All spring and fall 2020 certified communities will be formally recognized in December.
November 2, 2020
The City of Meriden is among seventeen Connecticut municipalities to be recognized this fall for achieving Sustainable CT certification. Meriden met high standards in a broad range of sustainability accomplishments to qualify for the prestigious Bronze-level certification.
Sustainable CT, a statewide initiative that inspires and supports communities in becoming more efficient, resilient, and inclusive, announced its 2020 fall certified communities this week.
"I am proud of our municipality and the individual groups who have worked hard every day and strived to be forward thinking on how to make Meriden a more sustainable community," said Mayor Kevin M. Scarpati. "These sustainable actions will offer our current and future residents with a multitude of environmental benefits."
In its application for Sustainable CT certification, Meriden demonstrated significant achievements in actions in nine sustainable impact areas ranging from inclusive community building, thriving local economies, and vibrant arts and culture to clean transportation and diverse housing. Meriden successfully completed actions included participating in C-Pace program, providing watershed education, mapping and promoting its tourism and cultural assets, integrating sustainability into the plan of conservation and development and zoning, growing affordable and sustainable housing options, and more.
"I am proud of the work the City has accomplished and the amplifying effect the program has had on multi-department coordination," said Paul Dickson Director of Planning and Zoning. "The Sustainable CT initiative has provided the City with an additional lens to focus and gather the innovative and equitable initiatives undertaken by City Departments and our community partners into a unified front addressing suitability and equity. The Sustainable CT Certification represents acknowledgment for the excellent work performed by City Staff and a roadmap for projects to benefit and enrich the community, the environment, and conserve resources while lowering the cost of operations."
Sustainable CT has seen strong momentum and growth as a valuable, high-impact program. One-hundred twelve municipalities have registered for the program, representing 80% of the state's population. Collectively, sixty-one municipalities, over 36% of the state's communities, have earned Sustainable CT certification. Certification lasts for 3 years, with submissions rigorously evaluated by independent experts and other Sustainable CT partners.
"Congratulations to our newest Sustainable CT certified communities," said Lynn Stoddard, Executive Director of the program. They join a growing number of certified towns and cities that are demonstrating municipal practices that make our communities more inclusive, healthy, connected, and strong."
The program is managed by the Institute for Sustainable Energy at Eastern Connecticut State University and includes actions that help towns and cities build community connection, social equity, and long-term resilience. The program's action roadmap and support tools are especially relevant as towns seek practices and resources to promote racial justice and respond to the COVID-19 crisis
Sustainable CT is independently funded, with strong support from its three founding funders: the Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation, the Common Sense Fund, and the Smart Seed Fund. Additional support is provided by: the Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut, Connecticut Community Foundation, Fairfield County Community Foundation, Main Street Community Foundation, and other sponsors.
Meriden and all spring and fall 2020 certified communities will be recognized later this year at the Annual Convention of the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities in December. For more information, visit www.sustainablect.org.
