RESOLUITON
Motion/Request:
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Discussion and possible action to draft a resolution establishing a Sustainable CT Ad-hoc Committee.
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Background:
Town Council Meeting 3/11/2020
The Town Council adopted a “ Town Of Ledyard Resolution Supporting Participation In The Sustainable Ct Municipal Certification Program”
The purpose of obtaining the Sustainable CT Program designation would enable the Town to apply for small grants that were targeted to improve the community such as In Our Backyard (IOB) Grants. She stated a link was provided in the supporting materials to the Sustainable CT website. She explained that the vision of Sustainable CT was for communities to strive to be thriving, resilient, collaborative and forward thinking. They build community and local economy. They equitably promote the health and well-being of current and future residents; and they respect the finite capacity of the natural environment.
Sustainable CT encouraged Municipalities to register and become certified, which involved doing certain actions, many of which Ledyard has already done such as:
• Thriving local economy
• Well sorted land and natural resources
• Vibrant and creative local ecosystems
• Dynamic and resilient planning
• Clean and diverse transportation system
• Efficient physical infrastructure & operations such as the complete streets/lighting
• Strategic and inclusive public services
• Healthy, efficient and diverse housing inclusive of equitable community impacts
• Innovation actions
With the adoption of the “Town of Ledyard Resolution Supporting Participation in the Sustainable CT Municipal Certification Program” Ledyard could be registered Ledyard as a Sustainable CT Member, which would allow them to apply for In Our Backyard (IOB) Grants. The IOB Grants was a grassroots funded effort, in which IOB would match local funds dollar for dollar for community initiatives such as the Town Green Improvements. In 2020 the maximum amount that IOB would match was up-to $20,000.
The IOB Grant Program would be similar to a “GoFundMe” Page, noting as funds were raised on-line that the IOB would instantly match the funds. The public could donate money (individual donation could not exceed $1,000) and/or the Town could allocate funding for an initiative and the IOB Grant would match those funds dollar for dollar.
The IOB Investors would also help create a short video to showcase the project to post on-line as part of the Application Process to appeal to the public for funding. The IOB Grant program would provide funding for projects that would be an “All inclusive proposed use”; another words the project would need to benefit the entire community such as Town Green Improvements; the Ledyard Fairgrounds Improvements, Tri-Town Trail initiatives, Food Pantry equipment, etc. Projects such as a Christmas Tree would not qualify for funding because it was not all inclusive. Also, the Town would not have to always be the Applicant, explaining that the Tri-Town Trail Association, Church Groups or other Community Organization could apply for the IOB Grant. However, the maximum number of Applications the Community could have open at one time was five.
Towns such as Montville, New London, Stonington, East Lyme, and East Haddam have all become Sustainable CT Communities and have received IOB Grant Funding for a variety of initiatives.
Please see attached:
Ledyard Sustainable CT Resolution adopted 3/11/2020
East Haddam Resolution Sustainable Resolution
Department Comment/Recommendation:
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Mayor Comment/Recommendation:
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