Minutes from Wethersfield Green Summit Community Discussion

April 6, 2011

Attendees: See separate attendee list

Matthew Forrest, Green Summit Committee Chair, welcomed everyone to the latest Green Summit event at 7:05pm. The purpose of this event was to reconvene town groups to continue the discussion first started in March 2008 re: local efforts to increase Wethersfield’s “green” footprint. Matthew reviewed the agenda and then introduced Christopher Shepard, Director of the Eleanor Buck Wolf Nature Center, who facilitated the discussion.

The first segment of the evening involved small group discussions. People were assigned to tables to ensure varied representation. Groups had lively discussion, discussed their initiatives, and prepared for the larger group report out.

The larger group report out resulted in a list of items that the groups would like to discuss further at subsequent workshops, with an eye towards future implantation. Those items are listed at the end of these minutes. Moving forward with these ideas would result in additional community education forums and / or developing an implementation plan for the key items on this list. That discussion will come in future sessions.

Matthew reviewed the next upcoming Green Summit Committee forums. These are open to all residents in town, and he encouraged community groups to attend as well:

·  May 26, 2011: Weatherization and Insulation Forum

·  June 9, 2011: Hot Water Heating Alternatives Forum

Next, Matthew introduced Chamae Munroe from the Neighbor to Neighbor Energy Challenge Program, who reviewed a slideshow with the group, which highlighted the program, its benefits, and its current standing. Chamae and Roger Smith, New England Energy Program Director for Clean Water Action / Clean Water Fund were available after the program for questions.

The program concluded at 8:40 pm.

What has already been done to promote a sense of community while at the same time promoting “greener ways” of doing thing? The top items include:

·  Community gardens: One community garden in town behind the firehouse in Old Wethersfield has been very successful; a second community garden was started this year behind the Nature Center and has been successful. Both gardens allow only the use of organic materials and no chemical pesticides.

·  Parking on lawns and on the snow shelf has been an issue; this has an impact on drainage, trees, and aesthetics. A local town ordinance has recently been passed to address this, but citizen involvement is needed to report and resolve ongoing violations.

·  Town beautification has been ongoing. Local garden groups plant flowers around town in public spaces. This needs to continue.

·  Beautify the Marsh Street gateway into town: This will be done shortly in conjunction with the Preserve America Grant the town was previously awarded. [Follow up note: This has been completed since the April meeting.]

What items would we as town committees like to explore further as future possibilities? Several of the top ideas are as follows:

·  Provide safe and accessible walking trails

·  Promote benefits of exercise and outdoor recreation

·  Review possibilities of a town fleet of alternative fuel vehicles

·  Promote the use of mass transit

·  Promote bicycle safety through bike lanes and bike racks

·  Explore the development of a light pollution ordinance

·  Examine the water quality of town brooks, streams, and reservoirs

·  Develop a plan for invasive species control in town waterways

·  Investigate hydro power options at Bell Pond

·  Develop a tree plan to preserve, maintain, and replace trees (when needed)

·  Review local regulations for use of pesticides. Follow the example of public schools by banning use of certain cleaning chemicals (i.e. use only non-toxic cleaners)

·  Educate gardeners on the benefits of composting

·  Post energy information for residents on the town website so it is easily accessible

·  Encourage businesses to reuse supplies when possible and recycle / donate their used equipment (i.e. office furniture) when it is replaced.

·  Encourage continued enforcement of local trash / litter laws

·  Educate businesses about money saving opportunities found by going “green”

·  Further the land conservation discussion in town. Use open space for agriculture and passive recreation

·  Look at increased business façade improvement opportunities to make Silas Deane Highway in particular more attractive in order to promote local business patronization

Small group discussion held during the April 6, 2011 Green Summit Meeting

Town Committee Members view the Neighbor to Neighbor Energy Challenge Program slideshow presented by Chamae Munroe

Left: Christopher Shepard, Director, Eleanor Buck

Wolf Nature Center; and right: Matthew Forrest,

Green Summit Committee Chair