Exactly how much are we paying for this staff and these accomplishments?

hooray for us!

Greenwich wins a gold star for its “sustainability” efforts.

Sustainable CT, a statewide initiative that inspires and supports communities in becoming more resilient, inclusive and efficient, announced its 2021 fall certified
communities last week.

Greenwich was the highest scoring municipality among the twenty-three towns which qualified for certification during the 2021 fall submission cycle.

The program’s action roadmap and support tools are especially relevant as towns seek practices and resources to address climate change, promote racial justice, and recover from the impacts of COVID-19.
Certified communities demonstrated significant achievements in at least eleven sustainability impact areas, ranging from community building, thriving local economies and vibrant arts and culture to clean transportation and diverse housing. In addition, certified municipalities addressed issues of belonging, equity, diversity, and inclusion when implementing sustainability actions. Sustainable CT provides free coaching and a virtual equity classroom to help municipalities with issues related to equity and racial justice.

“I am so proud of the breadth and depth of efforts in our community around sustainability,” said Pat Sesto, Director of Environmental Affairs. “Three years ago, when we achieved our first SustainableCT silver certification, we scored 410 points in 29 categories. We were one of just five towns to receive silver certification, the highest level of certification currently offered. Just three years later, we achieved 1,025 points in 52 categories – an improvement of two and half times. This achievement would not have been possible without the time, expertise and collaboration from numerous town departments, town officials, and community organizations. A special thanks to Sarah Coccaro, Conservation Resource Manager, for her hard work in submitting our SustainableCT application.”

I’ve nothing against the Garden Club, the Junior League, and other “community organizations” working to achieve sustainability and world peace — they don’t have much of anything better to do — but it’s dismaying to think that we have on our payroll a Conservation Resource manager at all, let alone one who spends at least part of her time distracting the staff of other departments, enlisting them to work on applying for such a meaningless feel-good award.

You might to include a thank you note for her when you send in your new, higher property tax bill next year.