Western Connecticut Council of Governments is out with its 2021 Annual Report. WestCOG conducted a Regional Public Safety Study to evaluate options for the sharing of public safety facilities in five municipalities.  The study looked at shared services in Ridgefield, Redding, Wilton, Weston and New Canaan. 

A follow-up plan was commissioned to provide implementation guidance for one or more regional firing ranges. Based on regional interest, the geographic scope was expanded to include all WestCOG member towns.  The plan draws on discussions with police departments and addresses indoor and outdoor ranges, types of firearms, types of applications with firearms.

The plan is set for release by the end of the month. 

Included in the report was details of the Regional Data Collection Program.  WestCOG has three trail counting infrared devices and a processing application. Staff has been providing ongoing assistance at the Fairfield Hills Trail in Newtown since February 2020. Assistance includes data collection and analysis for use in future applications for funding and studies that would improve the heavily used trail. The trail counters were also used to monitor trail usage at select parks around the region and can be requested for specific studies by municipalities.