Christine, an environmental planning staff member at NVCOG, briefed the board Sept. 11 on a consultant study and the waste committee recommendation to plan for a regional waste authority (RWA). The board voted to adopt resolution 2601 to move into the next phase of planning.

Why it matters: The study and staff recommendation say a regional waste authority could achieve economies of scale, lower average tipping fees for participating Connecticut municipalities and provide a vehicle to site and manage regional infrastructure and programs such as food-waste processing or shared recycling services.

What the board heard and decided:
- The Tetra Tech–prepared study and NVCOG’s waste committee recommended planning to form an RWA; staff told the board that forming an RWA would not automatically obligate any municipality to participate or conflict with existing regional bodies.
- Christine said forming an RWA would unlock DEEP planning funds for start-up and would require further municipal deliberations about structure, fees and opt-in choices.
- The board adopted resolution 2601 to begin planning. Mayor Caggiano moved the motion and a representative from Middlebury seconded; members voted in favor and the motion carried.

Clarifications offered in the discussion included how many members are likely needed to achieve funding and scale: the study recommended about 11 municipalities overall, while staff said DEEP could unlock additional funding if six municipalities joined by a target date next summer.

Ending: NVCOG staff said the next steps will include drafting municipal ordinance templates and continued conversations with CEOs and municipal staff about possible early adopters, program structure and timeline for start-up planning.