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WestCOG approves climate resilience and EPA grant applications, engineering agreements and endorses CTDOT safety targets; TIP amendment passes with one dissent
Summary
At its Dec. 18, 2025 meeting, the Western Connecticut Council of Governments approved applications for the DEEP Climate Resilience Fund and an EPA community-wide assessment grant, authorized task-based engineering agreements, and endorsed CTDOT safety performance targets; a set of TIP amendments passed with Bethel First Selectman Dan Carter recorded as opposed.
The Western Connecticut Council of Governments approved multiple grant applications and administrative agreements and endorsed state safety targets at its Dec. 18, 2025 meeting in Ridgefield.
WestCOG Project Manager Jaci Giannini presented the DEEP Climate Resilience Fund application and the EPA Community-wide Assessment Grant application; the council voted to approve both applications. The body also approved a set of task-based engineering agreements following an overview by WestCOG Program Director Kevin Mahoney.
The council voted unanimously to approve the November 2025 WestCOG/MPO meeting minutes. Darien First Selectman Jon Zagrodzky moved the minutes and Redding First Selectwoman Julia Pemberton seconded the motion.
The Housatonic Valley MPO endorsed Connecticut Department of Transportation-established targets for 2025 safety performance measures. Associate Planner Amal Malik presented the resolution (2025-12-18 #01); Sherman First Selectman Don Lowe moved the endorsement and Bethel First Selectman Dan Carter seconded. The HVMPO recorded the endorsement as approved.
Amal Malik also presented proposed amendments to the FY25–FY28 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). The TIP amendments were approved, with Bethel First Selectman Dan Carter recorded as opposed. Meeting minutes note that SWRMPO did not have quorum and that some SWRMPO items will be carried to the January agenda.
WestCOG Executive Director Francis Pickering reviewed several information items for members, including a Jan. 29 legislative reception and agenda, a planning consultant pre-selection process, and an update on a regional waste study. Senior Planner Tucker Beckett briefed members on P.A. 25-33 bridge/culvert mapping assistance. Deputy Director Mike Towle introduced new WestCOG staff: Data Scientists Sagnik Chand and Eddie Provitz, and Assistant Planner Garrett Reed.
Nominating committee members were volunteered and appointed: Redding First Selectwoman Julia Pemberton, Bethel First Selectman Dan Carter, and Darien First Selectman Jon Zagrodzky volunteered to serve; the committee appointment was approved on a motion by Brookfield First Selectman Steve Dunn and seconded by New Fairfield First Selectman Pat Del Monaco.
The meeting was adjourned at 1:47 p.m. The council noted two upcoming events: a special meeting on Jan. 8, 2026 at 9:00 a.m., and the COG/MPO legislative reception on Jan. 29, 2026 at noon.
