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NECCOG director reports favorable Woodstock animal-control ruling, staffing strains and transit talks
Summary
The NECCOG Director said a Woodstock animal-control ruling awarded custody and expenses for roughly 100 animals but is under appeal; staff are managing nearly 140 animals with 12 employees. The Director also reported productive CT DOT transit meetings and appointments of two regional town administrators.
The NECCOG Director reported a favorable ruling in a major Woodstock animal-control case that awarded custody of animals to local authorities and a monetary award to cover care for about 100 animals, but noted the defendant has filed an appeal and a hearing is set for March 3. The Director said staff are operating with roughly 12 animal-control employees caring for nearly 140 animals and have placed about 20 dogs with foster providers. Additional cameras have been installed in Norwich and staff are preparing to purchase body cameras and protective vests for animal-control officers.
On transit matters, the Director summarized recent engagements: a January meeting with SEAT, a December meeting with WRTD, and an early-February visit from the Connecticut Department of Transportation Transportation Bureau Chief and senior bus transportation and capital staff. Officials discussed the building, fleet and micro-transit options; NECCOG said it is evaluating several fleet-management and vehicle-tracking platforms.
The Director also announced appointments of two Regional Town Administrators: Mary Calorio and Jordan Lumpkins. Both will serve the first three towns (Canterbury, Pomfret and Chaplin); Calorio will provide transit support and Lumpkins will assist in grants and economic development for NECCOG towns.
Next steps: the Woodstock appeal hearing is scheduled for March 3, and staff will continue to evaluate transit platforms and implement initial support from the newly appointed administrators.
