Plymouth Holds Environmental Roundtable

In Dec 2022, the Town of Plymouth held a roundtable discussion with a variety of environmentally focused organizations. This first ever Town environmental roundtable provided a platform for community groups to build collaboration and share updates on projects they are working on. The meeting was organized by Mark Reil, who was hired in July into the vital role of Climate Resiliency and Sustainability Planner. Mr. Reil explained, “this is a meeting I intend to hold on a regular basis, it is critical that we are all working together on Climate related issues. We cannot be successful if we are working in silos, and I intend to work with all of you to lead Plymouth in Climate preparedness as we face a changing world.” The Director of the Department of Marine and Environmental Affairs, David Gould and the Town Energy Officer, Patrick Farah also participated by providing important updates to the critical work they have undertaken in 2022.

This Plymouth environmental roundtable included representatives from the Open Space Planning Committee, Save the Pine Barrens Organization, Citizens Climate Lobby, Sustainable Plymouth, League of Women Voters, Whale and Dolphin Conservation, Dept. of Marine and Environmental Affairs, Indigenous Resource Collaborative, and Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe. Art Desloges, member of the Climate Action NetZero Advisory Committee (CANZ), remarked, “what a great assembly of civic groups all committed to building a Climate resilient and sustainable Plymouth”.

An important strategy for Plymouth’s progress in sustainability is to receive the MA State Green Communities designation. This designation will unlock impactful funds in State grants to help the Town of Plymouth reduce their energy consumption by 20% over five years. In addition to cutting greenhouse gas emissions, reducing energy costs, and fostering renewable energy, Plymouth will become a clean energy leader and a better place to live, work, and play. The Town has received notice that the Plymouth Green Communities application has been received by the MA Department of Energy Resources and the Town anxiously awaits the Green Community designation.

The Climate resilient and sustainable Plymouth effort is further bolstered by the formation to a new town committee chartered with helping develop the Climate Action Net Zero Emissions Plan and build out a roadmap for a resilient & sustainable Plymouth. The chief role of the CANZ committee is to work collaboratively with Mr. Reil to ensure community values are embedded in the plan.

Additionally, Mr. Reil noted that his work includes the acquisition of up to five electric vehicles for the municipal vehicle fleet combined with funding from the Commonwealth. He predicted the EV fleet and supporting charging stations will continue to expand in the future.

Judy Savage, Chair of CANZ, concluded the round table by saying, “Plymouth is fortunate to have a vibrant network of committed citizens that has already accomplished what many of our surrounding towns wish they had. It’s time to get the word out that Plymouth is well on the way to Climate Resilience and Sustainability. I invite everyone to participate.”

By Art Desloges

Citizens Advisory NetZero Committee