An annual farmers’ market, the Housatonic Valley Rail Trail and the recent purchase of 65 acres from Benedict family farm to preserve as open space all factored into the town of Monroe’s bronze certification from the Campaign for a Sustainable CT.
First Selectman Terry Rooney and Economic and Community Development Director William Holsworth received a certificate during the awards ceremony at the Kathryn Hepburn Cultural Arts Center in Old Saybrook on Nov. 13.
“The town of Monroe hosts a farmers’ market each season with a wide range of family activities, including live entertainment, demonstrations by local chefs, a tasting tent for sampling of available products and a Market Minis program for the youngest visitors,” the master of ceremonies said, before calling them up to the stage.
Sustainable CT certification opens up opportunities for the town to apply for grants it would not otherwise be eligible for, according to Holsworth.
Holsworth and Rosemary Riber, the town’s special projects coordinator known as the driving force in the town’s application for the bronze certification, recently gave a presentation to the Monroe Town Council about the Campaign for a Sustainable CT.
Its mission is to foster inclusive, resilient and vibrant Connecticut municipalities that provide opportunities for all to thrive by providing a menu of sustainability actions that:
- Build local economies
- Support equity
- Respect the finite capacity of the environment
Voluntary certification is available to all municipalities within the state of Connecticut.
To become registered, there are 13 categories of activities and at least one activity from each category must be completed — three activities for silver certification and four for gold certification.
Points are awarded for each completed activity:
- 200 Points for bronze certification
- 500 Points for silver certification
- 750 Points for gold certification
- An additional 150 points for the Climate Leader Designation
Additional points can be obtained to boost certification status. The certification is in place for three years, before requiring a renewal application. There are two certification cycles per calendar year, spring and fall.
Activities must have been completed within the past three years.
Of its 169 municipalities 138 are registered with Sustainable CT, 70 of which have achieved certification:
- Bronze certification – 40 municipalities, two of which are Climate Leaders
- Silver certification – 24 municipalities, eight of which are Climate Leaders
- Gold certification – six municipalities, six of which are Climate Leaders
Town grants update
Holsworth recently gave the Town Council an update on the town’s current grant activity, while excluding grants obtained within areas such as the DPW Local Capital Improvement Program (LoCIP), the Local Transportation Capital Improvement Program (LOTCIP), the Old Americans Title III Grant (SWCAA), Edith Wheeler Memorial Library, the Health Department, Town Clerk and WMNR.
He shared a graphic showing the grant name, amount and stage:
Congressionally Directed Spending (STEM Computer Labs) $200,000, close out
Congressionally Directed Spending (Senior Center Septic) $200,000, awaiting contract
Congressionally Directed Spending (Police Body Cameras) $250,000, awaiting notification
Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP) $500,000, administration
Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition (OSWA) $1,803,750, awaiting contract
State Bonding – Wolfe Park Basketball Courts $150,000, close out
State Bonding – Monroe Community Center $750,000, awaiting contract.
Recently submitted grants
Healthy Communities Grant $40,000 Geothermal design
MetroCOG Active Transportation Micro Grant $5,000 Bike Helmets
MetroCOG EPA Climate Pollution Reduction Grant Rooftop solar, HVAC
Assessments and Geothermal Evaluation
AARP Livable Communities Grant $5,000 Benches/Library Program
Local and Regional Project Assistance Grants (RAISE) less than $1,000,000 Culvert Replacement on Hammertown Road
Regional Infrastructure Accelerators Demonstration Program less than $975,000 Hammertown Road Culvert.
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