Kent selectmen re-form sustainability team

KENT — The Board of Selectmen voted to “re-energize” the Kent Sustainability Team at the Nov. 19 regular meeting, formally appointing three members to its board with the possibility to grow.

First Selectman Marty Lindenmayer motioned to “reassemble” the Kent Sustainability Team as a subcommittee of the BOS with three members: Selectman Lynn Worthington, Kent Land Trust Executive Director Connie Manes, who was present at the meeting, and Joanne Wasti, who is technically a sitting member of the Team and was enthusiastic about revitalizing its activities, Manes told the selectmen. The subcommittee will be operational with the three-member lineup, but may seek to appoint new members as it picks up momentum.

The group was initially formed via a resolution approved by the BOS in 2021 to enable the town to participate in the Sustainable CT Municipal Certification Program. The program awards towns with bronze, silver, or gold status based on actions that align with Sustainable CT’s mission, which is “to foster inclusive, resilient, and vibrant Connecticut municipalities that provide opportunities for all to thrive by … all while respecting the finite capacity of the natural environment.”

Worthington maintained that the Kent Sustainability Team began organizing efforts towards Sustainable CT accreditation, but lost momentum. Worthington declared that the reformed and revitalized Team will “implement a series of tasks and actions” that will bring the town to a minimum bronze certification.