October 21, 2014

GOV. MALLOY ANNOUNCES STATE GRANTS TO IMPROVE REGIONAL EFFICIENCY AND HELP MUNICIPALITIES CUT COSTS

(HARTFORD, CT) - Governor Dannel P. Malloy today announced that seven grants totaling $1.25 million are being awarded to regional planning councils and their municipalities under the state's Regional Performance Incentive Program with the goal of improving regional efficiency and helping municipalities cut costs.

The program, administered by the Office of Policy and Management, provides grants to regional councils of governments, economic development districts or groups of two or more municipalities that coordinate functions and services on a regional basis.

"Regional cooperation makes government more efficient, lowers costs and ultimately saves taxpayer dollars," Governor Malloy said. "The communities involved have come together to coordinate and plan efforts that will benefit their communities without driving up property taxes. These are examples of collaborations that provide local services to meet the needs of residents in a smarter, more efficient and less expensive way."

The grants awarded are:

Capitol Region Council of Governments - Regional Data Center ($282,400)
Funds will be used to purchase and install the necessary equipment (e.g., servers, storage, etc.) for demonstration projects provided in Section 229 of Public Act 14-217, consisting initially of Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP), Streaming Video and Network Hosting Services.

Northeastern CT Council of Governments - Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Enhancement Study ($81,750)
This study will provide a comprehensive analysis of the 16-town region's current pre-hospital emergency care system and an evaluation of alternatives to the current delivery system and other possible enhancements to patient care.

Northeastern CT Council of Governments - Regional Cat Trap/Neuter/Release Program ($174,895)
Implementation of this program will help control the number of feral and roaming domestic cats.

Northwest Hills Council of Governments - Regional Economic Development Services ($249,000)
Funds will provide for a shared economic development consultant over a two-year period to implement village center vitality initiatives in eight small Northwest Connecticut towns-Canaan, Cornwall, Goshen, Kent, North Canaan, Norfolk, Salisbury, and Sharon. Such initiatives will focus on supporting existing businesses, creating jobs and filling vacant commercial spaces.

Northwest Hills Council of Governments - Cooperative Purchase of Mobile Material Screeners ($275,000)
Funds will be used to purchase two mobile material screeners for cooperative use by any of the region's 20-towns, so local public works departments can more efficiently process, store, dispose, or re-use earth materials collected from road maintenance scrapings, street weeping, ditching work, sand and gravel processing, millings and roadside shoulder work. Proceeds from equipment rental fees will be used to establish a maintenance, administration and capital replacement fund.

Scotland, Hampton & Chaplin - Regional School System Study ($36,750)
A regional school system analysis will be conducted to determine the extent to which shared purchasing, staffing, transportation and facility utilization can lead to improvements in efficiency, quality of education, and cost reductions.

Southeastern CT Council of Governments - Study and Plan for Regional Shared Services ($150,000)
This study would examine the current activities of the region's 19 towns, develop a comprehensive plan and model for regional shared services, staff and equipment, and identify potential cost savings that could result from implementing the plan.

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For Immediate Release: October 21, 2014

Facebook: Office of Governor Dannel P. Malloy