Processing Your Payment

Please do not leave this page until complete. This can take a few moments.

June 11, 2021

CCM wants voluntary regionalization incentives, outdoor dining protections in special session

Photo | CT Mirror The state Capitol.
By Zachary Vasile

The Connecticut Conference of Municipalities this week released a glowing endorsement of the work of Gov. Ned Lamont and lawmakers over the course of the now-closed legislative session, reserving particular praise for increases in state aid to towns and cities that officials said will help restrain property taxes for residents and businesses.

CCM, which represents the interests of 168 member municipalities, highlighted provisions in the newly-passed, $46.4 billion budget that would increase state aid by $191 million in the next fiscal year and by $237 million in the fiscal year after that. That money is separate from the $1.5 billion in state bonding funds expected to be disbursed to the most distressed communities in Connecticut over the next five years, a measure the group called a “true lifeline” for recipient towns and cities.

The organization also applauded updates to the state’s bottle bill, commitments to increase access to broadband internet access, an agreement by the state to examine a take-back program for hazardous firefighting foam and additional payments to the teachers’ and state employees’ retirement funds, among other items.

CCM is recommending the addition of other reforms to the budget implementer bill, including provisions incentivizing voluntary regionalization efforts, modernizing town proceedings and preserving outdoor dining, which became a critical revenue generator for restaurants at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

HB 6655, which was passed by the House, would limit property tax increases and make grants available to communities that agree to share services such as education, firefighting and policing. HB 6448 would require municipalities to step up investments in technology, such as equipment to record and broadcast town meetings, and allow for some aspects of town business to be conducted through electronic means.

The latter bill also streamlines the process for restaurants to secure permission to set up outdoor dining.

CCM officials also called on the legislature to collaborate with towns and cities in the allocation of funding from the federal American Rescue Plan, urging support for “initiatives that have common interests between the state and municipalities.”

Sign up for Enews

Most Recent

Most Recent

0 Comments

Order a PDF