Sustainable Communities: A Municipal Toolkit

A Municipal Toolkit Produced in cooperation with the Institute for Sustainable Energy at Eastern Connecticut State University

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TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction 5 Sustainability Planning

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Energy Efficiency

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Local Foods

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Land Use and Transportation

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Materials Management

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Resilience and Climate Adaptation

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Clean Energy Generation

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Municipal Initiatives Outside of Connecticut

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CCM thanks the National League of Cities for information provided in this toolkit.

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INTRODUCTION

CCM is proud to present Sustainable Communities: A Municipal Toolkit, produced in cooperation with the Institute for Sustainable Energy. The case studies in this report highlight some innovative practices by Connecticut towns and cities, demonstrating our state’s strong leadership in sustainability at the local level. The purpose of this toolkit is to share successful initiatives with other municipalities, to encourage innovation throughout Connecticut.

CCM’S TASK FORCE ON SUSTAINABILITY The Task Force serves to provide a blueprint for sustainable projects in Connecticut communities. A goal of the Task Force is to provide communities with the ability to exchange information and materials necessary to develop environmentally sustainable projects that simultaneously reduce cost and the property tax burden of Connecticut residents. The Task Force will act as a leader on sustainable policy issues and invest efforts to enhance a green economy, leading to the creation of green jobs. The Task Force partners with universities, nonprofits, and others to gain expertise on reducing negative impacts on ecosystem vitality.

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“It is critical that Connecticut’s towns and cities continue to develop sustainable policies to help communities develop environmentally friendly projects that benefit Connecticut residents as a whole.”

-Betsy Paterson,

Chair, CCM’s Task Force on Sustainability

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SUSTAINABILITY PLANNING

Sustainability most commonly means “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.”

(Brundtland Report, World Commission on Environment and Development, commissioned by the UN, 1987).

Sustainability, in practice, reflects the intersection of three areas of concern for towns and cities: economy, environment, and equity (inclusion of social concerns) - often referred to as the “triple bottom line” or “the three E’s.” While acknowledging the basic definition as well as the triple bottom line, towns and cities must also determine what sustainability means to the citizens of their community. (http://bit.ly/1Y4PLZZ) 7

BRIDGEPORT BGreen 2020 – A Sustainability Plan • BGreen 2020, Bridgeport’s sustainability plan, has resulted in an Energy Improvement District, Green Energy Park (solar and fuel cell), building retrofits, an eco-technology park, resiliency initiatives, and much more.

• More than 100 organizations and individuals came together to produce a 10-year plan that would transform Bridgeport into a smart and enlightened community.

• This plan focuses on five main areas of opportunity, including green energy and buildings, land use and transportation, water resources and recycling, green business, and education.

• View the 9/17/15 PowerPoint Presentation (http://bit.ly/1oBaaHH) • Watch the Video (http://bit.ly/21gu7p1)

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Storrs Center

MANSFIELD

• The Storrs Center Sustainable Design Guidelines ensure that Storrs Center is developed using intelligent land use guidelines, improving site resource management, conserving materials and resources in the construction process, improving energy efficiency, enhancing indoor environmental quality and creating a healthy, vital neighborhood for sustainable living.

Mansfield Tomorrow Plan of Conservation and Development • Through strong stakeholder and interdepartmental engagement, Mansfield has developed a Plan of Conservation and Development that incorporates sustainability as a major theme throughout the plan.

• Visit the Website (http://www.mansfieldtomorrow.com/)

• View the Storrs Center Sustainable Design Guidelines (http://bit.ly/1WMJwut)

Storrs Center Sustainable Design • The village in Storrs Center was designed as a sustainable development, which was defined by visionaries as creating an area sufficient to meeting the needs of the present without compromising the needs of the future.

• View the history of Storrs Center (http://bit.ly/237yjV9)

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STAMFORD The Stamford 2030 District

• The Stamford 2030 District sets district-wide goals for improved building energy use, water consumption, and transportation greenhouse gas emissions statistics to create a more sustainable city.

• Stamford 2030’s mission is to dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions and water usage in the commercial sector by changing the way buildings and developments are planned, designed, and constructed. Using a combination of market-friendly regulations and business community engagement, Stamford 2030 joins a national network that offers continuity, longevity, and stability, free of changing state administrations and priorities.

• View the 9/17/15 PowerPoint Presentation (http://bit.ly/1Q0y8FH) • Watch the Video (http://bit. ly/20Vkq9S)

HARTFORD Sustainable Knowledge Corridor • The Sustainable Knowledge Corridor Consortium is a body of individuals from three regional planning agencies (Capitol Region Council of Governments, Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, and Central Connecticut Regional Planning Agency) that join to provide direction and assistance on specific project elements, as well as to provide funding to specific projects in the Hartford-Springfield Interstate Region.

• Stamford 2030 launched as the 1st 2030 District in New England.

With an aging building stock and a business community vital to Connecticut’s economy, Stamford became the perfect location for a new high-efficiency district driven by private sector support.

• View the Market Analysis of the Knowledge Corridor Full Report (http://bit.ly/1WMJ7rO) • View the Metro Quest Survey on Transit-Oriented Development (http://skc.v6.metroquest.com/) Sustainable Capitol Region • The mission of the Sustainable Capitol Region is to support vibrant 10

communities, protect local resources, and ensure equal access to opportunities in the developing and improving Capitol Region today.

ment of an energy improvement district to the adoption of a Complete Streets policy.

• Contact: Sara Bronin - Chair, City of Hartford, Planning & Zoning Commission sara.bronin@gmail.com

• Visit the Capitol Region Green Clearinghouse website (http:// greenregionct.org/) • Visit the YouTube channel of the Sustainable Capitol Region (http://bit.ly/1Usze0e)

NEW BRITAIN SMART City Initiative, Energy and Innovation

Livable Communities Toolkit

• Established the Energy and Innovation Committee in January 2016 as a way to transform New Britain into a “SMART City”.

• The Capitol Region Council of Governments supports both transportation and land use design that creates better development and accordingly more livable communities.

• Focus areas include: Energy efficient projects to reduce costs and limit impacts on the environment, using technology to enhance the quality, performance, and user ability of services and city infrastructure, and guiding projects for a more sustainable future.

• View the Livable Communities Toolkit (http://crcog.org/community_dev/livable_toolkit.html) • View the Livable Communities Newsletter (http://bit.ly/1tuuo92)

• For more information about the Committee and current sustainable projects in New Britain, visit http://newbritainct.gov/index. php/77-government/mayoroffice/411-smart-city-initiative.html

Climate Stewardship Council • Hartford has convened a Climate Stewardship Council consisting of two dozen university, nonprofit, business, political, and neighborhood leaders, who are focusing on five key sustainability measures (energy, land use, transportation, waste, and water), have already supported more than $4 million of grants for projects in these areas, and have advanced concrete proposals ranging from the establish-

• Contact: Jodi Latina – Chief of Staff, Mayor of New Britain Jodi.Latina@newbritainct.gov (860) 826-3307

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“Producing sustainable eco-friendly projects will help foster a vibrant and clean environment for Connecticut’s communities.”

-Kurt Miller,

First Selectman, Seymour

Vice Chair, CCM’s Task Force on Sustainability

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ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Saving energy through energy efficiency improvements can cost less than generating, transmitting, and distributing energy from power plants, and provide multiple economic and environmental benefits. Towns and cities can promote energy efficiency in their jurisdictions by developing and implementing strategies that improve the efficiency of municipal facilities and operations and/or encourage energy efficiency improvements in residential, commercial, and industrial sectors. (http://bit.ly/1TLLTaZ)

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ENFIELD

EAST HARTFORD

Energy Savings Performance Contracting

Energy Efficiency Initiatives

• Energy Savings Performance Contracting enables the implementation of deep, comprehensive energy-saving measures, using guaranteed future energy savings to finance the improvements.

• Implementation of municipal energy efficiency initiatives resulting in millions of dollars saved.

• Contact: Mike Walsh – Finance Director mwalsh@easthartfordct.gov (860) 291-7246

• The current budget for utilities is enough to pay the reduced-cost utilities and project financing with potential for additional savings realized by the Town.

Residents would not see an tax-impact.

SEYMOUR LED Street Lights • Converting street lights to LED resulting in $100,000 -$150,000 of savings a year.

• View the 9/17/15 PowerPoint Presentation (http://bit.ly/1Tzcdrz)

• Contact: Rory Burke – Assistant to the First Selectman rburke@seymourct.org (203) 888-2511

• Watch the Video (http://bit. ly/1R1E2E5)

COLUMBIA

NORWICH

Eversource Clean Energy Community Program

Norwich Public Utilities: Natural Gas Expansion

• Energy efficiency and saving through energy upgrades to town facilities resulting in 716,988 kwh in savings.

• Since 2010, NPU has converted more than 1,900 customers to clean-burning natural gas for heating, hot water and cooking.

• The purchasing of composting plus green cleaning products.

• This represents an increase in NPU’s natural gas customer base of more than 20% and resulted in an average annual savings to the community of $1.3M in fuel costs.

• Contact: Carmen L. Vance – First Selectman cvance@columbiact.org (860) 228-0110 x21

• Contact: Jeff Brining - Division Manager, NPU 14

JeffBrining@npumail.com (860) 823-4522

sion, and smart technology control systems with heating/AC units.

Norwich Public Utilities: Energy Efficiency Programs

• Cost savings equal up to 4.3 million in 4 years.

• Since 2006, NPU has offered a robust energy efficiency programs for both Gas and Electric that provide benefits to residential and commercial customers.

• Contact: Ron Van Winkle – Town Manager ron@westhartfordct.gov (860) 561-7440

WESTPORT

• The community saves over $3m per year on energy costs as a direct result.

CT Energy Assistance Program • Income eligible residents are encouraged to complete a Home Energy Solutions-Income Eligible audit in order to enable Westport to use funds more efficiently with lowering heating costs for homeowners.

• Contact: Jeff Brining - Division Manager, NPU JeffBrining@npumail.com (860) 823-4522

WEST HARTFORD

• Contact: Susan Stefenson – Program Specialist sstefenson@westportct.gov (203) 341-1072

Energy Conservation • Energy conservation and efficiency savings through LED bulb conver-

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“Connecticut’s municipalities need environmentally sustainable policies that produce innovative and efficient developments to further economic growth in a responsible and clean way.”

-Mark Boughton,

Mayor of Danbury,

CCM President

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LOCAL FOODS

While issues pertaining to community food systems have not always been seen as a matter for municipal intervention, towns and cities are increasingly recognizing the far-reaching impacts and opportunities contained within these various stages.

For example, community food systems directly connect to public health goals such as (a) reducing hunger or obesity; (b) the protection and conservation of natural resources including energy, water and soil; and (c) supporting or facilitating local economic growth. (http://www.sustainablecitiesinstitute.org/topics/food-systems)

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NEW LONDON COUNTY

NORWICH

Farm to School – A Sustainable and Healthy Way to Feed the Future

Public Schools – Processing for the Future • Through a Farm Viability Grant from the CT Department of Agriculture, the Norwich Public Schools were able to purchase additional processing equipment for their kitchens so that they can package fresh vegetables during the growing season and store them for use later in the school year.

• 15 school districts in New London County are purchasing locally grown foods and the Farm to School initiative has funded school garden projects, created a youth ambassador program, and convened a multi-stakeholder Farm Fresh New London County Schools Advisory Council.

• View the 9/17/15 PowerPoint Presentation (http://bit.ly/1T7bwqY)

• View the 9/17/15 PowerPoint Presentation (http://bit.ly/1Qf2OV6)

• Watch the Video (http://bit.ly/1T7bqji)

• Watch the Video (http://bit.ly/1T7bqji) 18

HARTFORD

SUFFIELD

Food Policy Advisory Commission

Farm Preservation

• Hartford’s Food Policy Advisory Commission convenes local and regional stakeholders who develop, plan, and advocate for a sustainable food system; recent initiatives include the re-imagining of the regional market and successful advocacy for zoning changes that promote urban agriculture

• Suffield sets aside $250,000$500,000 a year to purchase development rights on local farms in cooperation with the Department of Agriculture resulting in 2,100 acres preserved.

• Contact: Patrick McMahon – Director of Economic and Community Development pmcmahon@suffieldtownhall.com (860) 668-3849

• Contact: Martha Page – Executive Director of Hartford Food System mpage@hartfordfood.org (860) 296-9325

One of many local farms in Suffield

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LAND USE AND TRANSPORTATION

Land use policy necessarily touches on every aspect of municipal concern. Sustainable land use planning involves decisions on crosscutting and multi-layered issues that affect air quality, water quality, access to transportation options, economic vitality, and quality of life. It is critical to promote the creation and development of communities containing an array of types and uses of buildings and spaces to meet the diverse needs of residents’ daily lives. (http://www.sustainablecitiesinstitute.org/topics/land-use-and-planning)

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source: merdien2020.com

Transit Center & Brownfield Redevelopment at the Hub

MERIDEN Developing Sustainable Transit Oriented Development • Meriden’s Harbor Brook Flood Control Plan significantly reduces the size of the 100-year floodplain in the city, while providing landscaped open space areas.

• The Plan works to control flooding in the city’s downtown, and to improve the flow of the Harbor Brook.

• View the 9/17/15 PowerPoint Presentation (http://bit.ly/1Q0wNPa) • Watch the Video (http://bit.ly/1Qf2Fkr)

NORWICH Clean Cities Coalition • Serving Eastern Connecticut, Norwich Clean Cities is a U.S. Department of Energy program promoting the use of alternative fuels and technology to reduce the use of petroleum consumption in transportation.

• For more information about the Norwich Clean Cities Coalition, please visit http:// www.norwichcleancities.org/

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HARTFORD

healthy and vibrant. The Project will act in accordance with the City’s future vision.

Form-Based Coding and Zoning • Hartford’s recently adopted, award-winning zoning code innovates in the areas of stormwater management, renewable energy, tree canopy coverage, waterway buffers, traffic convention, air/water pollution reduction, Complete Streets, and other areas.

• View the new Zoning Code (http://bit.ly/1XnzfVp) • View a post on urban agriculture from the CT Northeast Organic Farming Association (CT NOFA) blog (http://bit.ly/1Q1tef3) • View a post on other environmental components from the CT Fund for the Environment (CFE) blog (http:// bit.ly/260vCXs)

• The “Zone Hartford” Project focuses on improving the Zoning Regulations within the City of Hartford. The Project will try to make neighborhoods more pedestrian-friendly and more

Source: ZoneHartford Diagnosis Report

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MATERIALS MANAGEMENT

Materials management requires active examination of routine purchasing, use and disposal decisions in ways that reflect their interrelatedness and their impact on the environment. A materials management program includes elements related to procurement, operations and maintenance, reuse and recycling, and disposal.

Through examining all the ways in which materials pass through their communities procurement, operations and maintenance, reuse and recycling, and disposal - towns and cities often discover dramatic opportunities to reduce their environmental impact. (http://www.sustainablecitiesinstitute.org/topics/materials-management) 25

WEST HARTFORD

BRIDGEWATER

Food Waste Composting Pilot

Moving Toward a Sustainable Future with Organics

• West Hartford’s food waste composting pilot project began in 2 high schools and was designed to introduce the concept of full-circle waste management and introduce food waste collection and composting in the town’s schools.

• Bridgewater implemented a pilot project for residential food waste/ organics compositing that includes separation of compostable food scraps from other garbage by residents, curbside collection of organics, and composting.

• View the 9/17/15 PowerPoint Presentation (http://bit.ly/20Vj1QQ)

• View the 9/17/15 PowerPoint Presentation (http://bit.ly/1Q0v2RV)

• Watch the Video (http://bit. ly/20Vj5jp)

• Watch the Video (http://bit.ly/20Vjn9W) 26

MANSFIELD

in the nation mattress stewardship program means previously discarded mattresses will be recycled in an environmentally sound manner, sustaining jobs in Connecticut and resulting in cost savings for municipalities. This program mirrors similar stewardship programs the state has enacted for electronics, paint and thermostats.”

-DEEP Commissioner Robert Klee

School Composting • One middle school and three elementary schools have been composting their lunchtime food scraps since 1998 resulting in recurring cost savings.

HARTFORD Mattress Recycling Program • An award-winning mattress recycling program that started in Hartford has been adopted statewide.

• More info (http://bit.ly/28IJBd)

• “The implementation of this first 27

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RESILIENCE AND CLIMATE ADAPTATION

Towns and cities are increasingly examining the impacts of climate change on existing transportation, energy, and water infrastructure to ensure communities are prepared to meet the challenges of extreme and unanticipated weather and climate conditions. For many municipalities, climate change and extreme weather has translated into steep economic costs to public safety, public health, food security, and emergency management.

Municipalities are increasingly finding ways to plan for and implement sustainable responses to climate change and extreme weather. (http://www.sustainablecitiesinstitute.org/topics/climate-adaptation-and-resilience)

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Sachem Head Road in Guilford after hurricane Irene.

GUILFORD

challenges, strengths, and priority actions to improve community resilience against these factors, both today and in the future.

Development of a Community Coastal Resilience Plan • The Town of Guilford developed a Community Coastal Resilience Plan to prepare for sea level rise, increased flooding, and more frequent storm surges.

• Visit the Community Resilience Building website (http://www.communityresiliencebuilding.com/) • As the planet warms and the probability of natural disasters increases, resilience in building design and in construction is becoming increasingly important. View Measuring and Implementing Resilience in Buildings: The New LEED Resistant Design Pilot Credits, a webinar that offers advice in this category (http://bit.ly/24OLPfE)

• View the 9/17/15 PowerPoint Presentation (http://bit.ly/1LG9s11) • Watch the Video (http://bit.ly/1TzboyX)

Community Resilience Building • The Community Resilience Building is a workshop in which community members, “anywhere at any scale,” are able to identify hazards, 30

OLD SAYBROOK Initial Findings and Recommendations on Sea Level Rise and Climate Adaptation • The Old Saybrook Sea Level Rise and Climate Adaptation Committee has analyzed the potential for sea level rise and the fiscal disadvantages that this problem poses to the town and the residents, and has proposed an initial, recommended course of action. • View the 9/17/15 PowerPoint Presentation (http://bit.ly/1R1Df6h)

Old Saybrook Flood Zones

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CLEAN ENERGY GENERATION

Towns and cities are increasingly playing a larger role in energy supply as smaller scale energy resources, such as onsite renewable energy generation, become more readily available and affordable. In addition, towns and cities are themselves significant users of energy and as a major utility customer can negotiate with their utility providers to increase production through renewable sources. (http://www.sustainablecitiesinstitute.org/topics/buildings-and-energy/energy-101)

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MILFORD

dences and businesses.

Microgrid and Energy Efficiency

• NPU generates electricity from the Shetucket River. Our hydro capabilities save our ratepayers $668,000 by decreasing the amount of electricity we have to purchase each year.

• Milford’s microgrid will be used to provide a clean energy infrastructure and provide power for critical town energy needs in the event of an energy emergency.

• When the solar and hydro components are combined, NPU’s energy portfolio will be close to 20% renewable.

• View the 9/17/15 PowerPoint Presentation (http://bit.ly/1TzaYIQ) • Watch the Video (http://bit. ly/21ra7N4)

• Contact: Jeff Brining Division Manager, NPU JeffBrining@npumail.com (860) 823-4522

BETHEL Solar Array and Virtual Net Metering • A proposed 2.5 Acre 900 kW solar array which will utilize the Connecticut’s Virtual Net Metering Program to offset Municipal Energy costs and Reduce Carbon Emissions to our State.

PUTNAM Solar Farm • Putnam converted a former solid waste dump into a solar farm.

• Contact: Matthew Knickerbocker First Selectman knickerbockerm@bethel-ct.gov (203) 794-8501

• Produces thousands of kwh’s of energy savings resulting in thousands of dollars saved.

• Contact: Tony Falzarano – Mayor Tony.falzarano@putnamct.us (860) 963-6800

NORWICH Norwich Public Utilities: Solar and Hydro • Working with the Connecticut Municipal Electric Energy Cooperative (CMEEC), these two projects will add 8 MW of solar generation in NPU’s service territory to 257 KW of capacity already installed on public buildings (Central Fire Dept., Kelly Middle School), private resi-

WESTPORT Solar Photovoltaic System • Westport’s eastbound train station was installed with a 28kW photovoltaic system and was retrofitted with energy efficient lighting, win34

HARTFORD

dows, and a heat pump. Cost of electricity has decreased by 25%.

Public-Private Microgrid

• Contact: Pippa Bell Ader – Vice Chair, Green Task Force gtf@westportct.gov (203) 293-6320

• Hartford has installed a .4 MW fuel cell, which could power a grocery store, fueling station, fueling station, library, and community center in a grid outage — in the process, creating the first public-private microgrid in the country. It also has one of the largest solar arrays atop a capped landfill, with plans to expand.

BEACON FALLS Fuel Cell Project • A 63.3 megawatt fuel cell park is being constructed in Beacon Falls to provide 60,000 Connecticut residents and businesses with clean energy generation. The park will be the biggest in fuel cell facility in the world. (http://cour.at/1URGBdI)

• Contact: Sara Bronin - Chair, City of Hartford, Planning & Zoning Commission sara.bronin@gmail.com

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Municipal Initiatives Outside Connecticut

Diverse towns and cities nationwide have developed creative strategies to produce sustainability initiatives. Below are specific examples of how cities have implemented sustainable policies:

SANTA CRUZ, CALIFORNIA http://www.sustainablecitiesinstitute.org/cities/santa-cruz-california

CLEVELAND, OHIO http://www.sustainablecitiesinstitute.org/cities/cleveland-ohio

FLAGSTAFF, ARIZONA http://www.sustainablecitiesinstitute.org/cities/flagstaff-arizona

PORTLAND, OREGON http://www.sustainablecitiesinstitute.org/cities/portland-oregon

CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA http://www.sustainablecitiesinstitute.org/cities/charleston-south-carolina

PINECREST, FLORIDA http://www.sustainablecitiesinstitute.org/cities/pinecrest-florida

AUSTIN, TEXAS http://www.sustainablecitiesinstitute.org/cities/austin-texas

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI http://www.sustainablecitiesinstitute.org/cities/kansas-city-missouri

DUBUQUE, IOWA http://www.sustainablecitiesinstitute.org/cities/dubuque-iowa

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900 Chapel Street, 9th Floor, New Haven, CT 06510 203.498.3000 | www.ccm-ct.org

For more information regarding this toolkit, please contact: Alexandra Beaudoin (abeaudoin@ccm-ct.org); or Ron Thomas (rthomas@ccm-ct.org).