Crisco says grant to help Valley study animal control

State Sen. Joseph J. Crisco, Jr., D-Woodbridge, today welcomed news of a state efficiency incentive grant for the Council of Governments of the Central Naugatuck Valley to study the cost-saving potential for creating and operating a regional animal control operation.

Crisco 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 17^th 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.

“Making local government more efficient will help lower costs and save property tax dollars,” said Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, while announcing the grants. "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 said 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.

This is taken from a release from Crisco's office. 

Lawmaker lauds Seymour student's achievement

State Sen. Rob Kane is photographed with Seymour High School student Stephanie Orts, who was named one of 44 Connecticut Leaders and Achievers recipients by the Comcast Foundation. / Contributed photo

At a May 1 event at the State Capitol, state Sen. Rob Kane, R-Watertown, honored Seymour High School student Stephanie Orts, who has been named one of 44 Connecticut Leaders and Achievers recipients by the Comcast Foundation.

Orts received a $1,000 scholarship from Comcast in recognition of her leadership skills, academic achievement and commitment to community service.

“We are very proud of what Stephanie has accomplished through a lot of hard work and the desire to make a positive difference in her community,” Kane said.  “This award recognizes Stephanie for being among the brightest young minds in our state. She deserves it, and her success is a reflection of the excellent support and guidance she has received along the way from her teachers, friends and family.  Stephanie is a role model, and we wish her the best of luck in the future.”

Kane thanked the Comcast Foundation for its continued charitable support of local communities and for helping to empower young students like Orts.

The Comcast Leaders and Achievers® Scholarship Program aims to give young people every opportunity to be prepared for the future, to engage youth in their communities, and to demonstrate the importance of civic involvement. Since the program's inception there have been more than 17,000 scholarship winners totaling more than $17.2 million.

Kane (www.senatorkane.com) represents the 32nd District which includes Bethlehem, Bridgewater, Middlebury, Oxford, Seymour, Southbury, Thomaston, Roxbury, Watertown and Woodbury.

The above information was provided by Kane's office.