8331_NewGloucester_2021-2022_AnnualReport_Web

ANNUAL REPORT Environmental Resources Committee The Environmental Resources Committee meets the first Thursday of the month at 5:30 pm. Ongoing projects of the ERC included: • Fairgrounds Pollinator Garden and the other landscape plantings created in past years. The garden received certification from the UMaine Cooperative Extension Service. • Participation in the community fair. Our 2021 topic was “Alternatives to Plastic”. • Annual Seed giveaway was held in the Library this year. • Invasive Plant Species presentation by the Harpswell Invasive Plant Project. The talk was videotaped and available for community viewing. • In May, the ERC invited Rob Cotiaux, NG Forester, to give a presentation on invasive species in our area, and brainstorm possible educational opportunities for the community. New projects included: • Apparel Impact Bins: The purpose of the bin is to collect worn and torn textile items (clothing, shoes, etc.). After presenting to the Select Board, the Board approved a six-month trial period for one collection bin to be installed at the Transfer Station in January 2022. In the six month trial period, 2,010 lbs of textiles were collected. The Select Board approved to continue hosting a bin. • Compost Bin Sale: ERC worked with Maine Resource Recovery Association to offer backyard compost bins at a reduced price in an effort to encourage composting rather than putting kitchen and yard waste in the Transfer Station hopper. There were more people interested than we had bins to offer, and we sold 30 bins to NG residents. • Sapling Giveaway: The ERC had the opportunity to facilitate a sapling giveaway. A large donation of saplings was made available to the public. The ERC helped with sign-ups and with distribution of the saplings. In September 2021, the ERC voted to support the Lower Village RRCT Project in the gathering of information and input from the public. ERC member Doug Smith has represented the ERC in the ongoing process. Another ongoing project the ERC has been facilitating by gathering information are possible Solar Power projects for New Gloucester. The Select Board tasked the committee to research various options and present this information to the Select Board.

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