Simsbury Makes Commitment To Sustainability

SIMSBURY, CT — In one of its final acts before next month's elections, the Simsbury Board of Selectmen last week endorsed a town plan to incorporate sustainability in town policy.

Selectmen voted unanimously Oct. 15 to endorse the Simsbury Sustainability Committee's recent "Sustainability Plan," but did so without any firm commitments to specific action items.

Before the vote, the plan's details were unveiled by committee chairperson Jami Lewchik.

According to the committee, the sustainability plan builds on the 2024 Simsbury Plan of Conservation and Development that emphasizes energy efficiency and renewable energy in town.

As an example, Lewchik said many neighboring towns are saving hundreds of thousands of dollars each year by installing solar panels on their schools.

Among the plan's points are:

• Establishing energy efficiency guidelines for new construction.

• Calling on the boards of selectmen and education to produce 50 percent of their energy use with solar by 2030.

• Promoting solar and battery storage with town residents and businesses with a goal of 50 percent solar energy by 2035.

• Considering zero-emission HVAC systems when replacing old HVAC systems.

Republican Selectman Kevin Beal, who served as the board's liaison to the sustainability group, said taxpayers, ultimately, could benefit by the plan.

"I've enjoyed working with this group that's committed to a sustainable future," said Beal, adding that sustainability can save tax dollars, which is what makes the plan so impactful.

"We've already seen, for instance, savings in transportation in the police department when we've moved to hybrid-electric vehicles to support their work," Beal said, adding other town departments could benefit from such vehicles.

Simsbury First Selectman Wendy Mackstutis said accepting the plan could serve as a guide regarding the budget process of future boards.

But she said, the plan does not mean automatic approval for any actions in line with sustainability.

Each, she said, must still be subject to budgetary and feasibility review.

Mackstutis motioned to endorse the plan under the pretext that "no projects will proceed without appropriate reviews."

For more information on the Simsbury Sustainability Committee, click on this link.

For the complete Simsbury Sustainability Plan, click on this link.