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NECCOG executive director reports ridership rebound, Plainfield route permanence and crumbling foundations progress
Summary
Executive Director John Filchak reported improving fixed-route ridership, a permanent Plainfield Pilot with CONNDOT funding, lower elderly/disabled ridership, 342 July paramedic transports (219 paid by towns) and CFSIC activity restoring 600 households with a projection of 1,000 in 18 months.
John Filchak, NECCOG executive director, presented the council with service and program updates at the Sept. 23 special meeting.
Filchak said ridership on NECTD’s deviated and fixed routes was trending upward but elderly and disabled service remained well below pre-pandemic levels because many users had found reliable alternative rides and delivery services. He announced that the Plainfield Pilot will become a permanent route and said CONNDOT had incorporated the route into NECTD’s funding.
On animal services, Filchak reported an increase in investigations and farm-animal seizures and rising holding costs for feed, boarding and veterinary care; he said courts have been routinely waiving holding fees in some cases because of recent economic hardship and noted a recent break-in at the Norwich shelter, where the Norwich Police Department apprehended those responsible and returned a stolen dog.
Filchak also reported on emergency medical services, saying July transports numbered 342 and that local municipalities paid for 219 of those transports. On housing, he said CFSIC efforts have restored foundations for about 600 families and that the program is expected to reach roughly 1,000 homes in the next 18 months.
Filchak reminded towns to complete the questionnaire identifying their designated ADA director by Sept. 30 and noted a Sept. 30 public hearing on the State Rail Plan. He reported that the region had received $31.3 million in STEAP grants and that the DEEP Climate Resilience Fund can support up to $250,000 in resilience planning.
