I still use NPCC. The Patreon version works, but I think the mod is now locked behind a paywall. :(
I know there are some other variations. Bienchen has Townie Overhaul Less Fame mod that helps reduce townie generation. Zero has No Random Townies mod, but it doesn't have the assign job feature, disable shifts and region dependency, and doesn't 100% stop townie generation like NPCC does. It's still really good though, but those features are important to me.
Although it doesn't prevent townie generation, MCCC does have an option to only use townies from your library when the game generates a random townie. Another mod I'd like to mention is Lotharihoe's Sim Spawn Overhaul. It doesn't stop townie generation, but it does help control walkbys and sims visiting lots.