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Town Recognized as a ‘Climate Leader’

Sustainable Connecticut celebrated towns that received certifications in 2023 at an awards celebration earlier this fall. Guilford was one of six towns recognized as a Climate Leader.

The annual awards celebration was held on Oct. 17 at the American Mural Project, Winsted, and recognized the efforts of 16 towns in reaching bronze, silver, or gold certification status, in addition to recognizing Guilford as a Climate Leader. According to the organization, this award “is given to communities that have taken significant actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the changing climate.”

Town records show Guilford achieved Sustainable CT Silver-level certification in 2022 and is now one of nine municipalities to add the Climate Leader designation to its accomplishments.

First Selectman Matt Hoey said the award recognizes Guilford’s efforts and its progress in juggling the many environmental impacts a coastal community faces.

“I think this acknowledges what we have accomplished as a town over the years, and it especially notes the work done in the last few years on climate change. The three major road elevation projects [and] the coastal resiliency plan we put together. Things as simple as the plastic bag plan and a number of other initiatives,” Hoey said. "It is with great appreciation to the Guilford Sustainable Task Force and their work that we accept the award, and without their efforts, many of these goals simply would not have been achievable.”

The town was also cited for its electric vehicle charging station efforts. Several new stations are currently planned and have already begun the installation process. One is at Town Hall adjacent to the existing station, a second one is being installed at 15 Water Street, and a third is at the Nathanael B. Greene Community Center.

“Those stations broke ground last week; we received grant funding through the DEEP [Department of Energy and Environmental Protection]. We also got grants for Eversource to complete this," Hoey said.

Hoey accepted the award along with Sustainable Guilford Task Force Chair Terri Cain and fellow task force members Robin Campot and Tyler Sowers.

“Once again, I am proud of our community for having supported so many initiatives that have allowed us to attain the Climate Leader Designation. As Guilford joins a select group of Connecticut communities, I want to thank the Guilford Sustainable Task Force for their leadership and work in documenting our successes," said Hoey at the ceremony.

Sustainable CT said its designation is in response to the town’s commitment to a number of different projects and its overall commitment to being a leader in environmental responsibility.

“In its application for Climate Leader designation, Guilford demonstrated significant achievements in implementing strategies and initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enhance climate resilience, and promote sustainability. The town's efforts encompass a broad spectrum of activities such as community engagement, green infrastructure development, clean energy adoption, and climate adaptation planning. More specifically, Guilford successfully completed actions including developing an open space plan, increasing and improving preserved open spaces, achieving Bronze status in the SolSmart program, adopting a Complete Streets policy and implementing Complete Streets projects, assessing locations for installation of additional electric car charging stations, and implementing the Heat Smart Campaign," according to xxx.

Terri Cain, chair of the Sustainable Guilford Task Force, said the recognition is exciting but emphasized that further work is needed.

“Members of the Sustainable Guilford Task Force are proud to help highlight the important work of our Town officials and staff toward implementing sustainable policies and practices to ensure the resiliency of our community now and into the future,” said Cain. “Focusing on these actions outlined by Sustainable CT brings our community together to improve our interconnections with global climate issues.”

According to Cain, Guilford’s task force remains committed to incorporating policies and projects that will allow Guilford to continue to be a leader in protecting its residents and protecting natural resources.

“SGTF’s charge is to help the town achieve SCT certification, which now includes Silver Certification in 2018 and 2022, as well as Climate Leader Designation in 2023. Guilford’s Climate Leader Designation highlights for our residents how the town implements goals toward this resiliency. For example…(o)ne way Guilford has addressed this priority is by planning for, improving, increasing and protecting our open spaces. Other CLD requirements the town has fulfilled include supporting electric vehicles by installing EV charging stations, creating a street light needs assessment, promoting ways to reduce waste, developing the Guilford Heat Smart campaign, and implementing Complete Streets through the work of our Safe Streets Task Force.”

For more information about the Sustainable Guilford Task Force, visit www.sustainableguilford.org.