Charged by the City to develop a long-term sustainability plan, Sustainability Committee chair Sara Goddard presented a summary of the group’s ideas at the January 23 City Council meeting.

 

By Tom McDermott

 

Charged by the City to develop a long-term sustainability plan, Sustainability Committee chair Sara Goddard presented a summary of the group’s ideas at the January 23 City Council meeting.

 

The plan, according to Goddard, will incorporate both quick fixes and long-term initiatives.

 

Among the ideas presented were:

 

A Biodiesel Initiative: a collaboration with Hudson Bio-Fuels, which would provide low-sulfur diesel fuel for use in City trucks.

New energy efficiency recommendations for City facilities.

A potential “Sound Shore Consortium” to develop and share ideas and funding.

A potential “Leave Leaves Alone” initiative: providing on site mulching as a fertilizer/pesticide free way to care for parks and other open spaces.

A low-tech “cool roofs” initiative, using a special white paint on flat-roofed buildings to reduce HVAC cost.

 

Goddard projects the Committee will present a final plan for City Council approval this spring.