Farmington, CT – The Green Efforts Committee convened on June 4, 2024, at the Farmington Community Center to discuss ongoing and future environmental initiatives, despite the lack of a quorum which delayed any official voting. The meeting, led by Chairperson Jennifer Cole, centered on critical issues such as the town’s recent cleanup event, public education on waste reduction, and exploring new sustainability programs.
Cleanup Event Discrepancies
One of the primary discussions revolved around the discrepancies in the reported totals from the recent town cleanup event held on May 10, 2024. Although trucks reported removing 4,660 pounds of waste, the actual collected amount was significantly lower at 2,526 pounds. Committee member George Thompson highlighted issues such as regular garbage being mixed with the collected waste and large items over 25 pounds not being counted. This discrepancy indicated the need for better coordination and accurate reporting in future events. Jennifer Cole noted that IT had to obscure sensitive information from the cleanup participants in the publicly posted video due to privacy concerns.
Civic and Business Participation
The committee expressed concerns over the reduced participation from civic organizations and local businesses compared to previous years. Notably, Miss Porter’s School did not participate due to a long weekend, and only two businesses were officially counted, although additional businesses helped after the official cleanup day. Committee member Kate Smith emphasized the need for earlier and more effective marketing strategies to increase involvement. It was suggested that the Economic Development Department could utilize their email lists for better outreach.
Prize Distribution
In past years, prizes were distributed to the largest contributing civic organizations, schools, and youth programs. This year, however, only two political parties were noted, with a marked absence of other civic organizations. The committee discussed reinstating specific prize categories to encourage more widespread participation. Jill Hammingbrook, who picked up a substantial amount of trash, was highlighted as someone who should have been recognized, indicating a need for better tracking and acknowledgment of individual efforts.
Public Education Initiatives
Two key public education articles were prepared for the upcoming summer newsletter. Bree Larson authored an article titled “Pass on Plastic,” focusing on reducing plastic waste at home. Another article provided comprehensive research on composting programs, specifically the work done by Blue Earth in collaboration with Hartford. The committee discussed the potential space constraints in the newsletter and considered using QR codes to direct readers to more detailed information online. Jennifer Cole committed to checking with the newsletter office regarding space and deadlines, which last year was late June.
Composting Programs and Legislative Context
The committee explored the feasibility of introducing a voluntary composting program in Farmington, modeled on successful initiatives in other towns. Blue Earth, a composting service, currently serves around 70-80 households in Farmington without any official marketing efforts. Discussions included the potential cost savings from reduced tipping fees if more residents participated in composting. The committee also noted the legislative environment, particularly Senate Bill 191, which aimed to expand mandatory food scrap recycling. Unfortunately, the bill passed the Senate but did not make it to a vote in the House.
School Composting Success
Westwood School’s successful composting initiative, led by teacher Tara Jensen, was highlighted as a model to expand to other schools in the district. The school composted 2,000 pounds of waste in just 17 school days in April. Administrators from other buildings expressed interest in adopting similar programs. Kate Smith noted that starting composting programs in schools could educate students and influence family behaviors at home.
Pollinator Pathway Initiative
A new proposal was introduced by Kate Smith to get Farmington involved in the Pollinator Pathway project, which involves planting native plants along bike trails and other public areas to support pollinators. The initiative aims to promote biodiversity and engage the community in environmental stewardship. This proposal will involve coordinating with local environmental groups and town officials to identify suitable areas for planting and maintenance.
Future Marketing and Participation Strategies
To address the issues of participation, the committee proposed better coordination with the Economic Development Department to utilize their email lists and outreach capabilities. There was also a suggestion to reintroduce prizes for various categories, such as the largest civic organization participation, to encourage more involvement. Rose Anderson, a local marketing expert, will assist in creating more engaging promotional materials for the next cleanup event.
Moving Forward
The Green Efforts Committee’s next steps include finalizing the public education articles for the newsletter, exploring more detailed plans for the composting program, and initiating the Pollinator Pathway project. The committee remains committed to enhancing Farmington’s environmental sustainability through continued efforts and community engagement.
The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn by George Thompson, seconded by Kate Smith, and a unanimous vote. The committee looks forward to the upcoming initiatives and the next meeting to further these environmental goals.
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