The Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments’ transportation planning staff asked the board to endorse regional safety performance targets developed using the same statistical methodology as Connecticut but tailored to the CNV MPO region.

Rich Donovan, director of transportation planning, said the MPO set its own target for calendar year 2026 and recommended adoption of CNV MPO Resolution 26‑02. "We are anticipating in 2026 the 15 towns will see 35 fatalities," he said, explaining the forecast and a linear reduction methodology toward a Vision Zero goal.

Board members asked about federal consequences for missing targets. Donovan said there are no direct monetary penalties on MPOs, but a failure to meet targets can reduce flexibility in how federal highway safety dollars are used: "The federal ramification ... is that highway safety specific dollars cannot be flexed into other programs," he said.

After discussion, a motion to endorse the regional safety targets was moved, seconded and carried unanimously.

Donovan then reviewed a set of Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) amendments and associated CTDOT projects — resurfacing on Route 72, a New Mix interchange breakout in Waterbury, bridge rehabilitation on Route 8 corridors, a New Haven Line track program, and four platform/ station projects in Ansonia, Seymour, Beacon Falls and Waterbury. He recommended adoption of CNV MPO Resolution 26‑03 endorsing the amendments. Members confirmed construction remains scheduled to begin in spring 2026 and that final designs incorporate prior comments.

The board moved, seconded and unanimously adopted the TIP amendment package.

The votes put the MPO on record with regionally tailored safety targets and cleared the slate of federal funding amendments and station platform projects so they may proceed into construction phases and eligibility for federal assistance.