The Sustainable Essex Committee is working on a few initiatives this year. These are:
- Promote sustainable lawncare including reduction of gas-powered equipment, removal of invasive species, and incorporation of pollinator-friendly native plants.
- Encourage residents to participate in the Home Energy Solutions energy assessment that may qualify them for FREE upgrades for energy efficiency in their home
- Drive implementation and adoption of curb-side and/or municipal composting including management of food waste
- Initiate Semi-Annual Repair Cafes
- Participate in the protection and restoration of local CT River and Long Island Sound watersheds through the annual Source to Sea cleanup
- Install publicly-available EV chargers in the three villages of Essex
- Support installation of Renewable Energy generation in Essex
With all projects we will strive to build and strengthen municipal processes to be more inclusive, cohesive, and representative of all community members, now and in the future. These system-wide, structural changes are an important step in creating open and equitable communities.
2023 Progress on goals
Grants won: 4!
Eversource and DEEP grants for installation of EV chargers; Community Match Fund from Sustainable CT for composting in all Region 4 schools; Community Partnership Grant with EnergizeCT to encourage low-income residents to sign up for the Home Energy Audit.
Newsletters written: 34!
Waste out of the landfill:
2022 Progress toward goals
Part of our reduction of trash is the increased collection of food scraps at the transfer station. Keep it up, Essex residents!
We have seen a steady increase in the number of EVs in Essex. The free charging station at the Essex Post Office is used at least daily!
In our second event to conserve the Connecticut River watershed, we participated in the Source to Sea cleanup. A small, but hardy, group of volunteers picked up a lot of litter!
