State Rep. Peggy Reeves and award-recipient Bruce Hampson

“This award is an honor that is shared with the members of the Wilton Energy Commission and with the members of the High School Renovation Building Committee,” said Hampson who received the award in part because of his work overseeing the state of the art energy conserving features at Wilton High School.

Hampson added, “The bottom line is that although we have added 200 tons of classroom air-conditioning and provide four times the fresh air than when the high school was built, we are using less energy and consequently emitting less greenhouse gases than before the renovation.”

Hampson was also honored for implementing an EPA Energy Star benchmarking of all municipal and school buildings, which led to a combined electrical use reduction of 12.2% from 2007 through 2009, for a cost savings to the Town of Wilton of approximately $150,000. He was also recognized for his work promoting clean energy, including creative campaigns to increase signups for the CT Clean Energy Options program that earned Wilton a free solar photovoltaic system under the Clean Energy Communities program.

State Representative Peggy Reeves, who represents Norwalk and Wilton in the Connecticut General Assembly, accompanied Hampson to yesterday’s ceremony along with members of the Wilton Energy Commission, the Superintendant of Schools, Dr. Gary Richards, and the former Chair of the Wilton Board of Education, Karen Birck.

“I am so proud of what Bruce has accomplished and am honored to be with him here today,” said Reeves. “The Town of Wilton has actually reduced its carbon footprint as a direct result of Bruce and the Wilton Energy Commission’s work”

The Climate Change Leadership Awards Program is an annual program developed by the Governor’s Steering Committee on Climate Change to recognize individuals and organizations that have taken exemplary action in the past year to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate change. The Governor’s Steering Committee, established in 2003, is charged with leading a collaborative effort to develop and implement the Connecticut Climate Change Action Plan and the Connecticut Global Warming Solutions Act.

Representative Peggy Reeves is serving her first term representing most of Wilton and part of Norwalk in the 143rd Assembly District. Representative Reeves sits on the legislature’s Government Administration and Elections, Judiciary and Transportation Committees.

Only 1% of plastic bags are recycled

The idea of emulating Westport’s ban on plastic bags at retail checkout is gaining momentum here in Wilton.

Jonathan Cunitz, who was the mastermind behind the plastic bag ordinance adopted in Westport a year ago gave a very well received presentation at the Board of Selectman meeting on February 1^st.

A Bi-partisan Initiative

We have a responsibility to protect our waterways for our children and grandchildren.- Congressman HimesAlthough Democratic Congressman Jim Himes has written a letter in strong support of the initiative, the issue is not a partisan one. In Westport, the ordinance passed with overwhelming support of elected officials from both political parties. Likewise, here in Wilton, both the Democratic and Republican Town leaders were very receptive to the idea.

But buy-in from elected leaders is only the first step in Wilton successfully emulating our neighboring town in this important initiative. Community outreach, to both the citizens of Wilton and local merchants will be critical. Ending the flood of plastic bags that clog our waterways, kill wildlife, and last forever in huge floating islands in our oceans will require that each of us do our part.

Q & A on What the Plastic Bag Ordinance Would Mean for Wilton

As we begin considering this as a community, the DTC would like to share some questions that surfaced at our recent meeting:

1. QWhat about the cost?
   AIn Westport, many merchants sold (for a few dollars) or gave away branded reusable bags as a form of advertising, so we anticipate that costs Wiltonians would be nominal. For retailers, the proposed ordinance would prevent them from giving away plastic bags for free. As Wiltonians begin regularly using the environmentally-friendly bags, merchants would save on their purchases of plastic bags.

2. QAren’t paper bags just environmentally-bad?
   AIn many cases, that is true given the high carbon footprint of converting trees into paper bags. But what the ordinance is proposing is a move from plastic bags to reusable cloth bags.

3. QDoes bringing reusable bags into stores pose health risks?
   AA good question, but it is hard to see that there would be any greater risk of spreading germs from reusable bags than from the clothes we wear and purses and backpacks many folks regularly carry into stores.

4. QHas Westport’s ban been successful?
   AAn adoption study is underway now, but anecdotally, many reusable bags are now widely used in Westport.

What’s on your mind?

Do you have questions about this initiative or ideas on how we might implement it? Selectmen Ted Hoffstatter would love to hear from you via email or phone at (203) 451-5049.

Ted Hoffstatter

This past year, the Town of Westport passed an ordinance banning plastic retail checkout bags. To clarify, this ordinance only applies to the bags you get when you checkout of an establishment, not those used for deli, produce – or the cleaners, a frame shop, etc. – there are common sense exceptions.

Why bother? How can one town matter? Although the plastic garbage patch twice the size of Texas, which sits in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, seems so far away, and colossal in size compared to the Town of Wilton, we can still make a difference.

While our garbage in Connecticut is incinerated, many retail bags seem to escape the fire, and end up in the Norwalk River, and then Long Island Sound. That hits home. But it’s also about the bigger picture. With the plastic lobby as strong as it is, it is very difficult for a state or federal branch of government to pass legislation with a real effect on reducing the amount of plastic that finds its way into our waterways, and eventually, our oceans.

For Wilton, It’s Mission Possible

An Ocean Turtle Struggles with a Deadly Plastic Bag

While this may seem to be mission impossible at the state and federal levels, this is not an impossible mission for municipalities. Meaningful change can really come from the grass roots. Furthermore, this effort crosses party lines. The ordinance in Westport passed the RTM 25-5-1, with widespread support from Republicans and Democrats. The ordinance was also supported by the Westport Chamber of Commerce as well as the Downtown Merchants’ Association.

Environmentally & Fiscally Responsible

Wait… it gets better. The ordinance does not cost the taxpayer! The ordinance has been in effect for six months, and there have been no legal challenges; no violations. Businesses also have a grace period to use the plastic bags they have already purchased. Enforcement is not a burden.

If we can help this effort to catch fire, that would be very meaningful. We have a unique opportunity here in Wilton to take a leadership role in a major environmental issue that affects all of us. We are in a very tough budget year; the good news is that this step forward does not cost us any money, just a small amount of time and effort.

Attend the Board of Selectman Meeting to Learn More

This issue will appear as an agenda item at our Board of Selectmen Meeting on Monday, February 1^st, at 7:30pm. Jonathan Cunitz, a member of the Westport RTM and mastermind of the Westport ordinance, will give a presentation. Please attend! If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me via email or phone at (203) 451-5049.

Ted Hoffstatter
Member, Board of Selectman