Meet our new staff + get to know Fred Presley, Wethersfield’s town manager

September 7, 2022 | Issue 17

The CRCOG Connection

Join us on social media

CRCOG on LinkedIn | CRCOG on Twitter | CRCOG on Facebook

Welcome back readers. It’s back-to-school season. If your kids went back to school, we wish you a productive and safe school year.

This newsletter is 1127 words, approximately a 5.5-minute read. In this issue you’ll:

Meet new faces at CRCOG
Get to know Fred Presley, Wethersfield’s Town Manager
Learn about IIJA funding opportunities
And more

ICYMI

Tomorrow, Thursday, September 8 we’ll host the second cybersecurity webinar “Cybersafety 101: Awareness, detection, and response or chief elected officials and administrators.” Learn about need-to-know best practices in cybersecurity policies and procedures. Reach out to Aaliyah Miller if you would like to join the webinar.
The Affordable Connectivity Program is a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) benefit program that helps ensure that households can afford the broadband they need for work, school, healthcare and more. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers if they contribute more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price.
hARTford Love Initiative Brings Original Art to Upper Albany, Clay Arsenal Neighborhoods

Meet our new faces at CRCOG

It’s an exciting time to be at CRCOG. We have a few new faces and are thrilled to introduce you to Elizabeth Sanderson, Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) Coordinator and Principal Program Manager, Kyle Shiel, Principal Planner, and our intern Anthony Diaz.

As CRCOG’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) Coordinator and Principal Program Manager, Elizabeth is pleased to use her experience as an American Institute Certified Planner, Connecticut Professional Landscape Architect, and Zoning Enforcement Officer to implement regional plans that will bring meaningful, sustainable, and equitable change to the Capitol Region. Elizabeth lives in rural Connecticut with her husband and dog, where they enjoy walks in the woods and trips to the region’s best lakes and beaches.

Before joining CRCOG, Kyle was the Senior Planner for Comprehensive Planning & Special Projects for the Town of Manchester. He worked on redevelopment projects, housing, economic development, parks & recreation master planning, land acquisition, and other initiatives. He serves on Connecticut Chapter of the American Planning Association (CCAPA’s) Government Relations Committee, and his writing has appeared in publications for HUD and the American Planning Association. He’s originally from Upstate New York and hopes to someday play drums like Stewart Copeland.

Anthony is completing the second and final year of his Master's in Public Administration program at the University of Connecticut. Before his MPA enrollment, he completed a B.A. in Psychological Sciences at UConn. He is currently studying Urban Planning within his MPA program and will be working within CRCOG’s Planning Department for the duration of the school year.

Get to know Fred Presley, Wethersfield’s town manager

Fred Presley is the Town Manager for the town of Wethersfield. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Resource Development from the University of Rhode Island and a master’s degree in Public Administration from Norwich University in Vermont. In addition, Fred is a credentialed Manager with the International City/County Management Association and a graduate of the University of Virginia Senior Executive Institute.

He began his role on May 9, 2022. Before this role, he was a county administrator for Stafford County, Virginia and served as Town Manager in West Warwick, RI.

Q: What are some key projects you will focus on?

A: I’m focusing on creating opportunities to diversify our tax base through economic development, and redevelopment will be an initial focus. I also want to work on creating more pedestrian and bike connections between our neighborhoods and the Old Wethersfield historic district.

Q: What is one characteristic that you believe every leader should possess?

A: Critical and Complex Thinking: We live in a time of massive exponential change occurring in all areas. Leaders must recognize these changes, navigate the disruptions and seize the opportunities that they may create.

Q: Who’s your favorite band?

A: So many… all time, I would have to say the Beatles.

Q: Outside work, what do you like to do for fun?

A: I enjoy hiking, kayaking, trail running (jogging, really), and playing guitar.

IIJA funding opportunities for our member towns

The historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) allocated $1.2 trillion under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) to improve infrastructure, generate good-paying jobs, confront the climate crisis, grow the economy equitably, and create a transportation system that works for every American. Connecticut’s share is estimated to be $6.04 billion delivered in Fiscal Years 2022-2026 through a mix of funding opportunities.

CRCOG is assisting member towns with planning and implementing infrastructure and other eligible projects that will optimize the historic funding opportunity.

Over the past few weeks, CRCOG staff has been collaborating with five towns on a joint application for the U.S. Department of Transportation Safe Streets and Roads for All Discretionary Grant Program (SS4A), which is due on September 15. CRCOG staff have also been working with towns and others related to additional federal programs and Notices of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs), including the 2022 Bridge Investment Program (applications due September 8), Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure (applications due September 30), upcoming Thriving Communities Initiative, and Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program (applications due October 13).

Visit our new webpage for more information about BIL/IIJA Funding Opportunities.

Save the date for the Public Service Executive Leadership Collaborative workshop opportunity

As a partner organization of UConn’s Public Service Executive Leadership Collaborative (PSELC), members of the Capitol Regional Council of Governments and their employees receive a substantial discount to attend these workshops with public sector and nonprofit professionals.

The in-person PSELC session kicks off on Friday, September 30, 2022, with Putting Your Data to Work: Using Results-Based Accountability to Improve Service and Outcomes. Anne McIntyre-Lahner, Author of “Stop Spinning Your Wheels: Using Results-Based Accountability to Steer Your Agency to Success,” will lead the live workshop held at the UConn Hartford Campus from 9 am to 4 pm with a 30-minute break.

Please see the full schedule of offerings and register at Public Service Executive Leadership Collaborative.

Note: Face masks are strongly recommended in the classroom but not required.