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CRCOG outlines shared-service options to Granby officials
Summary
The Capital Region Council of Governments told Granby selectmen it can offer cooperative purchasing, IT and permitting services, and regional GIS and emergency-management support; town staff said Granby already participates in several shared arrangements and is pursuing a regional HR grant with East Granby.
Matt Hart, executive director of the Capital Region Council of Governments, presented an overview of CRCOG’s regional services and told the Town of Granby Board of Selectmen on June 15 that the council serves 38 municipalities and nearly one million residents.
Hart described four primary service areas — transportation planning, public safety and emergency management, regional planning and economic development, and municipal services — and emphasized potential benefits of shared services such as higher service levels, cost savings and access to specialized expertise. Pauline Yoder, CRCOG chief operating officer, reviewed municipal service programs including cooperative purchasing, IT services, online permitting solutions and regional GIS resources.
Town Manager Michael P. Walsh outlined Granby’s existing shared-service arrangements, including a shared school resource officer program with the school district, shared IT services governed by a memorandum of understanding, wastewater processing through the Simsbury Water Pollution Control Authority, mutual aid for dispatch and radio services, participation in the Farmington Valley Health District, and cooperative purchasing through CRCOG. Walsh also described shared functions with neighboring towns for building official and animal control services.
Walsh said Granby and East Granby have submitted a Regional Performance Incentive Program grant to support a shared Human Resources arrangement in which Granby’s HR director would provide services to East Granby one day per week, with grant funding to help implementation. No formal decisions were required at the meeting; selectmen asked staff to continue evaluating options and report back.
The board’s discussion focused on potential efficiencies and the practical steps needed to expand shared services, including staffing and grant support. The board did not vote on any CRCOG-related agreements at the meeting.
