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04/20/2020 12:00 AMOn March 11, the Town of East Haven registered to join a growing number of communities across the state participating in Sustainable CT, an exciting program to support Connecticut’s cities and towns. The statewide initiative, created by towns for towns, includes a detailed menu of sustainability best practices, tools and resources, peer learning, and recognition.
More than 50 percent of Connecticut’s municipalities are now registered to participate in Sustainable CT. The second cohort of certified communities was announced in October 2019. Collectively, 27 percent of the state’s cities and towns have achieved certification.
“I am very excited to have this resolution passed unanimously by the Town Council. I look forward to a partnership with Sustainable CT to make East Haven an even more desirable community to live and raise a family. As we navigate the action items, the task force looks forward to working with the town, other community action groups and especially residents,” said Town Council member Samantha Parlato.
The Sustainable CT platform supports a broad range of actions, such as improving watershed management, supporting arts and creative culture, reducing energy use and increasing renewable energy, implementing “complete streets” (streets that meet the needs of walkers and bikers as well as cars), improving recycling programs, assessing climate vulnerability, supporting local businesses, and providing efficient and adverse housing options. There is no cost to participate and communities voluntarily select actions that meet their unique local character and long-term vision. After successful implementation of a variety of actions, municipalities are eligible for Sustainable CT certification.
The initiative was developed under the leadership of the Institute of Sustainable Energy at Eastern Connecticut State University in partnership with the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities. Three Connecticut philanthropies—The Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation, The Smart Seed Fund, and the Common Sense Fund—have supported the program’s development and launch.
“We are thrilled that East Haven has registered to join Sustainable CT. The program builds on many current success stories in our communities to create and support more great places to live, work, and play,” said Lynn Stoddard, director of the Institute for Sustainable Energy. “We are looking forward to working with the town as they pursue Sustainable CT certification.”
“My colleagues and I at DEEP [the Department of Energy & Environmental Protection] are pleased to see East Haven join the growing list of towns that are participating in Sustainable CT,” said DEEP senior advisor James Albis, who regularly sits on the Sustainable CT Board as an alternate to Commissioner Katie Dykes. “What we’ve seen across the state is that Sustainable CT is getting people more active in their communities and improving environmental outcomes. It’s a win-win for everyone involved.”
Interested residents should email Parlato at sparlato@townofeasthavenct.org. For more information, visit www.sustainablect.org.