Grant to pay for regional animal control study

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HARTFORD — The Council of Governments of the Central Naugatuck Valley recently received a state efficiency incentive grant to study the cost-saving potential for creating and operating a regional animal control operation.

State Sen. Joseph Crisco (D-17), who welcomed news of the grant in a press release, said the $44,500 grant is from the state’s new Regional Performance Incentive Program, to be administered by the state Office of Policy and Management.

“I know first-hand how the animal control operations in several of my 17th District towns have been in flux these past couple years for a variety of reasons so I’m delighted with news of this grant to help Naugatuck Valley communities explore potential long-term solutions to the matter,” Crisco said. “The unpredictable demands of an animal control operation require adequate facilities to humanely feed, shelter, exercise, and treat any variety of species, and house its administrative functions as well, and if all this can be done more efficiently on a regional basis we have to seriously explore and consider it.”

Crisco said this grant is one of 20 awarded statewide totaling more than $8.6 million to planning organizations and economic development districts responsible for providing regionalized services.

COGCNV is a forum for chief elected officials to discuss issues of common concern and to develop programs to address them on a regional level. The organization covers 13 area towns, including Naugatuck, Beacon Falls, and Prospect.

“Making local government more efficient will help lower costs and save property tax dollars,” said Gov. Dannel Malloy, while announcing the grants, according to the release. These grants are an investment in less expensive government. Using improved technology to reduce costs and taking a collaborative approach to providing local services meets the needs of residents in a smarter way.”

Crisco added his district will also benefit from a $54,581 grant to the South Central Connecticut Regional Council of Governments to study additional efficiencies for member municipalities.