RESOLUITON
Motion/Request:
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MOTION to adopt the proposed “Resolution Supporting the Town’s Continued Participation in the Sustainable CT Municipal Certification Program And Establishing A Sustainable CT Ad Hoc Committee” as contained in the draft dated June 11, 2025.
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Background:
Administration Committee
During the March 6, 2025 Fiscal Year 2025/2026 Budget Work Session that obtaining a Sustainable CT Certification was discussed.
The Town began the process to obtain a Sustainable CT Certification in 2020; However, due to COVID 19 and limited staffing the process stalled, noting that the criteria was supposed to be completed within three-years.
The Administration Committee recognized that Ledyard had done has already done a number of Sustainable CT Projects that would have qualified for the Certification, such as purchasing all the streetlights from Eversource and converting them all over to LED bulbs, which was done several years ago, therefore, they have proposed the “Resolution Supporting the Town’s Continued Participation in the Sustainable CT Municipal Certification Program And Establishing A Sustainable CT Ad Hoc Committee” with the hope that perhaps the previous projects could be used toward their certification process.
In addition, because there were many sustainable opportunities that could help the town save money and bolster economic development; and also protect our watersheds; they have proposed resurrecting the Sustainable CT Ad Hoc Committee.
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
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