highly processed foods and meat, lots of

added fat and sugar, lots of refined grains — suffer high rates of obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer. But populations that eat more traditional diets don’t. Our great-grandmas knew what they were doing.” This is extremely important information as children have recently seen an uptick in the rates of obesity. Largely due to the pandemic, this has drawn attention from state and national health experts who express caution about the negative effects on health issues and mental issues like self-esteem. Learning the value of good food is clearly just as important as calculus or chemistry – and to be fair, you might not need to use advanced equations, but you do have to eat every day. With New Britain Roots, students can get outside and get their hands dirty – and truly reap the fruits of their labor.

EDUCATION Black Future Month

Bloomfield Library discusses Afrofuturism and other topics

ith roots going back to the 1920s, Black History Month is historical itself. Officially recognized during the United States Bicentennial in 1976, it has been a jumping off point for many to celebrate the successes and achievements of Black Americans. Today, Bloomfield Public Library is using the month as a jumping off point to ask about the future.

The concept of Black Future Month is expanding in recent years as many of the documents that were once futuristic are coming to pass. For instance, Parable of the Sower was set in the futuristic year of 2024.

On February 1, the library kicked off the month with a program called “Black to the Future: Afrofuturism as a Creative Force” with the guiding principle: “How do we acknowledge our history while paving the way for an informed and hopeful vision for the future, which may be difficult?”

This is a noted departure from Black History Month’s origins. Recognizing history and building upon it for a better future is a strong message, one that echoes the sentiments of the Black Lives Matters protests of 2020.

A Mark Dery essay also titled “Black to the Future,” sought to look at the ways Black Americans envision the future through literature, movies, and music by individuals such as Octavia Butler, the hip-hop group Outkast, and movies like Black Panther. While mainly existing in the realm of science fiction under the name of Afrofuturism, many of these artists use their creative powers to envision not a dystopian future, but a better one.

Even recently, artists like Ye (formerly known as Kanye West) have called upon February to invest in the work, especially creative work of Black Americans.

In Bloomfield, the library is acknowledging both the past and the future. Reading important documents and learning from the past is as crucial as ever, for all Americans. Talking about science fiction and superhero movies are important parts of our shared American culture. To honor the work of the Afrofuturists that the Bloomfield Public Library are highlighting, we should all be working towards making that better future less science fiction and more a reality.

Under the banner of Black Future Month, Bloomfield also held programs ranging from “Lessons from Apartheid: How Americans Can Join Across Racial Differences” to “Social Justice Book Club: Parable of the Sower (graphic novel) by Octavia Butler” in order to discuss the ongoing struggle for freedom and equality in this country.

In this graphic-novel adaptation of Octavia E. Butler’s Parable of the Sower by Damian Duffy and John Jennings, the author portrays a searing vision of America’s future.

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EDUCATION Me Gusta Aprender!

Bridgeport program designed to help bilingual learners succeed

ne thing that jumped out when looking at the 2020 Census was how diverse Connecticut was getting, which was reflected in many of the headlines from news outlets around the state. One of the fastest growing segments was that of the Hispanic / Latino community, many of whom are bilingual. In Bridgeport, they recognized the need for additional tools to help teach children in these bilingual homes. The program, Footsteps2Brilliance, aims to level the playing field in early childhood reading. It is a mobile platform that can be accessed either online or offline on a multitude of devices like phones, tablets, or computers. Children who are just learning to read are able to immerse themselves in the writing through reading the material, playing a game that will help them understand and, most crucially, allow them to develop language skills in both English and Spanish. One example shows students who can read if they like a book called La Arana Pequenita, and toggling it to English, they can engage with the Itsy-Bitsy Spider. According to figures cited in a CT Post article, upwards of 20% of students in Bridgeport are English learners. While in Middletown that rate is closer to four percent, and de-

spite having lower rates of English learning students, literacy skills increased by 175%. That is due in part to the way parent engagement is built into the app. Footsteps says that by including engaging materials for caregivers and responsive information, that time spent learning with caregivers can be increased by up to 300%. One example is something they call “Family Friday” that emphasizes both to the child and caregivers that reading can be a fun and collaborative activity. That extra time translates to increased learning. The CT Post article also highlights why getting children to learn before third grade is critical. An American Educational Research Association study had shown that “a student who can’t read on grade level by third grade is four times less likely to graduate by age 19 than a child who does read proficiently by that time.” Other factors such as poverty increase the chances that a student will not graduate high school on time. While Connecticut’s graduation rate has improved over the last twenty years, with nearly 90% of students graduating high school, there’s always room for improvement and growth. This is especially true now that the Census data has shown that Connecticut has a growing population of students who are likely to be bilingual. Instead of leaving them in the lurch to learn one language at home and another language in school, Bridgeport, through the Footsteps2Brilliance app is promoting literacy not just in one language but in two. Giving children the right start on the path to a fully-fledged education in our state.

LA ARAÑA PEQUEÑITA SUBIÓ, SUBIÓ, SUBIÓ VINO LA LLUVIA Y SE LA LLEVÓ

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EDUCATION Blue Ribbon School

Groton’s Mary Morrisson goes out with highest honors

chooling has been difficult lately – which is to say more difficult than it usually is. Keeping kids engaged and learning is no easy task, but one that was all the more difficult through COVID. That’s what makes this year’s National Blue Ribbon schools much more special, especially for the Mary Morrisson Elementary School in Groton. The school, which actually closed at the end of 2020, received the Blue Ribbon Designation for “Tapping into the power of collaboration and approaching teaching and learning with a growth mindset are the key essentials that they used to close achievement gaps and ensure our commitment to continuous improvement.” Closing gaps in education has been a key facet of concentration for teachers and administrators. We talked a lot about the digital divide, but that is just one part of the achievement gap which measures consistent disparities between

students based on race, ethnicity, gender, and socioeconomic factors. At our current rate, this gap will be closed by 2266 according to figures cited in a CTMirror article. Those at Mary Morrisson aimed to meet children where they are rather than asking them to meet expectations that might be difficult for them. By taking small steps to start, students can continue to make leaps and bounds later in life. In their submission they say “We work as a team to provide the necessary support and scaffolding to make sure all students learn. You could look in any classroom and truly not know which students have IEPs or which students receive reading or math support. We have blended the Tiers so that all students, regardless of ability, are supported and achieve.” This year, the award was handed out by Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona, a person familiar with Connecticut public schools. Three

other schools in Connecticut received a Blue Ribbon this year: Andrew Avenue Elementary School in Naugatuck, Northwestern Regional High School in Winsted, and Frisbie Elementary School in Wolcott. The Department of Education gives this description about the program: “An important part of the U.S. Department of Education, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program recognizes outstanding public and non-public schools. In identifying several hundred outstanding schools annually, the program celebrates school excellence, turn around stories, and closing subgroup achievement gaps. The Award is both a high aspiration and a potent resource of practitioner knowledge.” While the Mary Morrisson Elementary School has closed, most of the staff have moved to the Thames River Magnet School to continue this important work.

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EDUCATION Asking The Right Questions

ER9 BOE DEI Survey to create a baseline to work off of

n many other areas of our daily life diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, often initialized as DEI, have been front and center. But in our schools, the day-to-day difficulties of learning during a pandemic were on the forefront. The Easton-Redding-Region 9 Boards of Education sought to change that by asking how students and staff felt in a series of surveys on the topic. The survey was created by the ER9 Joint Boards of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Task Force, which itself is a new addition to the Boards of Education. Adopted in July of 2020, they were charged with advising in “respect to the operation and financing of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Initiatives” in areas relating to hiring, discipline, enrollment, programming, curriculum and more. They are made up of two members from each board, the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, as well as non-voting members from the student population, two each from the community, and a certified staff member. Working on the survey, they sought to improve the DEI work at the Helen Keller Middle School, John Read Middle School, and Joel Barlow Middle School. But even before the work can be done, the DEI Task Force said that this survey was necessary to understand where the Boards of Education stood. Redding Board of Education Chairperson Christopher Parkin was quoted in an Easton Courier article on the importance of the survey: “How can we be serious in our efforts to ensure that we reach every student or respect one another … unless we can establish a basic baseline? Who is being left out of our caring community? Who doesn’t feel supported? Who is scared to ask for help? These are

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not radical questions.” There are four surveys being sent out, one to high school students, one to middle school students, as well as parent/guardian and staff surveys. Parents must opt-in to receive the survey for their children to fill out. The focus here is on the experiences of the children. Example questions ask if students feel safe, respected, and included at school, and whether they’ve experienced bullying. Parents/Guardians and Staff are asked if they’ve seen or heard of children experiencing these issues. Back in March, Superintendent Dr.

Rydell Harrison wrote in an Op-Ed to the Courier, “Focusing on diversity, equity and inclusion is not a political act, and it does not have to be controversial. Educational equity is ensuring that each child receives what they need to develop to their full academic and social potential and taking the necessary steps to identifying and eliminating barriers that would hinder their progress.” With this survey, the ER9 DEI task force is setting that “baseline” of just where they are in regard to their student’s well-being, what areas might need improvement, and where they are succeeding. It might be self-evident, but you can’t know if you don’t ask.

EDUCATION

A Summer Reset

ARP funds help bridge the gap in New Haven

ith the American Rescue Plan funds came a great responsibility. Adhering to the strict guidelines and having it be useful to your community narrowed down the qualified uses of these funds, but New Haven has come up with a solution that really makes sense: A Summer Reset for children. It’s clear that distance learning saved the 2020-2021 school year to some extent, but the figures on school attendance, gaps in learning, and the loss of quality of experience has left something to be desired. In the State as a whole, absenteeism increased from 12% to 20% over the past year, and factors like the digital divide meant that some school children did not have the quality of education that they otherwise could have. Let alone the fact that school is often where you see your friends and mentors – socializing is an important part of growing up. And while many recognized the importance of getting back to in-person schooling, thrusting children back into this situation isn’t necessarily the best idea either. For New Haven’s part, that is where the Summer Reset comes in. It is a suite of programs intended to enhance summer activities for children with a goal of bridging the gap from remote learning to in-person learning. The Summer Reset was a four-pronged approach across Youth Engagement, Clean and Safe Program,

Arts and Culture, and Safe Summer. Each of these headings had key areas for development or investment, with $6.3 million allocated for the entire package. The city planned to use some of those funds to extend summer camps for an additional two weeks, increasing classes for outdoor adventures, youth summer concerts and more. Of course, some of the funds are going to improvements to parks where they are most needed. Including resurfacing and repairing playgrounds, adding murals and removing graffiti. Quoted in a New Haven Independent article, Mayor Justin Elicker said “It’s critical that our young people have opportunities for their social and emotional development. That interaction with their peers can help develop their social skills, but most importantly, help them have fun this summer.” While the American Rescue Plan funds are temporary, some of the thinking behind these plans might remain. There is reason to believe that if children benefit from longer camps, outdoor classes, and entertainment this year, that might also be true every year. For now, it is a worthwhile project to think about just what can help our children bridge the gap that was created by COVID. INNOVATIVE IDEAS 2022 | 27

ENERGY Consistency Is Key

Branford gets $25k grant for future projects to build on success

onsistency is key. One of the easiest ways to make sure your plans are successful is to be consistent and keep working at them. Recently, Branford won a $25k grant because their Clean Energy Committee has set clear goals for their town and worked towards them. First created in 2019, the Branford Clean Energy Committee has helped foster a community of individuals and businesses with clean energy knowledge, that will help the state reach its greenhouse gas emission targets in the coming decades. The grant, which was handed out by Energize CT and sponsored by Eversource and Southern Connecticut Gas, will go to helping small businesses with energy needs as well as municipal buildings. Energize CT said that their “goal in working together is to better familiarize residents and businesses on energy efficiency programs and offers in support of efforts by the Sponsors for a broader reach of energy efficiency engagement and program participation across the state through the Partnership.” Per their application form, community groups, nonprofit organizations, and municipalities were able to apply to this grant initiative, and municipalities were encouraged to partner with a community-based

organization. For Branford, that was the town’s Clean Energy Commission. That commission is a big reason why they were able to successfully make that pitch. Readers of CT&C would recognize that they are often profiled in the Innovative Ideas of this magazine specifically for their work towards energy savings, alternative sources, and other programs that help their citizens and businesses save money. One such program was the HeatSmart residential program. Branford First Selectman James Cosgrove spoke about this specific program in a Patch article, stating that it promoted clean energy while saving homeowners money by investing in clean, efficient heat pump energy systems. Some of this grant money will go towards existing building solutions, new building solutions, equipment rebates and more. Businesses that are interested can find the information on the website Branfordcleanenergy.org. The clear takeaway here is that to reach any of these goals, you have to be consistent. Over the last three years, the Branford Clean Energy Committee has shown that good work will lead to more good work in their town. At least $25,000 worth of it.

Branford aims to use 100% renewable energy by 2040 The path to 100% renewable energy comprises two complementary actions: ● Overall energy consumption must be decreased dramatically by a combination of conservation, energy efficiency and electrification of heating, cooling and transportation. ● Electricity consumed in town must come from clean, renewable sources. These complementary actions are visible in the declining overall consumption and increasing renewables in the chart below.

The chart below is another way of visualizing Branford’s path to 100% renewable energy. The blue bars on the left side of this graph represent the town’s current energy usage, expressed in a common unit: gigawatt‐hours. The red bars represent the potential reduction in energy usage through efficiency and electrification, resulting in a vastly reduced energy load. The green bars represent the sources of local and regional renewable energy to meet this need. Current CurrentLoad Load‐ ‐Future FutureLoad Load‐‐ Renewable Renewable Load 1,200 1,200

424 424

1,113 1,113 ‐47 ‐47

1,000 1,000 800 800

102 102

‐328 ‐328

355 355

600 600

‐254 ‐254

400 400 200 200

Electricity Electricity

The key elements of this energy plan are: 1. Reduce our energy usage by improving the efficiency and performance of our buildings, both public and private. 2. Transition to high efficiency heating and cooling technology. 3. Promote the responsible development of renewable energy in town, including residential solar, community shared solar, commercial solar, carport and other types of renewable energy. For example, the CT Green Bank offers municipalities and public institutions a solar power purchase agreement (PPA) with no money down. 4. Pursue regional energy solutions partnerships through SustainableCT and advocate for a cleaner grid. 5. Promote public transportation and the transition to electric vehicles through various measures, including planning for sufficient charging infrastructure. 6. In collaboration with Eversource, modernize the local electric grid to enable higher levels of distributed renewable energy and storage.

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‐173 ‐200

233 233

0 0

484 484

Gas Gas

Oil Oil

Transport Transport

Total Total

Electricity Electricity

Heat Heat

311 284

Transport Local Transport Local New Load Regional New Load Regional

Energy Reduction Targets As seen in these two graphs, Branford aims to reduce energy consumption by over half in roughly twenty years. Because these reductions will be accomplished in part through “fuel switching” (e.g., from gasoline to electric vehicles), we do not set reduction targets for each fuel type. In fact, we expect electricity usage to more than double over this period. Branford’s 2040 energy target can be achieved through modest annual reductions of 2.3% per year after 2018. Based on our initial analysis, we are selecting a 3% annual reduction target for all town sectors: residents, businesses and municipality. Over a five-year period, the targeted reduction is therefore 15%. As our analysis of the town’s energy usage develops, we may differentiate this target by sector and year. Together with the Dept. of General Government Buildings and the Branford Schools, the Clean Energy Committee will monitor town energy usage, track renewable energy production and update this analysis annually using Energy Star Portfolio Manager.

ENERGY

Energy Plan West Hartford Clean Energy Commission | 2020

Knowledge Can Lead To Savings

DRAFT – Feb 5, 2021

West Hartford holds webinar for business owners on energy efficiency

ith record inflation, prices are going up for everyone. And unfortunately, this includes energy costs. The Town of West Hartford held a webinar for local businesses to help them focus on energy efficiency and keep the cost of running a business down. Held on May 5, the session was presented in collaboration with the town’s Economic Development Division, the West Hartford Clean Energy Commission, and the West Hartford Chamber of Commerce. The idea was brought to the West Hartford Clean Energy Commission by commission member and local business owner, Steve Sack of Sack Energy according to an article in the West Hartford News. Sack noted that a presentation by Environment Systems Corporation (ESC), another West Hartford based business, made “good business sense,” realizing that other business-owners could benefit from this information. Quoted in the article is Kristen Gorski, Economic Development coordinator for the town, who said: “There are so many great opportunities out there to support local business with energy efficiency that can help offset or even reduce energy costs. “We find that energy efficiency is often not explored or implemented because business owners are either not aware of this information or the task appears too daunting.” Often lost in the mix is that spending money up-front

can lead to long term savings over the life of a product. An EV car is a prime example of this counter-intuitive thinking. Often an EV is more expensive to own upfront, but over the life of the car, the savings on gas and other expenditures can be in the thousands of dollars – with improvements happening each day. There are many similar ways that business owners can implement these changes for overall energy efficiency. In addition to ESC, there were also presentations by Eversource and the CT Green Bank. All three aimed to educate and inform about modern solutions to rising energy costs through programs and incentives. The secondary benefits after saving money for businesses in the here and now, is that over time, that saved energy will hopefully help us move into a greener economy. Not just in dollars, but in renewables and efficiency. West Hartford, alongside their partners, are helping businesses do both. INNOVATIVE IDEAS 2022 | 29

ENERGY

Newtown Renews Renewable Energy Push Municipalities around state would benefit from getting to 100%

ust a few years ago, it might not have seemed doable to make the switch to solar. The cost of the panels and the installation would be high. But Newtown is leading the way on their solar journey, with the possibility of hitting over 90% in 2022. To start, some facts. It would take approximately 21,000 square miles of solar panels to power the entire United States. Using those figures, Connecticut would need somewhere in the range of just 31 square miles, plus a little bit extra for our density. So where do you find that extra space? Mostly here and there. Newtown will be able to reach the 95% threshold for their buildings through arrays that were placed both in town, on buildings, as well as purchasing solar energy from larger systems across the state. Because electricity is so expensive in the state of Connecticut, we were the second state in the Union to reach what is known as grid parity. According to the folks at the Climate Reality Project, that is “when an alternative form of energy generates power at a levelized cost of electricity that’s equal to or less than the price of buying power from the electric grid”

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Naturally, the first state to reach grid parity was Hawaii, which is isolated by thousands of miles of ocean. Connecticut doesn’t have that excuse. Getting back to the 21,000 square miles, while that might seem like a lot to power the entire United States, it’s actually a fairly small percentage of land. As a percentage of the entire land area, that’s around .5%. It is also half of the land that is leased or owned by the entire oil and gas industry. But according to some figures, individuals like Elon Musk who has made a name for himself in the electric industry by purchasing the companies Tesla and SolarCIty, the actual amount of space it will take is closer to 10,000 square miles, with one-square mile of battery storage. And with the grid parity, it’s almost always easier and cheaper to install solar panels or other forms of renewable energy. In Newtown, through smart efficiency programs, they are saving over $100,000 a year in one school alone. In 2022, it’s not so much a question of should you do renewable energy projects, it’s how and when. There are clear benefits to making the switch, and every town and city should be asking how much money would I save if I adopted these measures?

ENERGY

Animal Shelter Saves On Energy

Dan Cosgrove Animal Shelter pairs with Sustainable CT to go net-zero

he Dan Cosgrove Animal Shelter in Branford wants to make history. Just as they are charged with keeping pets safe and happy until they find their forever homes, they want to keep the environment safe and happy by becoming the first net-zero animal shelter in the country, and they’re going to do so with a little help from Sustainable CT.

able CT Community Match Fund was the way to go.

Throughout the pandemic, the team at the shelter has been working diligently to plan for their new building. As they continue to grow in their ability to serve Branford and North Branford, the new building will expand their capabilities to “meet the needs of our furry and feathered friends,” as they put it.

In fact, the shelter was able to raise $15,000 for a total of $30,000 after the matching funds were added. This money will go to LED Exterior and Interior Lighting, a Dual EV Charging Station, and the costs to install two Solar Thermal Hot Water 120-gallon systems. These systems were donated to the shelter by the Connecticut Green Bank.

Though plans were already in place to build, some amenities that would help make the building net-zero were not originally included in the costs. They wanted to add amenities towards that goal and decided the Sustain-

Towns and cities across the state have already utilized the match fund, which matches funds raised by the community 1:1 up to $25,000. As long as the projects fit the criteria laid out in the Sustainable CT action points, this is an easy way for your community to invest in green infrastructure.

It took all of 12 days – not even two weeks – for the shelter to reach their goal, and donors ranged from $10 to $5000. Every donation, big and small, all added up to one successful campaign. The Dan Cosgrove Animal Shelter has an amazing track record for caring for our non-human friends – in a press release for this project they list out all the animals that they’ve cared for, saying: “Hundreds of displaced animals come through the shelter’s doors each year. In addition to dogs and cats, Branford’s animal shelter serves as the temporary home for less common animals, too, including guinea pigs, chinchillas, rabbits, and even the occasional owl and deer.” By going green in their building, the shelter is giving back to the environment and doing their part to protect the homes of our indigenous creatures, and ensuring that there will be outdoor places where we can hang out with our pet friends after giving them forever homes! INNOVATIVE IDEAS 2022 | 31

ENERGY Going Green, Doing Good

North Haven program donates food for green investment

oing green helps everyone. Could it get any better than saving money and doing your part to help in the fight against climate change? In North Haven, the Clean Energy Task Force said yes it can. As part of their work towards minimizing greenhouse gases, two vendors donated $25 for each completed Home Energy Solutions (HES) campaign, raising a total of $6075 for the North Haven Congregational Church Food Pantry. Each HES campaign sends out officials from energy companies to go out to homes in the designated area to check them for “energy inefficiencies like drafts and air leaks” while also providing things like LED light bulbs and water saving aerators in some cases. They also discuss with homeowners whether or not there is some po-

tential savings in replacing things like appliances, heating and cooling equipment, or even replacing insulation to lower the transference of heat from indoors to outdoors. In some cases, there are improvements that will cost some money upfront that will save homeowners money in the long run.

Heat Pumps, Central Air Conditioning Systems, and double pane windows.

Generally, residents can request inspections and assessments like these for about $1000, but through the program, they were able to have them completed for $50. The original price might have put it just out of reach for most households, but now almost 250 North Haven residents are able to save on their heating and energy bills.

One hates to sound like a broken record, but in this case small actions can add up to larger accomplishments. And North Haven has done its part in the work by seeking our electricity from renewable sources in its public facilities.

And buying those new appliances certainly won’t be cheap either, but the good news is that through Energize CT, there are rebates for all sorts of products like Air Source

The North Haven Clean Energy Task Force is no stranger to this kind of work. This is the third HES campaign that they’ve worked on, but the task force goes all the way back to 2007.

And of course, the donations to the North Haven Congregational Church Food Pantry are just one more way that this program is doing good for the people of North Haven. As we enter holiday season in 2021, this can be a wonderful gift to a family in need.

On Oct. 6th, Members of the North Haven Clean Energy Task Force, The Town of North Haven, New England Conservation Services and CMC Energy Services presented a $6,075 donation to the North Haven Congregational Church’s Food Pantry.

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ENERGY HeatSmart Guilford

The energy is in the soil, so keep your heat pumps in the ground

ur partners in SustainableCT have been moving force behind so many great initiatives in the state of Connecticut. Recently, the Town of Guilford announced a new program called HeatSmart Guilford aimed at building upon their already stellar Silver Certification as part of SustainableCT. From the town, Heatsmart Guilford is a volunteer education and outreach program designed to help residents take advantage of heat pump technology. Using geothermal, air-source, and mini-split heat pumps, residents can both heat and cool their homes at lower costs and with greater environmental benefits than conventional fossil-fuel based methods. The two major kinds of heat pumps according to Heat Smart are the Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHPs) and Ground Source Heat Pumps (GSHPs) more commonly known as Geothermal heat. The former obtains the heating and cooling from outside air by a complex exchange of heat (either adding or subtracting). Geothermal works in a similar manner, but through tubes buried in the soil or in wells. This latter method is more expensive, but is effective in larger temperature spectrums. Heatsmart connects homeowners with pre-selected Home Energy Solutions (HES) contractors and specialists that are working directly with the town – although the option remains open for residents to seek outside input. The team at HeatSmart came out to the Guilford PD National Night Out, held on July 27 of this year on the Guilford Town Green to speak directly to consumers about the products and the extensive State incentives, some of which could be a bear to navigate. A program similar to this saw over

400 Branford households take advantage of this cost-effective green energy solution.

website, they are the largest all-volunteer organization in the state engaged with these issues.

This program is being offered through a partnership with People’s Action for Clean Energy (PACE) as well as the Guilford Board of Selectman and the Sustainable Guilford Task Force, which is in charge of their SustainableCT efforts.

In the town’s press release, First Selectman Matt Hoey said “This program is highly beneficial, since clean energy technologies can deliver real savings to individuals, and as important, deliver environmental benefits to us all. This program also enables Guilford residents to continue their leadership in Connecticut sustainability. I hope many of our citizens will take advantage of all the program has to offer.”

PACE is an environmental organization that has for 40 years aimed to wean houses off of wasteful resources and onto 100% renewable energy sources like electric and heat pumps. According to their

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ENERGY A Greener, Cleaner Hamden

Microgrids make up a large part of energy use in future

limate Change has forced governments and people around the world to learn about new technologies, better systems, and more efficient tools to help lower the burden we are placing on the earth. Hamden’s Energy Use and Climate Change Commission (EUCC) has come up with a guide that includes a little bit of everything. It’s clear that municipal governments in Connecticut are already doing their part to create a greener, cleaner future, but there’s always more to do. For their part, Hamden is looking to decrease energy use in their town owned buildings by 50% in the next twenty years, achieving complete renewable energy by 2050. Strategies in the proposal include adopting guidelines for municipal buildings and schools, upgrading existing high-pressure sodium streetlights with LED Lamps and heads, and encouraging people-powered transportation such as bikes and walkways. One of the more unique portions of their program is the building of microgrids over the next decade. “Hamden, like all other communities throughout CT must rely on the electric grid to provide electricity to homes, businesses, and town facilities. Our current grid performs exceptionally well, but was built and designed before the advent of solar panels, allowing individual houses and businesses to generate their own electricity, and batteries, allowing them to store it.” “A key building block of our future grid will be microgrids, consisting of smaller subsets of power sources, users, wires, and controls.”

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One of the benefits of such an arrangement is that microgrids are capable of staying online during power outages that affect the greater grid. In the initial thinking, linking solar arrays, batteries, fuel cells, and backup generators, the town can provide full operating power for the high school, ice rink, retail shopping centers, restaurants, gas stations, banks, emergency care facilities, and much more. The plan will offer the town greater resiliency, and even some economic benefits if they sell back energy to the larger energy providers.

Much of the plan was inspired by the pathway laid out by Sustainable CT, and according to their document, especially the “three-legged stool” approach to sustainability: Focus on people, nature, and economy. In order to be innovative, forward-thinking, to have the kind of success that you need to reach lofty goals like 100% clean energy in 30 years, you need to have a sturdy base to work off of, but also the buy-in of all parties. The Hamden EUCC has come up with a plan that doesn’t work just for the environment, but the town, its people and business, increasing the odds of success in achieving their goals.

ENVIRONMENT

Don’t Throw That Out!

Saving trash for the compost could save your town money

ost people would look at you kind of funny if you told them that you were thinking about keeping some of your trash every week. But, in a way, that’s what we are doing when we keep compostables out of the waste stream. New Canaan is the latest municipality to look into diverting food scraps through the Sustainable CT Community Match Fund.

Composting essentially solves both of those problems at the same time. Not only does taking out the food scraps from the waste stream lower the amount of waste that ends up in incinerators or landfills, lower the amount of methane that is created when it is left in anaerobic environments, but it produces good quality compost to be reused.

As noted in the fundraising page, currently food scraps goes right into the municipal waste stream and the problems associated with that are twofold.

The idea is clearly worth exploring, and that’s where the Sustainable CT Community Match Fund came into play. Raising over $4000 from the community, the town of New Canaan received $8000 total, $7600 of which was used to pay the haulers, while $400 went to signage for the transfer station.

One, Food that you throw out in the trash ends up with Styrofoam and plastic bits in landfills. These are “anaerobic environments,” which increases the methane gas in the air as the food breaks down over time. Despite being a natural byproduct, these situations exacerbate the production rather than through the natural composting of foods. Second, the hauling of these foods has to be paid for by the tax payers. As with most municipalities that offer trash hauling, New Canaan pays a company to pick up residential trash each week an bring it to the transfer station who bring it to landfills or incinerators. Neither of these options are great, so the ideal situation would be to reduce the amount of waste.

In the initial phases of the program 220 pounds were collected, but just two months later and over 800 pounds were collected. The only drawback is that you do have to keep some of your trash. They recommend simple covered buckets to collect the scraps while you wait to bring it to the transfer station. And while in years past it might have been a bit strange to keep some of your trash, more and more people are saving their food scraps to begin composting. It’s something the community agrees upon. INNOVATIVE IDEAS 2022 | 35

ENVIRONMENT Feed The Community

How public gardens could add to your town or city

he concept of a community garden is as old as time. Agriculture itself was started by a group of people who decided they didn’t want to be hunter-gatherers anymore, and planted food to feed their community. In the thousands of years since, strikingly little has changed about growing your own food – you put a seed in the ground and through careful tending, food comes up. A small miracle. Here’s how three municipalities handle community gardens:

Bristol “The gardens are available to Bristol residents. Some people plant vegetables and others plant flowers. The gardens are great for people who live in apartments or condominiums and don’t have space for a garden of their own at home. Most people use the gardens for their personal use. We have some gardeners who grow vegetables for the various food pantries in the City. We are thankful to be able to offer the community gardens to the residents of Bristol as it benefits so many people.” — Patricia Tomascak, Executive Director, Department of Aging

drilled and a pump house built creating a stable water supply. We have been able to make all of these improvements buy enhancing our partnerships with local groups and business. Partners want their involvement to have a long-standing tangible mark on the community and its citizens, our Community Gardens hit all those targets.” — Joel Sekorski, Director, Services for the Elderly

West Hartford

Torrington

“The Town of West Harford is lucky to have not just one, but three distinct and beloved Community Gardens. Each of the three gardens is subdivided into 20x20ft plots and rented annually to residents for a low fee. This provides a unique opportunity for the citizens of West Hartford to grow their own fresh vegetables, fruits, and flowers. The gardens are managed as a joint project by the Department of Leisure Services and Public Works. The garden plots come with access to water and compost, and are worked by a community of like-minded gardeners. This community has grown so strong that at one of the gardens (Buena Vista), a group of gardeners joined together to form “year-round-gardening”, which is committed to notill, organic gardening. The Community Gardens have become a true source of pride for West Hartford, as residents from all walks of life come together to plant and grow.

“The Bowman Gardens have been around since the 70’s but In the past 8 years they have grown from fields of rotor tilled in ground plots to 84 raised beds as well as in ground planting. We added a 40X20 pavilion and picnic area complete with BBQ grills and picnic tables, this has become a safe outdoor gathering place for seniors during the pandemic. The pavilion was a partnership with a local trade school and future Eagle Scouts. We added a storage shed last Fall for equipment & supplies and this year we had a permanent well

West Hartford is also host to a large Plant a Row for the Hungry garden. This project, in conjunction with the Garden Writers’ Association, has been producing vegetables for the community since 1999. With most of the labor of gardening done by volunteers, school groups, and summer camps, the PAR garden has – over the years - given over 20,000 lbs of fresh, organic produce to the Town’s senior centers and local food pantries.” — Christy Page, Assistant Park Naturalist, Westmoor Park West Hartford

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ENVIRONMENT Bees?

Beacon Falls sponsors local beekeepers programs

hen towns plant pollinator pathways, they intend for bees and other assorted insects and birds to come dine on the nectar and cross-pollinate. But unfortunately, the bee population is in precipitous decline. These necessary creatures have lately found homes in colonies in backyards, not an errant nest, but placed there intentionally. If you were interested in becoming a beekeeper, Beacon Falls Parks & Recreation department has been holding programs to learn how. Held at the local Naugatuck YMCA, they sponsored a total of four programs – two this past year in September and November, with two planned for spring next year. They are free for Beacon Falls residents. The classes were being helmed by Rich and Robin Pivirotto, the owners of the Beacon Bee Company, which they founded in 2019 after several years of amateur beekeeping. But like many hobbies, they found that beekeeping was addictive –

starting out with only one hive, they grew to 20 hives in their apiary by 2020. Each hive can produce over 50 pounds of honey or more each year, with around half or a little less being excess. Some beekeepers sell the surplus, which likely funds added beekeeping gear. Back in 1918, the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station had this to say: “The outlook for honey production never was better, from the money standpoint, than at present, and the possibilities, through the suppression and control of infectious diseases are much greater in recent years […] so that beekeeping and honey production generally will be much improved.” This sweet golden syrup isn’t the only thing that bees are good for. Apples, blueberries, raspberries, pears, squash, cucumbers, as well as a variety of flowers are dependent on bees to pollinate them. But the owners would take umbrage at a word used earlier - As Rich says, “beekeeping is not a

hobby, but a full-time commitment”. There are days when their “day jobs” may be done, but they still must put in the time for their beekeeping responsibilities. Robin says, “beekeeping doesn’t come without it’s challenges, but at the end of the day, it also comes with so many rewards”. Naturally, many will be afraid of the consequences of a bee sting. But there are sure to be methods learned in these programs that will teach individuals how not to get stung, as well as being able to tell the difference between honeybees and their more nefarious cousins, the yellow jackets. Back in the day, Romans would pay their taxes in honey. Word is still out if Beacon Falls will adopt these measures. But as Robin said, there are so many rewards for keeping bees that one may very well develop a taste for honey, which some say is sweeter than wine.

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ENVIRONMENT There When You Need It

2021 CCM Convention exhibitor shares tips on storm preparedness

ou know that feeling when you walk into the grocery store and you are instantly surrounded by red and green ornaments, garland, and wrapping paper and you think to yourself, “How is it the holiday season already?” Well, hurricane season can sneak up on you in much the same way. While we are now coming out of the 2021 hurricane season and taking a collective sigh of relief that Connecticut didn’t suffer any major impacts, another hurricane season will be here again before you know it. So, as we celebrate this holiday season and ring in 2022, ensure to put planning for disaster response on your list of resolutions. No matter the season, summer or winter, destructive weather events can occur at any time. Storm preparedness and readiness is a year-round mission and paramount to the success of any recovery. AshBritt offers four tips for preparing your municipality for storm-related events in any season: 1.

First, gain an understanding of disaster debris management, through the State Disaster Debris Management Plan and review the State Guidance for Municipalities to determine your contracting options by visiting the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection Disaster Debris Management and Preparedness portal. Once you understand what is available, procure a contract that

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best suits your needs based on the information you have received from contractors.

Our second tip is to learn about post-disaster debris management. AshBritt’s online training academy provides participants with information about debris management following a federally declared disaster event.

Thirdly, as you prepare for whatever comes next, build local capacity with government staff, as well as with the local workforce through training and workshops.

Lastly, develop an education outreach marketing campaign aimed to educate residents on storm preparedness and the proper segregation of storm debris.

In 2021, AshBritt provided the NW Connecticut Region with an informative presentation on the types of services available to municipalities, showcased educational outreach campaigns, and shared information on our capability and capacity to handle multiple activations. AshBritt has more tips and services that can help you prepare for disasters in any season. We are available to provide similar presentations and customized training sessions to meet your needs, visit AshBritt.com to learn more about how we are always There When You Need Us.

ENVIRONMENT Trash collecting in the brook, leading to Housatonic River

A Resource For Sustainability New Milford plans long term rehab of Great Brook

ne of the best resources for towns and cities is SustainableCT. And one of the best resources in SustainableCT is the Community Match Fund. Recently, New Milford’s Sustainable Committee utilized this resource to help them restore Great Brook, a small tributary river located in their town. A large majority of towns and cities in Connecticut are already registered for SustainableCT, 123 out of 169, in fact, and just over half of them are certified Bronze or Silver. But only 53 towns so far have taken advantage of the Community Match Fund. Any currently participating municipality can create a project on the Patronicity platform, and SustainableCT will match it dollar-for-dollar. In New Milford, the goal was to “remove years of accumulated rubbish and invasives that crowd out native species, while strengthening the banks of Great Brook, a Housatonic River Tributary.” From their Patronicity page, they said that the banks of the brook are beginning to collapse where invasive plant species have overtaken native plants. As part of the ecosystem, these species can cause downstream – literally – effects where native birds and animals are locked out of their normal territories. The campaign started in the middle of November 2020, and was officially fully funded on January 1, 2021. This gave the Sustainable New Milford team

$15,000 for a “robust and comprehensive master restoration plan for the entire four-mile stream.” According to the project budget, around $4000 was to be spent on field assessment, $5000 towards a community-chosen long-term permitted-engineered project, with other expenses going toward short term projects and plans. Some of which included volunteer clean-ups in April, June and September. The April and June cleanups already happened with “masked volunteer residents on distanced and staggered shifts with technical expertise,” according to a letter to the editor to the New Milford Spectrum. While this will be an ongoing project to help the environment surrounding Great Brook, it’s important to salute the work and effort of the town, volunteers, and supporters through the fundraising campaign. It shows that the will to do these green projects is there, and that the community is often willing to put their green – i.e. money – to saving the environment. For more information on SustainableCT’s Community Match Fund, you can contact Abe Hilding-Salorio, the Community Outreach Manager at (860) 465-0256, or at hildingsalorioa@easternct.edu. For more information about all of SustainableCT’s efforts, visit them at SustainableCT.org INNOVATIVE IDEAS 2022 | 39

ENVIRONMENT Toss & Save

The latest in food composting comes to Middletown

erhaps it’s a sign of the times that in each issue of Connecticut Town & City there’s a new article about an innovative idea related to green initiatives. In Middletown, they’re going green by hooking up with Blue Earth Compost for a first in CT project.

the way that people think about ‘waste’.”

Piggy-backing off the fact that throwing away trash has never been more expensive and costly for towns and cities, local leaders have been looking for ways to lessen the tonnage. One such way to accomplish that is by removing waste from the stream.

The process of composting preserves some of those nutrients and brings the equation closer to net-zero.

As part of Middletown’s Feed the Earth campaign, the town has partnered with Blue Earth Compost to do just that. Like many composting programs that required a citizen or business to sign up for the service, users take their food scraps that would otherwise end up in the waste stream and brings them to a location where they would be turned into compost. The difference here is that the program is part of a municipal contract that allows the businesses to participate in this new green service. In a press release on Feed the Earth, Mayor Ben Florsheim says the program will “also educate consumers and businesses about the usefulness and ease of composting.” “This new campaign is just the latest in a larger effort to increase the role composting can play in everyday lives. As composting takes hold in hearts and minds across Connecticut, it has grown from person-by-person residential collections to municipal contracts like this new partnership.” Blue Earth Compost is a local Hartford area company. Founded in 2013, their mission is “to change 40 | INNOVATIVE IDEAS 2022

According to their site, American’s throw away approximately 40% of the food that they grow. Not only does that food get wasted, but the resources that went into growing that food as well.

According to figures in the Middletown Press, they are paying $88 a ton to dispose of waste, but $84.85 to compost. So not only would they

be saving money on all the scraps that does successfully go into the composting program, they’ll be saving the earth as well. In addition to the businesses that are piloting the way on this new initiative, Mayor Florsheim said that he’d like to see this program go citywide. “The City of Middletown hopes to be only the first of many municipalities in our region to explore municipal composting in the years ahead,” Mayor Florsheim said, “This could be the start of a new era in food cycle management.”

Mayor Ben Florsheim held a press conference to announce the program on July 13, 2021

ENVIRONMENT

Beauty And Infrastructure Meet Sustainable Meriden adds mural to bridge underpass

ustainability isn’t just solar panels and composting. Although renewables and recycling are hugely important, we need our residents to have pride in the places they are protecting. Sustainable Meriden recently took advantage of the Sustainable CT match fund to beautify an often-overlooked piece of infrastructure – the bridge underpass. In a project that saw the collaboration between the city of Meriden, Sustainable Meriden youth group, RiseUP for Arts and the Department of Transportation, the Bunker Ave bridge got a much needed makeover with a simple mural. Reminiscent of Lego bricks, the underpass will be bedecked in a combination of jeweltones and rainbow colors that are sure to brighten up the underpass. RiseUP for Arts is no stranger to these projects. On the fundraising site, they note that they have worked on over 50 mural projects throughout the state, with 25 local artists, 50 partners, and over 500 volunteers. They can be seen at their website, www.ctmurals.com Because they are professionals, this project was perfect for the community match fund. Taking steps to ensure that there’d be a good bond with primer and wall prep, important safety measure, the paint itself, and even an anti-graffiti clearcoat means that some costs would be associated with this mural. Over 60 donors included local businesses, clubs, and

individuals combined their powers to raise the $5000 needed for half the job in just over two months. The other half was provided by the Sustainable CT community match fund. This program is open to anyone in a Sustainable CT municipality. This means that youth groups, nonprofits, and more can double the impact of the funds that they raise for projects like this one. Sustainable Meriden is a student-led program that engages the community to achieve Meriden’s sustainability goals. Through the efforts of this program, environmental and social goals can be achieved while promoting a vibrant community and economic growth. The collaborative community engagement will help Meriden achieve certification through the Sustainable CT initiative and become a thriving, resilient city. Though it might seem like just a coat of paint that is going up, murals like this create more investment in local communities. A virtuous cycle where beauty begets more beauty. It’s important enough that Sustainable CT has made supporting arts and creative culture one of their action points. Establishing a poet laureate, a cultural office, or an artist-in-residence all help towns reach their goals of sustainability. It’s all part of their goal of having a greener future, one that is also red, orange, yellow, blue, indigo, and violet as well. INNOVATIVE IDEAS 2022 | 41

GOVERNANCE Project Citizen

Bridgeport Students fight for equality in their schools

n the search for equality, we often lean on established leaders in the community. Their commitment and experience help guide the general public through difficult decisions. But sometimes, our leaders come from students, like those in Bridgeport who are helping their fellow students celebrate holidays without getting behind. Part of a program called “Project Citizen,” the goal is to get students more involved in the democratic process. Each year eighth grade students in Bridgeport come together to effect policy change by tackling local issues they feel have not been addressed. From the Connecticut Post, this year they reviewed the proposals and whittled it down to focusing on the Eid holidays, which include Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. Celebrated by Muslim students, the Eid holidays would cause a large amount of absences by students

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who would then become behind in their lessons and even have a day marked absent against them.

This follows a pattern of schools becoming more inclusive of religious celebrations.

Considering the state already has day offs allotted for practitioners of other religions, there was room to make an argument that those same rights should be upheld not just for Muslim students in Bridgeport, but to prevent non-Muslim students from having to repeat a lesson due to a large number of classmates being out.

School districts around the state have added Eid al-Fitr and the Hindu and Sikh celebration of Diwali to the calendar as day-off holidays.

Research was done and presented to the board of education, including the fact that upwards of 11% of students in the Bridgeport system identified as Muslim. They also circulated a online letter which garnered more than 2000 signatures. Because Eid follows the lunar calendar, it does not fall on the same day each year. Students gave the dates for the holiday for the next 30 years, some of which will take place during summer vacation.

This is in large part because the state is diversifying as whole. Although Christmas and Good Friday are already worked into the school schedule, many communities with large Mexican or Puerto Rican populations are adopting Three Kings Day as part of their school closures. This includes Bridgeport where the Project Citizen helped students learn the civic process, getting involved, and doing the work that is required to affect change. These students presented their case and made a difference for their fellow students, as well as the general cause of equality in Connecticut.

GOVERNANCE

Shoot Me A Line

Mayor Simmons makes case for Stamford

aroline Simmons, Stamford’s new mayor, wants any businesses interested in the city to email her at mayorsoffice@stamfordct.gov.

Just four months into the job, Mayor Simmons has become the cities number one promoter. She joined the Municipal Voice to talk about what drew her to local government, what she was able to accomplish in her first 100 days, and what she has her eyes on for the future. With Class A office space, a 30% commercial vacancy rate, and only $44 a square foot, she believes that companies should be following the people who left New York City for Connecticut. Already Connecticut’s second biggest city after Bridgeport, many of the city’s projects revolve around growth in the region. “It’s really important to coordinate with our surrounding towns, so we’re looking at everything from making improvements on Metro North to making our city more bike and walk friendly,” she said, noting the possibility of a walk/bike path throughout Fairfield County. But there are pieces that need to be put in place to sustain that growth. For one, the city is short a considerable amount of affordable renting units – a problem that has plagued many cities in Connecticut – as well as affordable senior housing. Like so many other cities, they are looking to take advantage of their public transit options by bringing in transit-oriented development, which is increasingly popular with individuals just starting out in their careers. But Stamford is also looking at programs to help transition individuals into home ownership. But those just starting out in their careers are crucial

to Stamford’s future. “I think it’s important that we have young people at the table because millennials now make the largest voting bloc,” the mayor said, who is part of that generation. She also spoke to Stamford’s diversity as a selling point, and how important that was to governance. But she wants people to get involved in local politics like she has – for those that don’t know, Mayor Simmons started in the federal government and worked her way to state representative, eventually landing as mayor. “When we’re in a representative democracy, our governments are supposed to look like the people they serve,” she said, stating that she started with her cabinet and mayor’s office to make sure they were properly reflective of Stamford’s culture. To that end, she placed a call for anyone interested in serving on a board or commission to email her at her mayor’s office email. There’s much to be optimistic about Stamford – with so much growth and potential, one gets the idea that there’s almost too much to concentrate on. Fortunately, Mayor Simmons realizes that the position can directly touch people’s lives. “And the key is to really seize this moment and making sure that we’re building more equitable, inclusive, vibrant city for everyone,” Mayor Simmons said. “That includes making sure everyone has access to a good paying job, making sure everyone has access to quality infrastructure, making sure that people have the opportunity to pursue their dreams here, raise a family here.”

INNOVATIVE IDEAS 2022 | 43

GOVERNANCE All The Data That’s Fit To Print

Data Haven helps municipalities govern with equity reports

n order to govern, one must know a bit about what it is you are governing. At its very essence, data is the primary factor in many governing decisions – from planning and zoning to mill rates. Data Haven, in partnership with Sustainable CT, recently released the Connecticut Town Equity Reports that will help our local leaders govern.

Taking a look at the map for New Haven, for instance, one will see that lead paint exposure risk is highly concentrated in the city, petering out as you move outwardly towards inner-ring suburbs, outer-ring suburbs and beyond.

Data Haven has been around for 25 years now, setting up reports like the CT Town Equity Reports. They are designed to “inform local-level efforts to improve community well-being and racial equity,” the Town Equity Reports cover topics like demographics, housing, education and more. Because of the partnership with Sustainable CT, they also include a section on Environment & Sustainability. The project notes that in addition to social factors, there are many environmental factors that will affect the lives of residents. Towns and cities can see were they rank on a risk scale for things like lead paint exposure, air cancer risk, or proximity to treatment facilities. For Sustainable CT, they write that environmental justice is “the idea that these factors of built and natural environments follow familiar patterns of socioeconomic disparities and segregation.”

On the other hand, New Haven has excelled in creating a more walkable city than the average town or city in Connecticut. Only 54% of Connecticut residents have stores within walking distance, while 77% of New Haven residents have that privilege. The same trends follow for sidewalks, bikes, and even local recreational facilities. This is largely due to the denser neighborhoods and traffic that comes with living in a city. Naturally, how each individual chooses to interpret and utilize this information is highly subjective. With limited resources, one might not be able to tackle every single issue. But if you live in an area where pollution is less concentrated in the air, but don’t have any sidewalks or safe places to bicycle, then you can choose where to most wisely spend your money. Thanks to Data Haven and the support from Sustainable CT, all 169 towns and cities have access to this NEWdecisions HAVEN 2021 PROFILE information to make those on EQUITY their own. Interested municipalities can visit www.ctdatahaven. org to find those reports and more.

Children under 7 years old are monitored annually for potential lead poisoning, based on having blood-lead levels in excess of the state’s accepted threshold. Between 2013 and 2017, 7.9 percent of children tested in New Haven were found to have elevated lead levels. Children living in homes built before 1960 are at a higher risk of potential lead poisoning due to the more widespread use of lead-based paints in older homes. Black and Latino households are slightly more likely to live in structures built before 1960.

NEW HAVEN 2021 EQUITY PROFILE

TABLE 11: HOUSEHOLDS LIVING IN STRUCTURES BUILT BEFORE 1960 BY RACE/ETHNICITY OF HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD, 2019 Total e Ar a

Count

White Shar e

Count

Black

Shar e

Count

Latino

Shar e

Count

Other race

Shar e

Count

Conne cticut

580,941

42%

399,512

40%

63,552

49%

93,011

53%

24,866

32%

Greater New Haven

115,741

48%

75,044

46%

16,514

53%

19,135

57%

5,048

37%

31,615

64%

11,190

67%

10,014

63%

8,163

65%

2,248

55%

Ne w Have n

DataHaven

44 | INNOVATIVE IDEAS 2022

GOVERNANCE

High Time To Lower Property Taxes

Mayor Luke Bronin joins the Municipal Voice to talk governance

ith the legislative session set to start next week, Connecticut towns and cities say it’s high time to help lower property taxes in a meaningful way. Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin, and also President of the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities joined the Municipal Voice, a co-production of CCM and WNHH 103.5 FM, to talk about the legislative proposals set by towns and cities that they think the Governor and General Assembly should act on in 2022. “Reducing overreliance on the property tax as the sole source of local government funding has been a longstanding priority for CCM,” Bronin said, “We are one of the most reliant on property taxes in the country.” As part of the legislative proposals, towns and cities are asking the state to consider municipal revenue diversification and providing incentives for municipalities to expand shared and regional services. For cities like Hartford and others, Bronin says that there is a need-ca-

pacity gap. This term refers to situations in which municipalities simply do not have enough capacity through taxable property to meet the needs of the community, while others have more than enough. This can create vast disparities in tax rates and outcomes between different communities. In Hartford, there’s more than a fair share of non-taxable properties – state property, colleges, and hospitals – that even fully funding programs like the Payments in Lieu of Taxes would not overcome these gaps. This is true also of education. As part of the suite of proposals from towns and cities, they believe that the funding of the Special Education Excess Cost Formula should not be capped. Bronin, said while this formula could use an update for the 21st century, small towns and big cities are hamstrung by insufficient state funding and volatility. Stating that these students with special needs deserve to have their needs met, but just

one student can alter the budget in a small town, while there may be a concentration of need in a city. The Mayor also spoke to proposals on Transit Oriented Development, Opioid Ombudsman, and the Transportation Climate Initiative saying that Connecticut is in a position to make big changes in a lot of areas that will help the everyday citizens of Connecticut by creating housing, stemming the opioid epidemic, and future proofing our infrastructure. The will is there to make many of these changes, and on more than one occasion the mayor applauded efforts from the state to help with these issues. For municipalities, it’s a matter of having that voice at the capitol where decisions are being made. “There are so many ways in which this pandemic has changed the game at the local level and raised the stakes,” Mayor Bronin said, “and we’re all dealing with unprecedented challenges, but we also have some unprecedented opportunities.”

INNOVATIVE IDEAS 2022 | 45

GOVERNANCE Connecticut Towns A Beacon of Calm Francis Pickering talks Western COG and COVID recovery

estern Connecticut has been home to much of the growth in the state over the past 10 years, clogging up infrastructure and tying up housing. Spreading that wealth around, according to Francis Pickering, Executive Director of the Western Connecticut Council of Governments, is one way to relieve the pressure. “What people were fleeing in New York City,” Pickering said, “they were not fleeing a shortage or deficiency of things to do.” For him, this migration is part of a much longer pattern that exists between the big city and Western Connecticut. COVID hit at a time when many millennials were hitting an age where they wanted to settle down. In New York City, they didn’t have backyards or access to parks in much the same way that Connecticut has – Pickering said that most people in Connecticut are within 15 minutes of being able to take a walk in the forest – so what’s going to keep them here is stability. A home is “often the largest investment in their life, it becomes a source of savings and intergenerational wealth, and they work really hard to choose a home location that they believe will deliver a return on investment.” Pickering notes that “What’s wrong with Connecticut?” Op-eds have largely died out as a theme lately, suggesting that the state has been a “beacon of calm in a gusty turbulent sea.” With a budget surplus and ARP funding putting the wind in the sails, there’s the additional considerations of the likely infrastructure funding and a new federal rule that will make it easier for Connecticut to receive fund that are predicting smooth sailing at least in the short term.

46 | INNOVATIVE IDEAS 2022

Francis Pickering, Executive Director of the Western Connecticut Council of Governments joined the Municipal Voice podcast in August, to talk all things COG.

Councils of Government, or COGs, are the closest thing that Connecticut has to county level government. In a state so small, the extra layer might seem extraneous and costly, but it has also prevented Connecticut from receiving federal funds. “This has happened to me personally,” Pickering said, “When we’ve applied for a grant, and they say I love your application, but you’re not eligible.” A new designation called County Equivalency from the Census Bureau will prevent that from happening – making COGs eligible for geographically determined moneys that would go to county-level government in other states. As far as transportation – Pickering says that we still exist in a traffic pattern that was first laid out in the 1950s – everyone goes one way to work and back the other way home,

creating the traffic that is so common on 95. Worse is the infrastructure on Metro North which harkens back to the 19th century. So to fix this, to bring it up to the 21st century, Pickering argues that we’re going to need much more investment than what the current bill offers. Most importantly though, Broadband can offer opportunities that asphalt roads cannot. By containing all the jobs to one area, you constrain the resources. Work from home policies can open up the state so that it evens out pressure and perhaps takes some vehicles off the road. “What’s good for our regions is good for the rest of the state,” he states, “We should all be enjoying economic growth.”

GOVERNANCE

A Very Young Century

Connecticut’s Youngest City Is Officially Old

onnecticut is getting old! Our oldest town was incorporated over 150 years before the United States became a thing. So it’s a milestone that our state’s youngest incorporated city – West Haven – is just celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2021. Being located next to New Haven, the area that is known as West Haven has been home to settlers going back to the original colony, as well as being the ancestral home to many Native American tribes much longer than that. And in a way, the city has taken a tortuous path to incorporation. It was part of New Haven, then part of Orange, before officially incorporating as a town in 1921 and as a city in 1961. On June 24, Westies as they are colloquially known, young and old, joined together at the Old Grove

Park to commemorate the event. This event was not only the blowing out of the “figurative candles” for its 100th birthday, but the first event in six-month series of celebrations. In July, the city brought back the Savin Rock Festival, a two-day affair that includes fireworks, local party rock bands, games & rides, as well as a slew of local eateries. Future events include a suite of fireworks billed as “They Will Be Heard on the 3rd,” taking place in September. A $10 lawn sign is being sold at the Savin Rock Festival as part of a raffle to push the “start button” on the fireworks. IN addition to the lawn sign, they are selling shirts, sweatshirts, tumblers, wine glasses, sunglasses, tote bags and much more. Portions of the vendors’ merchandise proceeds are going to support the centennial events according to

the city’s press release. Throughout the rest of the summer and into fall, there will be all sorts of concerts, bocce tournaments, a sandcastle contest, and a Salute to Veterans of the Last 100 Years at the West Haven Veterans Museum. One of the most interesting plans that they are working on is a reenactment of a spirited town meeting discussing West Haven’s separation from Orange in 1921 and starring leaders from both communities, according to the website. Not that there hasn’t been any changes to Connecticut’s landscape in the last 100 years, it’s interesting to think of our state as settled – we are the Land of Steady Habits after all. Happy 100th to West Haven, and we look forward to seeing what the next 100 hold for them and the rest of our wonderful towns and cities. INNOVATIVE IDEAS 2022 | 47

GOVERNANCE A Down Payment On The Future West Hartford Pension Plan is 100% funded

he old saying is that there are only two things you can be sure of in life – death and taxes. For many municipalities, you can add pension liabilities to that list. West Hartford just completed a historic sale of bonds to deal with just that issue. West Hartford, as in so many other municipalities, saw unfunded pension liabilities become the largest driver of budget increases. For years, pensions had not been adequately funded for, which for a myriad of reasons, saw their expenses explode all over the state.

ent value basis, officials said.” This figure, as astounding as it is, is based on a presumption of performance from future investments and could change based on the actual performance of markets. Hart said in the News article that oftentimes the pension obligation bonds are sold by distressed communities that cannot make payments, but using the low interest rates available right now was an innovative way to get the town to a fully-funded pension plan. Of course, this does not mean that the town is free from pension payments, but that those payments would be significantly less than if they had not done the sale – with figures of $7 to $12 million annually cited in the News article.

Cited in the West Hartford News, Town Manager Matt Hart said that the unfunded portion of the pension was around $315 million and about 41% funded. The bond sale covered about $365 million dollars worth of bonds that had funded the pension plan to 100%. The remaining funds raised by the bond sale were used to establish a Pension Bond Reserve Fund, which will be used to help in ties when there was a “significantly adverse market performance of pension assets.” According to a Patch article on the successful sale of bonds, the town sold “$324.3 million in pension bonds at a 2.539 percent ‘all-in true interest cost,’ which is 46 basis points less than the anticipated target rate of 3 percent. “The town’s consulting actuary projects a savings of more than $140 million in future pension costs on a pres-

While there was some risk to this kind of plan, the argument was that it was better to have a healthy pension plan than it was to not. This idea is growing in popularity as a revolutionary way to fully fund pension obligations, with Norwich presenting a similar plan around the same time that West Hartford was completing its sale. In a world where pension liabilities are as sure as death and taxes, it makes sense to take advantage of ways to lower that obligation in a sensible, low-risk way.

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48 | INNOVATIVE IDEAS 2022

HOUSING & INFRASTRUCTURE

Red Light, Green Light

Automated traffic signals installed in Greenwich

ith all of the technology available to us, someone had to be working on making traffic better. With new adaptive signals, Greenwich is making things a little better on city streets. Everyone knows that sitting in traffic can be the worst part of their commute. And it seems that the Federal Department of Transportation agrees. According to their resources: Poor traffic signal timing contributes to traffic congestion and delay. Conventional signal systems use pre-programmed, daily signal timing schedules. Adaptive signal control technology adjusts the timing of red, yellow and green lights to accommodate changing traffic patterns and ease traffic congestion. The main benefits of adaptive signal control technology over conventional signal systems are that it can: • Continuously distribute green light time equitably for all traffic movements • Improve travel time reliability by progressively moving vehicles through green lights • Reduce congestion by creating smoother flow • Prolong the effectiveness of traffic signal timing Greenwich has installed the state’s first adaptive traffic signal system to help improve the flow around Arch Street, which include areas around the I-95 Northbound and Southbound ramps.

These highly trafficked areas would see increased amounts of congestion at specific points throughout the day, and given their proximity to parks and museums, it was crucial to keep cars moving rather than idling for long periods of time. In a Patch article on these improvements, it was noted that it would take a year’s worth of data to truly understand the benefits of this installation, but there’s already some evidence that these new signals are alleviating congestion. Surprisingly, there’s one benefit to this that might not be obvious at first glance – it could help improve air quality. According to the DOT, it could reduce the emissions of hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide due with cars idling less. With 35,000 cars travelling through this corridor each day, there’s plenty of opportunity to reduce the amount of lingering pollution from vehicles. Recently, it was announced that Fairfield County had some of the worst air pollution in the nation. Towns and cities can be leaders in improving air quality, but also quality of life with new adaptive signals. Because we can all admit it, no one likes being stuck in traffic.

INNOVATIVE IDEAS 2022 | 49

HOUSING & INFRASTRUCTURE A Downtown Rebirth

Danbury is taking the moment to reexamine the sidewalks

here’s a movement underway to reinvigorate streets in municipalities around the state, even extending beyond state and national borders. Although this trend has gone largely unremarked upon on a cultural level, towns and cities like Danbury, Connecticut have officially begun to move on from the 20th century streetscape into a 21st century renaissance. The word renaissance itself means rebirth, and this is precisely what modern streetscapes require. For nearly 100 years, streets were reconfigured for the automobile to the exception of everything else. While it might seem obvious and reflexive to say that streets were designed for cars, it’s just as evident that has not always been the case. And often, automobiles limit the use of downtown areas – when an area becomes overly reliant on travel to a destination, that area’s capacity is limited to how many parking spots are available. The goal is to make many more destinations more pleasing to the pedestrian and cyclist, and this is precisely the project that Danbury has embarked on. One of the primary goals was to replace sidewalks, which had not been replaced since the 1990s and were nearing the end of their lifecycle. So too were trees, planters, and other fixtures. By the first quarter of 2022, Danbury officials expected to have repaired and replaced many of these, despite setbacks from ongoing supply chain issues. This phase of construction is notable since these are the kinds of repairs that would not normally be noticeable from a car driving at even low speeds. Future phases of the project introduce transit-oriented development, which could be situated around Union Station and a renewed push to bring fast train service to New

50 | INNOVATIVE IDEAS 2022

York City back to Danbury. Moving the current bus station closer to the trains is just one idea that is being looked at and a slew of new buildings are in varying stages of development in and around the downtown area that would add to the need for additional transportation options.

of its downtown,” and “Improved streetscape helps to incentivize economic development.”

As part of the initial planning, the town said in a presentation that this is an “opportunity to improve downtown green space which is a valuable and scare commodity in urban centers,” “represents City’s commitment to the importance

The Renaissance – the real one – didn’t happen overnight either. Whether you call it a walkable city, transit-oriented development, or something else, changes are coming to main streets.

But that doesn’t mean that change happens overnight. In three years, this project has already been manned by three mayors, with phases that will take time – especially the train service upgrades.

HOUSING & INFRASTRUCTURE

So Much Room For Activities Plainfield opens up open space committee

“P

assive activity” is a textbook example of an oxymoron. But it will be precisely these kinds of activities the newly minted openspace committee in Plainfield will be exploring.

But that doesn’t mean that there will be a limited amount of possible uses. The state offered examples like hiking, wildlife viewing, fishing, canoeing, picnicking, and even hunting.

The need for this committee became evident when the town became the owner of three contiguous lots that comprise 162 acres off of Kate Downing Road. The majority of which was given to the town by the state, with two private properties making up the last portions, which cost the town just $103,000.

Plainfield through their open space committee will be looking into all the possible ways that they can utilize this space.

With so much open space, it became clear the opportunity it had in front of them. The one thing that limits the use is the agreement with the state on their portion of the land that the parcel could only be used for passive recreation. According to a state document, passive activities are those that refer “to recreational activities that do not require intensive development and prepared facilities like sports fields or buildings. “Passive recreational activities place minimal stress on a site’s resources and as a result provide ecosystem service benefits and are highly compatible with natural resource protection.” This is important because most of the land that was given over was wooded, and protecting those environments where they currently exist is crucial for ongoing green efforts.

According to an article in the Bulletin, there will likely be 10 or fewer members to this committee with individuals who are already serving on boards and commissions that deal with these sorts of things already volunteering to be on the new committee. Alongside the committees work, the town is going to be consulting with the Army Corps of Engineers to discuss the possibility of trails being added into wetland areas. They also will be looking into grants, either from the state or federal government, to help make up the costs of adding these amenities. Though “passive activity” might sound like an oxymoron, for the town of Plainfield, it means that the residents will have a place to enjoy the outdoors, walk a bit and perhaps have a little picnic. The committee that will help decide the future of this land will certainly not be passive in their decision making, but play an active role in Plainfield’s future.

INNOVATIVE IDEAS 2022 | 51

HOUSING & INFRASTRUCTURE Pedal Pushers, Pedestrians, And Progress New Haven adding infrastructure for things other than cars

ot long into the 21st century, there have been faint hints of a quiet question – are cars really the best idea? They pollute, they’re dangerous for those inside and out, and they also make it very easy for individuals to get around. But what if there were other, safer, greener ways to get around? Governments from federal to local are asking this question – in New Haven, several projects are aimed at making the city more bicycle friendly. One such project is taking place in the Edgewood neighborhood, connecting the west side of town to downtown via a cycle track. After delays that arose due to COVID restrictions, this project has finally begun with expected completion next year sometime. Not only will this track provide a safe location for cyclists to make their way downtown, but it has added benefits in safety across the board. For pedestrians, they will be making improvements on crosswalks including ADA compliant signals and ramps at each intersection. And for cars, the additional infrastructure will have the effect of making the street look more crowded. This has been shown to decrease traffic speeds, thus making the road safer for those in cars as well. Whitney Ave is seeing the same kind of rethinking, although that project is still in the planning phase. For part of the project, the plan includes the separated bike lanes that have become popular around the world. A cross section of the new design shows a sidewalk, two bike lanes for north and south travel, a parking lane, a two lane street divided by a center turn lane, and then the other sidewalk. This kind of infrastructure makes it nearly impossible to hit a cyclist under normal driving situations. But even this plan has setbacks 52 | INNOVATIVE IDEAS 2022

as the plan has to change about halfway up causing issues with dismounting and crossing the street for cyclists. This is why the city is meeting and discussing these plans with individuals who plan to use the infrastructure – the residents. Any project that neglects the way individuals have to use it in practice runs the risk of not being used at all.

more, people are using this infrastructure to get around – both for leisure and essential travel.

And finally, after several years, construction has finally begun on the final part of the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail connecting Long Wharf to Hamden and, if you have the time and strength, Massachusetts.

It’s unlikely that we will see a world without cars – even if they doubled the Infrastructure Plan to $4 trillion, it would not be enough to convince everyone to give up their cars and take public transportation. But in cities like New Haven, the “Field of Dreams” logic is working, if you build it, they will come.

This final piece of the puzzle is all part of the reimagining of infrastructure and best uses. More and

Towns and cities across the country are making bicycles a priority, and in some places around the world, cars have been shut out of downtown areas giving them a safer and more vibrant spaces for their residents.

HOUSING & INFRASTRUCTURE

Making The Connection

East Hartford has a new high speed calling card

t doesn’t take much to realize how important the internet has become over the last 30 years. COVID has only increased the necessity of good, high speed internet. East Hartford is beginning down a path that will be a new calling card for the town. As of late last year, the town, in partnership with SiFi Networks, is installing an open access network of fiber cable. Bob Knight, a spokesman for Sifi Networks described this arrangement to CT Public Radio as most like an airport. In his metaphor, the airport is the network they are building, while the airlines that operate there (Delta or American) are equivalent to the Internet Service Providers (Comcast or Verizon). This incentivizes competition between companies, and those benefits will see their way to the town and its residents. Many will be most interested in the speeds of the internet. Gone are the days of the dial-up – the speeds that can be achieved with fiber optic will be almost 20,000 times faster to begin with, with that speed increasing to 10 gbps over time. These are speeds that are nearly 200 million times faster than our operating speeds just 20 years ago. While residents will see the benefits when it comes time to listen to their streaming music or watch a mov-

ie on Netflix, this infrastructure will also pay dividends with the business community. In East Hartford, this plan has already attracted the interest of longtime businesses like Pratt & Whitney, as well as the many businesses that are tied to the aerospace industry, per reporting from the Hartford Business Journal. But Alexandra Daum says that this will be a kind of ace in the hole when businesses are looking to move their operations. In that Hartford Busines Journal article, she says that businesses that are interviewing Connecticut tend to place broadband internet at the top of their priorities list. Although this project isn’t expected to be done for a few years, it was more than a few years in the making. Former Mayor Marcia Leclerc began looking for solutions back in 2014. With Sifi, she may have hit the jackpot as the entire project will be funded privately at no cost to the taxpayers. As a major focus of the past few years, CCM, municipal and state leaders, teachers and students, businesses and work-from-homers all have asked for better and more reliable internet at reasonable prices. East Hartford’s new calling card says to the state that those wishes are possible.

INNOVATIVE IDEAS 2022 | 53

HOUSING & INFRASTRUCTURE

Settling Down Near Home

Affordable Housing Initiative Gets Regional Boost

ne of the most inescapable facets of Connecticut living is just how expensive the state is. While there might be a dozen opinions on how it got to be that way, we know that housing is a large part of that additional cost. Many municipalities have already produced Affordable Housing Plans to deal with this issue, but thirteen municipalities have begun working on a Regional Housing Plan as part of their Council of Governments. Under Public Act 17-170 of the Connecticut General Statutes, municipalities are charged with preparing and adopting an affordable housing plan every five years, or amending it if one already exists. The outline of the plan should be to “specify how the municipality intends to increase the number of affordable housing developments in the municipality.” The Lower Connecticut River Valley Council of Governments is developing a regional plan that fulfills all the requirements of this section, which must be adopted by June 30, 2022. All 17 member towns are

54 | INNOVATIVE IDEAS 2022

expected have to have plans, that “will address locally important issues while also aligning with larger regional goals,” according to the COG website. They go on to define Affordable Housing as housing that costs 30% or less of household income making less than 80% of the state or Area Median Income (AMI), whichever is lower. For a family of four, the upper limit is around $80,000 a year. There has been a lot of misconception about affordable housing throughout the many conversations that took place around legislature in the past year. While public housing developments or mixed-income apartments could be an obvious example for affordable housing, the COG suggests that many examples of Single-Family homes would fall under the affordable banner if they have subsidized mortgages through the U.S. Department of Agriculture or Connecticut Housing Finance Authority. These kinds of homes make it possible for younger first-time home-

buyers to take part in home-ownership, and many would argue, the American Dream. While mandated for each municipality to have such a plan, asking what affordable housing might look like as part of a regional conversation. In areas that are already built-out with single-family homes, it could make more sense to allow for things like Accessory Dwelling Units, popularly called In-Law apartments. Or incentives could be provided to owners of the traditional New England Triple-Decker Houses. No matter what it looks like, understanding that Connecticut is an expensive place to live is a jumping off point for conversations about how to grow the state. By making a plan to grow the regional affordable housing stock, the towns in the Lower Connecticut River Valley COG are looking for solutions that make sense, and could lead to residents seeing themselves settling down in the house around the corner, not the one in another state.

HOUSING & INFRASTRUCTURE 1.88 Cars /1 Parking Spot = Problem West Hartford looking to solutions for parking spot shortage

hen you buy a car, you automatically assume that you’ll have a place to put it wherever you go. Your supermarket will have a place – preferably close to the door – for you to park. Your workplace, your favorite restaurant, all likely have parking places nearby. But what happens when density runs up against available parking spots? West Hartford is trying to determine just how to solve that problem. The problem is multi-faceted and not all of the issues are problems. For one, towns that are seeing growth in population are going to have to tackle this problem sooner or later. Currently, every household in America - whether it is an estate one 100 acres or a studio apartment in New York – has an average of 1.88 cars, while over 90% of households have at least one car. A key focus of transit oriented development is growing that 10% of people who don’t have or even need a car. And throughout the past two decades there have been increasing discussions over “minimum parking requirements,” or the amount of parking spaces per apartment in new buildings. The Brookings Institute argues that these requirements are adding to the cost of multifamily housing with an average of $50,000 per-unit costs for each additional parking space in above-ground or below-ground parking. But that still leaves you with the problem of the 1.88 cars per household that need somewhere to go.

This problem can easily be seen in towns and cities across Connecticut because housing was built before the modern car-dominated era. Cited in a Courant article about this issue, Town Manager Matt Hart said that “Since some of the apartment complexes in that area were built in the early 1900s — before the widespread use of cars and establishment of modern zoning laws — landlords have been renting extra parking spaces from churches and local eateries, like Butterfly Restaurant on Farmington Avenue.” But even those spots are becoming scarce leading them to think about overnight parking permits for residents only, which would allow them parking in certain areas only. They could further restrict this permit to residents in only buildings of five units or more. This problem has been exacerbated by COVID, since so many individuals were working from home or home from school, that it became apparent just how many cars there were that needed parking spaces. Unlike grocery stores or your doctors office, or even town hall, spots for your household to park the family car are dwindling as density increases. In order to successfully grow, increase economic development and still have enough parking spaces for residents and visitors, municipalities are going to have to decide just where to put all those cars.

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HOUSING & INFRASTRUCTURE Meriden Innovates With Parking Lot Tech Get out of your car, and into their lot, and pay with your phone

or years, companies had been working on wireless infrastructure. With COVID-19, many people realized quite how useful those technologies are. In the City of Meriden, they’ve begun to apply that technology to parking by having people pay with their phones. The two lots that they’ve piloted this program on is the city’s parking lots at Butler Street and Church Street, according to an article from the Record Journal, using technology from the company AirGarage. Used in many private industries, and especially popular in the hotel business, the AirGarage platform promises higher revenue to lot and garage owners. The idea behind this app is that parking should be easy and accessible for both the commuter and the owner, and they allow for a system that validates employees parking and prevents violators slipping through the cracks. According to the article, the cloud-based system that “utilizes surveillance cameras to photograph license plates, whereby the commuters can pay via credit card on their phones. This will lead to the city saving money on the infrastructure and salaries of maintaining the parking lot, plus whatever earnings the lot makes on top of that. Previously, the lots were cash-only. According to the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco who releases payment studies, said that cash accounted for only

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19% of all payments. This raises the question of how many people was the city missing because people just didn’t have cash on them. Because the AirGarage system only requires a cell phone – rather than a smart phone like the iPhone or Galaxy – nearly anyone can use the lots. Per the latest figures from Pew Research, 97% of Americans own a cell phone, with 85% having a smartphone. With the emphasis on cheaper and easier parking, companies like AirGarage are trying to maximize the potential of real estate in towns and cities everywhere. They estimate that there are on average 8 parking spaces for every car at any given time. By optimizing the amount of spaces needed for parking within an area, there’s the possibility for changing the unused spaces into literally anything else. The first step is getting everyone to use the technology that is available to them. With the pandemic proving that whether it’s Zoom or QR codes, people can adapt to pretty much anything if they need to use it. With the end of the pandemic and reopening of public spaces, more and more people might be looking for places to park their car. There are at least two places in the City of Meriden that will make it easier for them to come and go.

PUBLIC SAFETY The Public Safety section of CT&C is sponsored by Emergency Resource Management. Learn more at: http://ermanagement.com

Cameras Don’t Lie

New Haven project will aid in solving crime

ften, when openly discussing the idea of cameras in public spaces, images out of George Orwell’s 1984 are conjured in the imagination. So when New Haven argued that it wanted to purchase 500 additional surveillance cameras, it was met with pushback from some constituents who felt this was a step towards an Orwellian future. Others felt that not only will this be a useful tool in solving crime, but it also has the possibility to prevent crime. The proposal began as part of the pandemic-relief money that was given to all towns and cities. New Haven already had about 200 cameras, which pales in comparison to Connecticut’s other large cities. Hartford for instance has 1200, while Bridgeport has 1,600 according to figures reported in the New Haven Independent. But these cameras are not simply a matter of keeping up with the joneses. New Haven has a lower closure rate than these cities, and often the issue isn’t that the police don’t have credible leads, but simply that they do not have evidence that will stand up in court or community members are reticent to share information with the police. During a press conference on the subject, Mayor Justin Elicker noted one strong advantage: “Cameras don’t lie.” That is an ongoing reason why police more and more are relying on video evidence from all manner of sources.

One obvious resource are police body cameras. Mandated to be worn by all police, it is generally accepted that the footage these cameras collect protect both the police officer and the public from any abuse of power. But towns and cities across the country are increasingly looking towards cameras not installed by the municipality, but the public themselves. These cameras come in the form of doorbells and other such devices that homeowners install to protect their homes. And with this valuable resource police departments, including several in Connecticut, have asked homeowners to become part of their database of cameras. The way it works is that the police don’t have access to the cameras 24/7, but if a suspect robs a bank and travels through a neighborhood, they could then ask the homeowners along the route to share the video to accurately trace the vehicles path. While the fictional world presents a cautionary tale against Big Brother style spying on everyday citizens, the real world presents a different kind of tale. It’s one where people prefer to have the record reflect the truth, honestly and accurately. Even the best-intentioned citizen does not have the recall of a camera record. There’s no guarantee that cameras will be a cure-all for the city’s problem, and more than one individual in the city said they were just one tool in the toolbox. But for New Haven, it’s important that those tools are available when they are needed most.

New Haven already had about 200 cameras, which pales in comparison to Connecticut’s other large cities. Hartford for instance has 1200, while Bridgeport has 1,600

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PUBLIC SAFETY Truly A Rescue Mission

New Milford will help struggling residents during difficult times

hen CCM says that the ARPA funds are going to be transformative for towns and cities, what we really mean is that they are going to make a difference in the lives of residents of this great state. New Milford has recently approved a plan that will prove the value of these federal dollars by helping their residents. The Town Council voted at a recent meeting to approve funds from the American Rescue Plan to help folks who suffer from addiction. The total amount of approved funds will go to four recovery houses – Heritage Inn Recovery Residence, Phoenix House, Grace House, and Hope House. During the pandemic, the need for addiction services went up, as did deaths from overdoses. According to the Society for Human Resource Management, nearly 100,000 individuals died over the course of

12 months from substance abuse, which is an all-time high. While a death is the most severe outcome, the addiction affects many other areas of an individual’s life before it comes to that. They noted in an article on the issue that “Amid the pandemic, mental health and substance use disorders have worsened, in some cases significantly, including the use of alcohol and recreational drugs during the workday.” And as the economic recovery surges on, many of the protections that were once in place are being removed. Protections like the eviction moratorium ending pose a real threat to individuals who have struggled throughout the pandemic. These recovery residences are not run by the town, but the town does play a crucial role in the full recovery of individuals that need this help. Justin Cullmer, who began work as the Community Care Coordinator

just before the pandemic, works to make connections for these individuals. From a CT Insider article, they say his job evolved during this time into “keeping people in their homes - permanently.” Through the Coordinated Access Network and other services, he helps these individuals seek out resources that are already available to them. Food banks, energy assistance and other state programs are noted in the Insider article. As Town Council member Hilary Ram is quoted as saying in that article, “the work that the sober-living residences provides is what ARPA funding ‘is intended to do,’ which is help people who are struggling.” It’s been a difficult two years for all of us. For many though, it has been triggering for past addictions or overwhelming. New Milford is providing that essential bridge from hopelessness to hope by providing these vouchers.

New Milford is providing that essential bridge from hopelessness to hope

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PUBLIC SAFETY

Grant Enables Social Work Solutions Stamford will hire more social workers for police force

ver the last two year, our nation has had a sometimes difficult conversation over policing. Though there have been disagreements over which direction we should be taking our police departments, one area that has seen support from many sides is the addition of social workers to the force to aid in public safety. Stamford has recently been awarded a grant to continue this expansion of their Community Response Initiative. The grant was awarded by the U.S. Justice Department in the amount of $550,000 over three years to hire a social worker that will ride along with police during calls that are more in line with their capabilities. One line we’ve heard often over the past two years is that we’ve expected our police force to take on more and more expertise while still performing their basic duties. So when responding to calls that involve mental health or substance abuse challenges, the person best able to respond would look more like a social worker than a police officer. Many departments around the nation began to wonder, why don’t we simply hire social workers to engage with these challenges and respond to these calls? These social workers will be wearing many hats themselves. From the original grant, Stamford says that they will use the funds to “hire additional Master of Social Workers (MSW) from our mental health partner, the Recovery Network of Program (RNP) to embed in the

Police Department, to, when safe and appropriate, respond to calls for service with the Police Behavioral Unit (BHU), to conduct mental health assessments, coordinate care, referrals and assertive linkage for Emotionally Disturbed Persons (EDP). Other activities include; conducting a systems-wide needs assessment to identify service gaps, assigning a Project Manager to manage the CRI, enhancing training for all relevant staff, conducting an extensive outreach campaign to engage a host of cross sector service providers, conducting Mental Health Fairs, and employing a robust social media campaign and a progressive training regimen, as well as working with BJA Technical Assistance.” Stamford has asked that question, and the funds from this grant will actually go towards the second social worker to be aligned with the police force. Not only do they ride along on appropriate calls, but they also follow up with individuals in some situations, which can lead to preventing that second call. The grant will be applied over the course of three years and some of the funds will go towards helping the traditional force secure training as well as mental health fairs and outreach programs. With even just one social worker assisting the force, calls have already decreased, a sign that the program is working. For Stamford, this can only be seen as a positive development. At the end of the day, keeping people safe is what it’s all about. INNOVATIVE IDEAS 2022 | 59

PUBLIC SAFETY Tie Dye And Wellness

Greenwich pairs up with Liberation Programs for mobile wellness unit

hen the Liberation Programs “Mobile Wellness Van” rolls up, it’s hard to miss the vehicle or the team. Bedecked in tie-dye that wouldn’t be out of place at a Grateful Dead concert, they’ve come to Greenwich with a mission to save lives. The program has been in operation since 1971, with outposts already in Bridgeport, Norwalk, Stamford, and Westport. Specializing in substance use disorders, they report that they have served more than 2,400 individuals in their last fiscal year. A lot of that is due to the ongoing opioid crisis, which has affected people in every corner of America. In the Greenwich Free Press, John Hamilton, CEO of Liberation Programs, said “Addiction is an equal opportunity disease. It affects all ages, all socio-economic classes, both genders, sadly, the same way. We’re here to meet people where they are in Greenwich.”

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That is where the van comes in. It’s so bright and colorful so that people can see it and recognize it. Every Tuesday, the van will be parked near an I-95 exit, but that location can change depending on where the folks at Liberation Programs and town leaders in Greenwich feel it is needed. This is important because many individuals need to understand their addictions before recovering from them. And sometimes unfortunately, individuals will need Narcan or other interventions before they ultimately accept that there is a problem. Also in the Free Press article, Hamilton said that they can’t force people into a recovery program and expect them to change overnight. “That means that for some, this may be the year of recovery. We can start their recovery process, but we also know that this may not be the year of recovery, but our

goal is to keep people alive to continue to engage them,” he is quoted as saying. From the mobile van, “Liberation provides services for adults, youth, and families that include two inpatient treatment programs, outpatient and intensive outpatient services, health education for older adults and people living with HIV/ AIDS and other chronic illnesses, treatment and resources for adolescents and their families, education and prevention efforts in the community, mobile harm reduction services, and permanent supportive housing for families.” While the tie-dye might be fun, the work that Liberated Programs does is serious. Many towns that have a partnership with an organization like Liberated know the benefits of the human interactions that they provide. Each person they interact with is another person that can be saved from the throes of addiction.

PUBLIC SAFETY

High Tech Prevents High Speed Chase

Newington police try out StarChase High Speed Pursuit Alternative

he device might look like something out of a James Bond movie. Instead of leading a life of danger like the Secret Agent Man, the StarChase High Speed Pursuit Alternative Technology aims to lower danger during high speed chases. Newington Police recently announced that they will be the first in the state to implement this technology. It’s fairly common sense that high speed chases are dangerous. Worse than one car going over the speed limit is several cars going over the speed limit. Even with sirens blaring, each car added during a chase increases the chance that one will be involved in an accident. So how do you eliminate the need for a high speed chase while still maintaining some semblance of control over the situation? You shoot a gps tracker out of the front grill of your police car, of course. The StarChase technology employs a simple system of vehicle mounted launchers and GPS tracking tags that can be utilized during high speed chases so that police could back away from the chase while still monitoring the location of the suspect’s vehicle through an integrated tracking application. By backing off, the pursued car usually slows down thinking that they are in the clear. This gives the police time to monitor the situation, gain an idea of where the pursued are heading and plan for a safe arrest of the individual.

Early on after the technology was first introduced, there were some concerns about Fourth Amendment compliance, and StarChase asked the American Civil Liberties Union to assess the technology, and they were overall supportive with few caveats. In a press release from 2014, they said: “We don’t see any problem with this technology, assuming that it is used in the kind of way that everybody probably imagines it being used. In other words, that: • It is used only in police chases that commence when a police officer has the equivalent of probable cause of wrongdoing (even if just fleeing a temporary detention like a traffic stop) and do not have time to get a warrant. • The device is removed and the location tracking ends the first time the police catch up to the person they are chasing. • The police catch up to the suspect as soon as they can (in other words, no letting them wander around for extended periods of time without pursuing them, in order to learn things about them).” Newington purchased this device with a Justice Assitance Grant from the Connecticut Office of Policy and Management’s Violent Crime Prevention bureau, according to an article from the New Britain Herald. The town has not changed any of their policies regarding chases, per that article. With the rise in auto thefts, it could prove to be a valuable tool in asset recovery, they said, while minimizing risk. INNOVATIVE IDEAS 2022 | 61

PUBLIC SAFETY Carnival With A Soul

Orange Firemen’s Carnival Came Back Better

t’s hard to put into words just how incredible the response has been to the COVID-19 pandemic in the state of Connecticut. Over 80% of Connecticut residents over 18 had their first shot by the end of July. But we haven’t reached herd immunity quite yet, so municipalities around the state have to meet people where they are to get them vaccinated. One example of this thinking comes in the form of a carnival. The Orange Firemen’s Carnival is a yearly benefit to the town’s volunteer fire department, with roots for both the carnival and department going back nearly a century. Due to COVID, the Carnival had to be cancelled in 2020, the first time since World War II according to the organizers of the event. Although the raffles – which included prizes like a $10,000 gift card – were still held, the lack of a carnival left a budget shortfall for 62 | INNOVATIVE IDEAS 2022

the department. In a statement on last year’s cancellation, Fire Chief Vaughn Dumas said that while in the past the Carnival could cover most of the budget, but with everything being more expensive it would be hard to keep up. Fortunately, despite an uptick related to the Delta variant, Connecticut has been extremely successful in mitigating outbreaks. From mask mandates to vaccine outreach, cases have been low enough to hold our beloved summer events. This is where the vaccine comes in. It was arranged by Annemarie Sliby, executive director of the Orange Economic Development Corporation (OEDC) according to the New Haven Register. The idea is simple – match a popular event that attracts thousands of people, and try to get some of the vaccine hesitant or those that just

haven’t gotten it yet, by offering them free rides at the carnival. The partnership with the OEDC, Fire Department, and Griffin Hospital, administered either the Pfizer or Johnson & Johnson vaccines to those eligible to receive it (essentially all people 12 years and older who have not already received the vaccine). Reaching those final people who have so far not received the vaccine is the only surefire way to make sure that our state and the country successfully reopens. It has been said in the pages of CT&C before, but the work that our municipalities, our state leadership, and most importantly, the residents of Connecticut have done is a model for the rest of the country. With innovative ideas like this one from the town of Orange, we’ll be able to enjoy our carnivals and fairs.

PUBLIC SAFETY

Reaching People Where They Are

New Milford app adds new tech to notify its residents on the go

ne obvious thing about us here at Connecticut Town & City is that we like to keep our readers informed with important updates and innovative ideas. So when a town implements a new program to do that for their residents as New Milford did with their Notify New Milford, then we have to highlight it.

geo-targeted basis – like for instance if you enter an area where there’s a road closure up ahead, it can tell you.

The concept is simple – residents or individuals who find themselves in New Milford often can sign up for text messages and phone calls that will update them on crucial up-to-date information. This includes things like severe weather reports and missing persons reports, or even simple things like road closures and town events. Through Notify New Milford, individuals can decide how many notifications that they’d like to receive.

Benefits to an emergency alert system like this are obvious. Routing people away from serious weather events like tornadoes or unexpected road closures due to downed trees. But having residents more engaged in town events can be a huge plus that cannot be downplayed.

And because people are everywhere these days, they give you multiple options to receive the messages – home phone numbers for those that still have it, text messages and calls to your mobile phones, emails and other alerts. The whole thing is powered by the Everbridge App, which allows people to receive messages even on a

To sign up, residents can go to the Town of New Milford home page at www.newmilford.org and scroll down to the bottom of the home page and click the Notify New Milford icon.

More and more towns are adopting measures to ensure that their residents stay connected, and we’ve written about this topic before. Some towns are experimenting with apps like this, while others are using social media to stay connected. What stands out is that the times have changed and we no longer know where people are. Reaching them at their location of choosing is the next step in keeping Connecticut residents connected and informed. INNOVATIVE IDEAS 2022 | 63

PUBLIC SAFETY A New Community Policing

Willimantic PD teams up with ECSU Students for one of a kind internship

ne of the biggest questions that arose in 2020 was: Just what should policing look like in the future? And it turns out that many people had a lot of thoughts about bringing those new ideas into departments around the country. In Willimantic, a new pilot program is pairing students from Eastern Connecticut State University with the local Police Department. Cited as a direct response to the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis and the Police Accountability bill that was signed into law last year, departments were asked to look into using social workers in response to some calls, particularly non-violent ones. Students from the ECSU Social Work Program followed police over 400 hours “in an on-ground internship that engaged them with the community on nonviolent police calls and follow-ups pertaining to mental health, substance abuse, homelessness, and other social issues.” Social workers, or students on the path to receiving their degrees, are trained in the kind of issues that police officers might face but are not adept at handling. In the same way that an EMT can provide life-saving medical attention on the way to the hospital, they probably aren’t equipped to perform a heart transplant – police cannot be experts in all facets that people call them for. Willimantic Police Chief Paul Hussey told ECSU that “Many of the department’s calls are by ‘gravely disabled’ individuals – a classification for people who are presently unable to provide for their basic needs due to mental health or substance abuse.” Students in the pilot program spoke of situations where in a traditional case they would not have been “needed,” but their presence clearly helped. “[Emily] Constantino recalls responding with an office to a report of a drug overdose: ‘Upon arriving, I met a woman who had just witnessed her close friend overdose in her apartment. This woman was clearly traumatized and was incredibly emotional while watching EMTs try to save her friend’s life. “During this situation, I was able to speak with this woman and calm her down while the police officers and EMTs helped her friend. I feel grateful that I was there to provide support for this woman during this call; I can only imagine how terrifying it is to witness something like that.” The first year was a success for both school and police, and the Willimantic Police Department said they’d like to hire full-time social workers in the future. It would mean, not an end to cops, but a reframing of what situation requires which response, leading perhaps to a safer tomorrow.

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ECSU’s Clock Tower

SOCIAL WELFARE

Spooky Tales Abound

Morris library event gathers folks around the campfire

t may be a cold Winter’s day in Connecticut, far from Autumn, but with so much legend and folklore surrounding New England, any day is a good day for the telling of stories around a campfire. The Morris Public Library held just that, at least a virtual campfire, with master storyteller, Jeff Belanger this past January to an intrigued and sometimes frightened audience.

He regaled the audience with several tales of supposed alien sightings, pirates who were masquerading as school teachers, and more before getting into an often comical tale of Connecticut intrigue.

Host of the New England Legends podcast, which catalogs the many stories of “haunts, monsters, aliens, and weird history” from Connecticut and beyond.

This tale was not so much hearsay for it was reported in the Hartford Courant for several years. In the pages of the country’s oldest continually running newspaper they reported sightings and went on hunts with enthusiasts.

In addition to his podcast, he is an Emmy-nominated television presenter with a show on the same subject airing on PBS and Amazon Prime, as well as several books including several on the ghosts of the White House, communicating with the dead, and plenty of other spooky topics.

Individuals in Glastonbury might know the story of the Glawackus, described as a legendary creature, something of a cross between a panther, a bear, and a lion.

Not long afterwards, advertisements began showing up saying that the Glawackus would make an appearance. A tailor offered to make a Glawackus coat or scarf, and a butcher said that they were regrettably out of the rare animal’s

meat, but that beef would be plenty in supply. But soon the gig was up – the Glawackus was made up by the paper’s assistant state editor Frank King. He came up with the name by combining Glastonbury and Wacky and throwing the –us at the end for good measure. Though the story might have been silly, it wasn’t just the Courant that made out from this legend. People got together and told tall tales about the things they had seen, some truthfully, some in good fun. The individuals who joined Belanger and the Morris Library were there, partaking in that tradition of New England Storytelling. Connecticut has more than its fair share of strange tales, and Belanger himself notes that “the bizarre is closer than you think.” Just hopefully not as close as the dreaded Glawackus.

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SOCIAL WELFARE Getting Involved Realizes Local Silver Girl Scouts learn the ins and outs of local gov

ach year, CCM hands out #locoolgov scholarships to Connecticut schoolchildren who submit a project on what makes local government cool. So whenever we hear a story about a group of kids getting together to get involved in the local government process, like Girl Scout Troop 30223 did in Fairfield, we just have to share. Two of the troops girls, Ayla Eyikan and Teagan Weber – both middle schoolers – decided that they wanted to make their city a little bit cleaner and to encourage others to respect others with none other than a dog waste station at the Pine Creek Open Space park. From the Fairfield Citizen, they write that these girls took charge of the entire process. From proposing the idea for the station, presenting it to the Fairfield Conservation Department, selecting the location, researching and obtaining all the supplies, digging the hole, pouring the concrete and, finally, installing the station, including the first allotment of bags needed to supply the station. Their plan was to get badges for their work on their way to completing a Silver Award, which is one of the highest honors in Girl Scouting. One of the keys to earning this award is to “explore your community and

Fairfield Girl Scout Troop 30223 Girl Scouts Ayla Eyikan, and Teagan Weber

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think of how [an] affects your community.” And for them, there are many definitions of what a community is: “Communities are groups of people who have something in common. You belong to many communities: Your school is a community, for example. So is your math class or your debate team. Even kids who ride the same bus every day are a community. Other communities include your neighborhood, your place of worship, your town, and so on. Think about what communities you belong to.” Though it might seem a simple task, this is a reminder that no matter what age you are, engaging in their respective communities and in local government is entirely up to the individual to help make the changes they want to see. With #locoolgov, CCM wants to make sure that students around the state are aware of their communities and the role they can play in shaping them. It is nice to see the Girl Scouts playing a role in helping young adults foster a sense of civic duty and what it means to be active. It’s not just a dog waste station that was put up in Fairfield, it was a series of steps from idea to reality, and an investment in community.

SOCIAL WELFARE

Taking PRIDE In Your City

Municipalities across state celebrate LGBTQ+ residents

n June 1969, a pioneering group of individuals stood up for LGBT rights at the Stonewall Inn bar in New York City. Considered a major turning point in the gay rights movement, it is the reason Pride Month is celebrated each June, which are taking place more and more across the United States including in towns and cities in Connecticut. Many began official celebrations for Pride Month in honor of the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots. Both the city of Middletown and town of West Hartford celebrated their first Prides in 2019, quickly becoming model celebrations in Connecticut. In Middletown, the event was created by a committee whose express purpose was “to bring visibility and recognition to the city’s LGBTQIA2S+ citizens” and through partnerships with the Middlesex

County Chamber of Commerce and Wesleyan University, they launched on June 15, 2019. They drew over 15,000 people in that first year alone, becoming one of the largest celebrations in Connecticut and even New England. These celebrations are still ongoing – in West Hartford where they also partner with local businesses and organizations like Blue Back Square and BeMindfulWeb.com, they are holding hybrid events throughout the month of June starting with a raising of the Pride Flag on June 1st. Pioneering towns and cities like Middletown and West Hartford helped inspire individuals in other municipalities to recreate these events closer to home. In Hamden, a town that has celebrated LGBTQ+ events before, plans to have annual Pride Month

celebrations each June. This important celebration will help families connect with each other. Same-sex couples with young children often don’t see themselves represented, but as Jacky Forucci, one of the events planners said in a New Haven Register article, “We want to have something for the kids to do to Connecticut with other kids and families that are … within the LGBTQ+ community or allies of the LGBTQ+ community.” It’s clear that these events are growing in popularity amongst the LGBTQ+ community and beyond. Whether a town or city has been holding them for years or are just beginning, we must recognize that we are better when everyone feels accepted in their community, and by doing so honoring the brave individuals who fought for those rights over 50 years ago.

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SOCIAL WELFARE

UConn School of Medicine Associate Dean of Primary Care Bruce Gould, along with School of Medicine students Rohit Makol ‘25 and Samhita Gurrala ‘25 with Corsi-Rosenthal boxes (UConn Health Photo).

DIY HVAC

Coventry gets free stopgap air filtration units from UConn

uring the COVID pandemic, the outdated state of our school HVAC systems have become readily apparent. While CCM and other partners work with the state government to secure funding to help repair these integral systems, schools have put temporary solutions in place. In Coventry, a partnership with UConn has shown how to DIY the air. The need for clean air is perennial – no one wants to inhale smog or even allergens – but during the pandemic, this need has been heightened. Nearly every building manager began looking to their HVAC capabilities and many learned that they were outdated or insufficient to handle an airborne virus. But a series of roadblocks prevented the costly repairs or replacements for these systems. Some simply needed new filters, but so did everyone leading to shortages. In other cases, it became evident that their system was near the end of their lifespan. While there was some movement on working with the state for funding for these upgrades, many places needed some kind of stopgap measure that was affordable and could be installed quickly. Some places looked to commercially available air purifiers. Others looked to DIY culture, and that’s where the Corsi-Rosenthal boxes come in. These boxes are unique in that they were designed in

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direct response to the pandemic specifically for areas like classrooms that needed a temporary solution. They are elegant in their simplicity: Four simple air filters like you would use in a house furnace make up the walls and a box fan tops the system, which is sealed with simple duct tape to create a negative vacuum. No louder than your typical box fan which is used to cool a room, these have become a unique solution to a common problem. Depending on the level of filter and sturdiness of construction, some have performed as good if not better than the costlier portable HEPA filtration systems that have become popular. In Coventry, this solution was more special because it was a partnership with the University Of Connecticut School Of Nursing. University students built the Corsi-Rosenthal boxes to be distributed to schools. It’s evident that filtration systems are essential outside of the pandemic as well. Filtering dust, smoke, pollen, and other irritants make for a better and healthier learning environment for all. Corsi-Rosenthal boxes are a great solution for this need, but they are not an end-all-be-all solution. CCM will continue to work with its partners and the state to secure funding for our schools to replace or repair these systems.

SOCIAL WELFARE

Bookselling Idea Is An Easy Sell

Trumbull looks to region for ideas and comes up with a no-brainer

owns and cities working together and sharing ideas is a big part of CCM. Whether through regional projects or simply helping each other, we know we have what it takes to make Connecticut a better place for every resident. In Trumbull, they looked to other towns for inspiration on an exciting new project students with disabilities. The program which is called Educating Learners In Transition Environments, or ELITE, aims to help students with disabilities transition from a school environment to what they call “the adult world.” That transition is difficult enough for individuals, taking on responsibilities and managing tasks – but for students with disabilities who often had aides in school, this transition can be difficult to navigate. The ELITE program is helping them by giving them a place to start – the ELITE bookstore. Students will have opportunities to work and grow in spaces that are “not contingent on the needs of an outside organization or business,” which will give them the time they need while making a meaningful impact on their community. They believe the business can support upwards of 24 jobs between a bookstore and café. This could be supported by used book stores which are surprisingly successful business ventures – figures they cite in their

proposal suggest that 61% of used bookstores make more than $20,000 a year in profits, with 13% of them making over $100,000. Many of the books This business venture is a great idea – but the fact that it was inspired by bookstores and cafes in other towns and cities nearby makes it that much better. In their business proposal to the town, they city Reread Books in Cheshire, Westport Book Sales in Westport, and Parsons Perks, which is a student run café in Milford’s Town Hall. With these retail spaces being successful in their own right, it was easy for Trumbull to make the decision. This past September, the town council unanimously approved the lease for this new business, which is about as no-brainer as they come. They expect that they can get into the space fairly quickly and have the store up and running by early November [this article was written prior to any confirmed opening date]. ELITE has everything CCM could want in an innovative idea. The idea was sparked by looking at what other towns were doing, it is bringing in money to the town, and it’s helping students transition to life outside of school. Trumbull and their inspirations have shown us what is truly what is possible when we say we want to make the everyday lives of every citizen better. INNOVATIVE IDEAS 2022 | 69

SOCIAL WELFARE The First Step Of Many

Coventry joins CCM on the path to equity

he work to end racism in America is an ongoing cause. Representatives from NLC REAL have told us that race is still the number one determining factor in success in this country. Connecticut towns and cities want to change that, and some, like Coventry, have begun adopting resolutions denouncing racism and pledging to do the work to move forward. For Coventry, the beginning of the work was forming the resolution, which the Town Council wrote addressing many of these issues. And while making a declaration is important, many municipalities are moving towards the actions phase of this work – what was called operationalizing in the NLC REAL programs. This is the key interchange between acknowledging that systemic racism is an ongoing concern, and that anti-racism should become the default imperative.

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In the resolution, which passed unanimously, they discuss making lasting change through actions: “Reorganization of our Human Rights Commission and expansion of their charge to include vetting town policies and investigating potentially discriminatory regulations; revision and update of our affirmative action plan; participation of key staff in specialized training; establishment of a committee to begin formal community conversations on the upcoming open choice program and other topics, and work toward implement its findings and recommendations, and whatever other activities may arise; working to address improvements in housing based on income needs through our housing rehab program; and creation of a Senior Housing Alternatives Study Committee and supporting the Planning and Zoning Commission’s creation of an Affordable Housing Plan.”

Town Manager John Elsesser said that of the training, much of it will be provided by CCM (you can read more about those workshops in the front of this issue). CCM has also put together a landing page on our website called CCM CARES: In Action that provides ideas and strategies on how to implement action items. Of course this is not an easy road to travel. All over the nation there has been push back on anti-racist measures. But sometimes we don’t do things because they are easy, but because they are hard, as President Kennedy once famously said. And as Dr. Martin Luther King said, the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice. This is a multi-operational process – one that starts with acknowledging the problem, learning and then doing. Coventry joins many other towns and cities on the path towards a future that is more equitable.

SOCIAL WELFARE This House Is Not A Motel Danbury plans revolutionary housing project

evolutionary is often used to describe products now – a revolutionary new phone or knife. But a plan to turn a motel into a permanent shelter in Danbury is being seen as a revolution in the way we support unhoused individuals. Like many plans in 2021, the kernel of the idea came out of a necessity. The Super 8 Motel in Danbury was used as a way to help keep shelters socially distanced enough during the pandemic. All across the state, shelters worked with their host municipalities to find suitable arrangements for those in need. In Danbury, that was Pacific House, which serves Western Connecticut. The organization itself was born out of necessity as a “makeshift shelter in the basement of the First Congregational Church in Stamford.” They are hopeful that with a shelter like the motel, the city of Danbury could potentially eliminate homelessness. That includes anyone in need. While many of the current tenants in the ad-hoc shelter did not hail from Danbury, there is a duty and obligation for them to help anyone in need. Quoted in a Danbury News-Times article about the purchase, Mayor Joe Cavo said “if you’re homeless, then you don’t have a home. So I don’t feel there is any regional or regionalization to homelessness.” Housing-first policies, in which those experiencing homelessness are given places to live – however temporarily – are actually more cost efficient than alternatives. In one example cited in a 2019 Vox article on similar policies, it was found that in some areas of Florida, more was being spent policing non-violent rule-breaking than it would have otherwise cost to give

Pacific House’s ribbon cutting at their newly renovated home, located in Norwalk, which will house 12 formerly homeless individuals.

each homeless individual a house and a caseworker. It is from these more permanent situations that individuals could work with organizations like Pacific House to find jobs or medical help that will help them out of the cycle of homelessness. In that New-Times article, the Mayor noted that the permanent housing is necessary primarily because of the high bar of entry right now for housing – home prices are skyrocketing, taking rents with them – and a nationwide shortage of affordable housing. According to figures cited,

there is a “five-year waiting list for affordable housing in Danbury” and some surrounding municipalities. With this hopeful project, Connecticut could build on its promise to lead the way on ending homelessness in our state. While it may be difficult and face roadblocks, it is a worthy cause. Pacific House, like so many other organizations, are helping to create a better Connecticut for everyone. The partnership with Danbury on this new endeavor, should it succeed, should go down as nothing less than revolutionary. INNOVATIVE IDEAS 2022 | 71

SOCIAL WELFARE

Can You Hear Me Now?

Stonington opens up the lines of communication with residents

he issue of how to reach people in 2021 is complicated: you have more outlets than ever, but it’s dividing up your audience into smaller and smaller segments. That’s why it’s important for towns to take stock of their communication channels. Throughout this summer, Stonington did just that. In November of 2020, the Board of Selectmen formed the Stonington Public Communication Ad Hoc Committee to work on “ways to enhance municipal communication.” The Committee, with the First Selectman and representatives from the various boards, commissions, and staff, produced the first official Communications Strategy for the town of Stonington as well as a new Stonington Communication Inventory. In a press release, they call them “living documents,” and have produced a survey for direct feedback from the community. Like all modern outlets, the town has diversified their output to include their website, social media accounts, and a quarterly magazine that is mailed to all residents. They have a baker’s dozen of social media accounts, including multiple facebook accounts across departments as well as town instagrams and youtube pages. Each account performs its own function. For instance, the Emergency Operations Facebook page lets residents know about Emergency and Disaster Information, while the Stonington Beautification Committee

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showcases that committees latest efforts. Traditional media outlets are still represented, as press releases and the aforementioned magazine still come out in physical media, and there’s even still some space for radio. Across these platforms, the communications plan is formed around a core mission, which they laid out in their Communications Strategy document: “To offer transparency in local government, by providing a diverse range of communication channels for the Stonington community. Striving to effectively communicate the work of Town departments, Boards and Commissions, and relevant community information.” And to prevent this strategy from becoming siloed, they make sure that all of the departments, board members and departments keep open lines of communication to ensure a collaborative effort. Keeping up with all the ways that people are consuming information could be a dizzying task. Who reads the newspaper? Who has an Instagram? Who watches cable tv live while it’s happening and who watches it while it is streaming? These are important questions for municipalities to understand. Here Stonington has made sure that they have a robust and diversified outreach so that each segmented audience still receives some form of communication and connectivity with the town that they are in.

TECHNOLOGY The Technology section of CT&C is sponsored by Digital BackOffice. Learn more at: www.digitalbackoffice.com

Right Down The Line

Broadband study will see if Barkhamsted has need for speed

ith more and more constraints on home internet – computers, smartphones, TVs, and even refrigerators – households are interested in the limits of their Wi-Fi networks. The next big breakthrough might be right around the corner, but serious infrastructure is needed to get there. From a press release, representatives from Sertex Broadband Solutions said they are working with officials from the Town of Barkhamsted, Connecticut, to assess community interest in and costs associated with building a municipally-owned fiber broadband network to connect and serve the entire town. The project will use SertexConnect, a planning platform that helps communities begin the complex task of building community-wide fiber networks, to conduct a customized broadband survey and develop an actionable deployment plan. The goal of the feasibility initiative is to educate residents and business owners about the opportunity for the town to invest in building an open access broadband network to give reliable, affordable high-speed internet connections to all properties. Launching in May, the Barkhamsted online survey will allow visitors to run a speed test from their home or business, then take a poll that will gauge public interest in building and subscribing to a municipally-owned fiber-to-the-home (FTTX) network. Town residents and business owners will be able to access the survey from a link on the Barkhamsted website. Concurrent with the broadband interest survey, experts from Sertex will conduct an FTTX Feasibility

Study in the town. This financial and engineering analysis will provide high-level design requirements and costs for network construction, including aerial and underground fiber pathways, pole licensing, engineering, fiber drops, equipment and installation, and annual operating and maintenance expenses. The resulting financial information will be essential for residents in deciding to approve a municipal network, and for the town in applying for funding from the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Unlike fiber internet services from private companies, municipally-owned networks ensure universal highspeed broadband connections and offer more bandwidth at lower rates. The Sertex public/private partnership model empowers communities with 100 percent ownership control over end-user costs, service levels, and operational concerns. Taxpayer-approved projects are funded through long-term, low-interest municipal bonding. Infrastructure, maintenance, and operating costs are recovered through subscriber fees. With sufficient subscribers, future-proof fiber optic networks are self-sustaining with little to no budget impact. CCM will be embarking on a similar study over the coming months in partnership with Great Blue Research to assess the interest on a statewide level. After two years of work from home for many, at the same time as the natural technological progression, households are looking into increasing their internet speeds without breaking the bank. Barkhamsted and Sertex are moving that conversation in the right direction.

Don Stein, Barkhamsted First Selectman, remarked, “The town is very excited to work with Sertex on this very important project to determine how we can bring high speed internet to Barkhamsted and the surrounding communities. In today’s world, fiber optic broadband becomes critical to those who work from home, attend school from home or who use broadband for their entertainment.” INNOVATIVE IDEAS 2022 | 73

TECHNOLOGY Why Not Ask?

Greater Groton Projects invites community discussion

here’s community engagement, and there’s community engagement - that special kind of partnership between a municipality and its people. When constituents are really heard, instead of just listened to. These relationships need some kind of platform, and the Greater Groton Project is an example of a town going the extra mile to get the public involved. Going live late last year, Groton debuted the latest in community engagement at greatergroton.com. This website is designed for the town to engage with the public on important issues. One example is the ever popular Downtown Mystic district within Groton and neighboring Stonington. Anyone who has been there during the summer knows that both traffic and parking can be a tricky situation to navigate. The website offers this explanation: Visitation to the area is at an alltime high as exciting shops and restaurants open and draw visitors from well beyond Connecticut’s borders. While we welcome both residents and visitors enjoying all that Mystic has to offer, and appreciate the support for our local businesses and nonprofits, it has placed growing pressure on the parking supply. The Towns of Groton and Stonington jointly commissioned a study to identify effective parking strategies to better manage and improve parking conditions for customers, visitors, employees and residents of Downtown Mystic. The complete study, as well as a video presentation of the findings, can be found on this page. In addition to this brief overview, they let you know exactly who your comments and ideas are going to – in this case it is the Economic and Community Development Manager

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and Economic Development Specialist. Individuals can even collaborate with each other by commenting in support of an idea or even just clicking the heart icon to say you agree. Other projects on the platform include topics like “How should Groton spend our Federal Recovery Dollars?,” “Help Beautify Groton,” “Small Business Forum,” and “Age Friendly Groton.” This is preferable to individuals commenting on Facebook, which can be notoriously finicky with showing comments from all individ-

uals and has little transparency. Quoted in an article from The Day, Lauren Post said that it is hard to correct misinformation online, so offering a platform like greatergroton.com gives constituents “transparency and the voice they deserve.” Especially during COVID, it has been important to discover new ways to keep community engagement going. While it will never replace the open forum of public meetings, towns and cities will have to continue to meet people where they are. As Post said, at lot of times that means online.

Some Assembly Required

TECHNOLOGY

By Dale Bruckhart, Digital BackOffice

ith the holiday season and the frustration of assembling gifts still fresh in mind, let’s take a look at purchasing information technology (IT) when “some assembly is required”. Public bidding is of course required by statute to ensure that our tax dollars are spent judiciously and legally. IT bid documents and specifications are prepared by business managers, purchasing agents, technology directors, consultants, attorneys or they may be a collaborative effort by all. The business terms and conditions are often standard, but the hardware and software descriptions and specifications are often quite detailed with brand, model and part numbers provided for easy pricing and response. Why do many IT bid specifications end with “Quote Installation and Configuration” and provide zero or little detailed description of the expectation, qualifications or metrics for the installation? Some requests for proposal do require the winning bidder to show proof of hardware or software resale authorization by the manufacturer or certification, but differentiating qualified IT vendors requires more than a certificate. Here are several suggestions which may improve the procurement process, separate qualified from unqualified vendors and improve the performance and reliability of your network infrastructure. Provide Logical Network Design Goals with the Bid Specifications Don’t expect the winning vendor to configure network IT infrastructure hardware such as switches, routers, firewalls, and servers unless you have provided prospective bidders with the logical network design objectives and the IP addressing scheme as a component of the equipment specifications. Without the details on what’s expected of the winning bidder the vendor will often assign a junior, less experienced engineer to a job to lower the cost of labor. That means on the job training for the assigned technician, potential cost overruns or worse. If the existing or new logical network design does not accommodate the new network hardware, legacy network hardware, applications or address concerns about security and growth, the installation of network components may result in complete network failure or recurring network problems. Bid specifications should provide bidders with the logical network design details and implementation plan parameters for minimizing network downtime and recovering from a potential network failure. Better yet, contract for the logical network design separately or engage a qualified consultant or managed service provider to review the logical network plan, IP addressing scheme and the implementation plan.

Dale Bruckhart shared his expertise with atendees at CCM’s 2021 Convention

What does “installation” mean? Equipment installation may include some or all of the following but don’t assume that the bidder knows what you expect or need, so spell it out. The last item is critical to every installation and should be required on every IT bid request. If the engineer/vendor leaves your site without providing this information you may be locked out of accessing the equipment in the future to make changes. • Remove equipment from packaging and mount in existing cabinet, rack or shelf. • Provide aforesaid cabinet, rack or shelf. • Assemble optional modules, power supplies, or interfaces on the equipment • Configuring equipment with a name and IP address provided by buyer • Connecting patch cords between equipment and data cabling infrastructure. • Connecting equipment power supplies to buyer provided power source preferably an uninterruptible power supply (UPS). • Loading or updating the Operating System on the equipment • Configuring the equipment according to the aforementioned logical network design and acceptance plan. • Removing and/or disposing of obsolete equipment. • Pre-staging and/or burn-in of equipment on the bench or off-site. • Project acceptance and as-built documentation to include a network diagram, IP addresses, OS verINNOVATIVE IDEAS 2022 | 75

TECHNOLOGY sion, passwords, serial numbers, current equipment configuration, start-up test results, warranty status, technical contact and business contact information. On large, complex projects a project manager may be needed to coordinate the installation with the owner’s representative, the technology department, tradesman, the internet service provider, etc. Don’t assume a project manager is included with every installation.

Administrators can expect infrequent network service interruptions, because IT infrastructure is complex, susceptible to power outages, equipment failure, human error and external network factors. Setting a network service level goal and response time expectation raises the bar for employees, budgets and vendors. Managed service providers may own and lease back some portion of the network infrastructure including equipment, technical support, logical network/security administration, and refresh the network components every 60 months with an SLA. Managed network infrastructure services will alter IT budgeting and procurement practices as the IT industry moves towards managed/cloud services and longer term agreements.

Is the equipment manufacturer or the bidder going to support the IT infrastructure installation and/or the post-installation? Equipment manufacturers provide warranties ranging from 90 days to lifetime, and maintenance contracts with a variety of coverage options and prices. The project contract and acceptance, however, is often between the buyer and the systems integrator or equipment reseller. In fact, the manufacturer may not support equipment that has been improperly configured, installed unsafely or in a manner which conflicts with industry protocols and standards. When a network is made up of components from multiple manufacturers, finger pointing between vendors may exacerbate network installation problems and potential failures. A detailed acceptance plan needs to be included with the bid specifications to ensure that the network is working properly and that equipment has been installed according to the logical network design and the manufacturer or industry best practices. The acceptance plan should spell out the process for testing every device, application and operating system with the new network equipment preferably in a manner which will not affect the production environment. Look for experience, depth, references and consider managed services.

Equipment resellers are not managed IT service providers. Managed IT service providers add value with experienced employees and trouble-shooting processes, network operation facilities to support your service level goal 24x7, network management software tools and the ability to manage the logical network infrastructure remotely as well as on-site. If you have any doubt about a vendor’s claims, check out the references, visit the vendor’s network operations center or request a SOC report. Choosing the right vendor to install, configure and manage your network infrastructure is critical to the delivery of 21st century electronic communications. Providing detailed installation and configuration requirements in bid specifications will significantly improve the quality of IT services and ultimately network infrastructure performance. Dale Bruckhart is Vice President for Public Sector Sales & Marketing, Advanced Corporate Networking, d.b.a, Digital BackOffice. He can be reached at 203-874-5545 Ext. 118 or by email at daleb@digitalbackoffice.com. Visit the website at www.digitalbackoffice.com

With miles of responsibility... only the testing should be random

Complete, Cost Effective, and Convenient! The Drug & Alcohol Testing Consortium, a program of the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities, offers many benefits to your municipality.

Comprehensive Coverage Covers all testing associated with DOT regulations, plus the services of a medical review officer, substance abuse professional, training, record keeping, and more. For more information contact Beth Scanlon, (203)946-3782 | bscanlon@ccm-ct.org. 76 | INNOVATIVE IDEAS 2022

TECHNOLOGY May I See Your iPhone And Registration? Apple and CT partner for future of digital IDs

o many technologies have been adopted across the past two years in response to COVID that it would be difficult to name them all. One big change has been the move towards contactless transactions and digital passes – enabled largely through smartphones. The final frontier will be when our identification cards will be stored digitally. Connecticut is part of a pilot program that’s going to look at state IDs and Driver’s Licenses with computer magnate Apple. Announced in September of this year, the California-based company

said that they have been working on technology to securely add digital forms of identification such as state IDs or driver’s licenses to their Wallet. This is Apple’s name for an application on their iPhone which allows customers to store things like credit cards, travel or event tickets, or even store loyalty cards. While Arizona and Georgia will be the first two states to implement this program, Connecticut will follow close behind in providing digital IDs. Importantly, they have already announced partners at the federal level such as the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), who will allow the use of the IDs at airport security checkpoints. At first it will not be all airports, and those participating locations will be announced at a later time. “The addition of driver’s licenses and state IDs to Apple Wallet is an important step in our vision of replacing the physical wallet with a secure and easy-to-use mobile wallet,” said Jennifer Bailey, Apple’s vice president of Apple Pay and Apple Wallet said in a press release. “We are excited that the TSA and so many states are already on

board to help bring this to life for travelers across the country using only their iPhone and Apple Watch, and we are already in discussions with many more states as we’re working to offer this nationwide in the future.” Adding IDs to phones will be sure to raise eyebrows, but for years now, and especially through COVID, people have been increasingly adopting the Wallet to make contactless payments. Like credit cards, people will add their ID to their iPhone. Per the release, the customer will then be asked to use their iPhone to scan their physical driver’s license or state ID card and take a selfie, which will be securely provided to the issuing state for verification. As an additional security step, users will also be prompted to complete a series of facial and head movements during the setup process. Crucially, the ID will only be added to the Wallet once it was verified by the issuing state. A full suite of digital protections were announced that allow the whole process to work as with the credit cards. While this kind of sea change will not take place over night, it is an important reminder that technologies like contactless payment and QR codes became key platforms during the pandemic after years of availability. And unlike credit cards, digital IDs have implications in many municipal processes and exchanges. One could imagine in the future a time when a police officer asks for license and registration and a person pulls out their phone. Buying a bottle of wine, your id could be checked with the same scanner as your credit card. Getting married, applying for fishing licenses, and all sorts of other instances. It isn’t so much a brave new world but an eventuality.

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TECHNOLOGY No More Telephone Lines

Plainville’s Fiber Optic network will be almost as fast as light

nybody who remembers Dial-Up Internet remembers two things – that awful tone and the incredibly slow speeds. In the 30 years since, speeds have improved thanks to upgrades like Fiber Optic Cables, which the town of Plainville is installing throughout their municipal network. Unlike dial-up or cable networks that use metal wires to transmit electric signals, Fiber Optic cables are made up of very fragile glass filaments that transfer light signals – yes, there is a difference – reaching up to 70% of the speed of light. These cables are so fast that when maxing out networks, they can reach into the Terabytes per second download speed – with extremetech.com saying that the fastest ever network was able to reach speeds where a 1gb movie took .03 milliseconds to download. While these speeds were reached in an experimental setting, the speeds for the average fiber optic network are more than enough for your average end-user. The first step to acquiring a Fiber Optic Network is installation of the wires, which was handled by Sertex Broadband Solutions for Plainville. According to their press release, they put in “12.5 miles of aerial cabling and three underground spans running beneath major highways.” This newly constructed system will connect: all waste-water treatment facilities, allowing remote system monitoring and control; all schools; all public safety services; the library; and all town departments within and outside of the Municipal Center. Plainville will own the fiber optic infrastructure rather than leasing it, saving approximately $40k per year in costs according to Town Manager Robert Lee. The lifespan of these cables is 25 to 30 years.

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Furthermore, because the town will own the system, it will have the option to open up that infrastructure beyond the municipal network. “A town-owned broadband network would mean that residents would pay a much lower fee for much better internet service combined with phone services,” Lee said in the release. “Our residents and businesses would save money and actually have control over their network. High-speed internet access has so many advantages. It could reduce costs and improve quality of life for current residents,

increase property values, and help us compete as a community for new businesses and residents.” Just a few years ago, having normal speed internet was fine for most people. Now, and especially after COVID, people need better, higher-quality networks for internet service. So for now, town employees and departments can throw away their old modulator-demodulators (or modems in layman’s terms) and work at (nearly) the speed of light.

TECHNOLOGY Cyber Security With A SOC By: Dale Bruckhart, V.P. Public Sector Marketing, Digital BackOffice

yber Security Operations Centers (SOC) and the employees that staff these centers are often integrated with law enforcement departments, multinational companies and federal agencies. Municipalities employ emergency management personnel and prepare emergency operations centers for weather related and natural disasters but not cyber-security. Public sector agencies and K-12 schools rarely designate a Chief Information Security Officer or staff a full-time cyber security operations center, but they should! School board and town/city council officials need to acknowledge that cybersecurity requires a top down approach and should not be delegated to the technology director/ department without guidance, policy guidelines, accountability and adequate funding. School superintendents, First Selectman and Mayors don’t want their names or their schools or towns in a headline story about the latest cyber breach or ransomware attack. Taxpayers, insurance underwriters and auditors will increasingly demand greater accountability for securing assets, protecting personally identifiable information and guaranteeing the service levels of public digital infrastructure.

Why you need a SOC! The cyber threat crisis is real, but despite the warning signs, many schools and government agencies have no cybersecurity strategy in place. It took mass public shootings to prompt board level policy reviews and investment in securing physical access to our school buildings and public facilities. Designating a Chief Information Security Officer and a security operations team is a long overdue response to the reality of digital pedagogy, web-based delivery of public services and cyber threats.

A physical or virtual SOC may be integrated with current technology, facilities, operations, curriculum or other current personnel. SOC’s may also be shared between schools and municipalities with representation from the first responder community; SOC’s should be automated and/or outsourced for faster response. While current business and technology personnel are the logical candidates for CISO, key SOC personnel must be equal members of the school or town leadership team.

Silos of Data Competing firewall, antivirus, intrusion detection, internet filtering, SIEM, 2FA and other security products create silos of complex, uncorrelated data. Detecting potential threats in this hodgepodge of data is the proverbial “needle in a haystack” often resulting in a sea of false alarms or false positives. By some estimates there are more than 3,000 security product companies, and many “are a feature not a firm. They solve one narrow problem and really should be part of a platform offering a mutually supporting mesh of integrated security products.” See Note 1

Migrate Now to a Next Generation Security Platform Todays’ attackers don’t just target email accounts or endpoint devices, they use stealth techniques and sophisticated tools to move laterally across networks and organizational units in order to exfiltrate valuable data or compromise network operations. New defensive and automated security platforms are increasingly available incorporating artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML). Unlike legacy firewall, antivirus or intrusion detection systems which rely on port blocking or blacklisting known

malware, Next Generation security systems using AI/ML, ask “is it really you” and is the user trying to do something they have never been done before. In other words, is the user behavior normal or does it warrant investigation.

A Skills Gap One of the key challenges facing our K-12 schools and municipalities is a shortage of trained security analysts and a growing IT skills gap, especially, cyber security skills. According to a recent Global Information Security Workforce Study, the cybersecurity workforce gap is expected to reach 1.5 million by 2020, with 66% of the respondents across all industry categories, report not having enough workers to address current and future cyber threats.

Consider Managed Security Services The leadership team in your school or town may choose to staff and manage a SOC locally or contract with a Managed Security Services Provider (MSSP) for a fixed monthly fee. Managed security service providers provide continuity with experienced employees, audited process controls, 24 x7 network operation facilities, software tools and the ability to monitor and manage the logical network infrastructure remotely as well as on-site. The MSSP can reduce the time, cost and complexity of event triage, incident investigation, response and minimizing false positives. INNOVATIVE IDEAS 2022 | 79

Innovative Ideas for Managing Local Government - 2022

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