Christine presented Resolution 26-04 asking NVCOG to endorse staff applying to the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CTDEEP) Climate Resilience Fund to continue design and permitting work for culvert and drainage upgrades at nine regional sites. Christine summarized earlier work funded in 2023 that produced preliminary designs and asked the board to empower the executive director to sign application documents.

"At this point, we'll ask you that the board endorses resolution 26 dash o 4, which empowers the executive director to sign all documents associated with applying for this grant," Christine said.

Members moved and seconded the endorsement; the board approved the resolution by voice vote.

Staff also presented an item recommending exercise of two one-year renewal options (2026 and 2027) in NVCOG's contract with the household hazardous-waste vendor MXI under the current fee schedule. Meeting materials and staff remarks explained the regional HHW program serves 15 municipalities and that the renewal would not add commitments for participating municipalities. The board moved, seconded and approved the contract renewal by voice vote.

In a separate update, staff recapped a regional Brownfields Partnership meeting and noted the availability of revolving loan fund subgrants (up to $500,000) and loans (up to $1,000,000) for municipalities, nonprofits and private entities; staff announced a successful $200,000 DECD award for a site (address read during the meeting) and invited municipalities to reach out for technical assistance and grant support.

The board approved the climate-resilience grant endorsement and HHW contract renewal; staff said eligible municipalities will receive follow-up and that more detailed project and grant materials are available in the meeting packet.