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Old Saybrook Recognized For Sustainability Efforts

Old Saybrook has received gold certification after making townwide efforts to make the town a more sustainable place to live.

On June 3, Old Saybrook was one of two towns recognized by Sustainable CT with a gold certification, the highest level of certification. “Old Saybrook has showcased extraordinary leadership and innovation in sustainability. Their Gold certification recognizes comprehensive and effective sustainability strategies that serve as a model for other municipalities,” a press release from Sustainable CT stated.

Sustainable CT is an organization that encourages towns to accomplish tasks in categories like protecting the environment, improving planning, improving transportation, and improving infrastructure, among others. The voluntary certification program encourages towns to improve best practices that help promote the quality of life for the town and its citizens. Towns can be rewarded with grant opportunities if they accomplish enough tasks.

Speaking at a June 11 Board of Selectmen meeting, Old Saybrook First Selectman Carl Fortuna said the award was specifically for Old Saybrook’s efforts in “inclusive community building, arts and culture, diverse housing, thriving economy, supporting local businesses, supporting watershed education, encouraging low impact development, and assessing climate vulnerability.”

Fortuna credited the certification to years of work from several groups. “These are decisions that were made before we were chasing awards but just were good for the future of the town. Old Saybrook should be proud to be only one of two towns in the state to be so honored, but the award is as a result of good government through and through, from my office right down to all our boards and commissions. We have a high standard in Old Saybrook, and we work every day to maintain it,” Fortuna said.

Asked for specific projects he was proud of that contributed to the award Fortuna said “Two quick items that come to mind are the town’s flood policies and conversion to LED streetlights have been two highlights of forward thinking that both save money and make sense. “