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Climate Action Plan
November 21st, 2023
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Cassie Tragert, Conservation Agent
Email: ctragert@easthamptonma.gov
City of Easthampton Planning Department Holds its Next Community Workshop for Development of the Climate Action Plan on December 7th at 6pm at City Hall.
Learn more at the project webpage: https://easthamptonma.gov/728/Climate-Action-Plan
Since funding was awarded in February 2023, the City of Easthampton has been partnering with Weston & Sampson to continue to develop a Climate Action Plan (CAP) to achieve net-zero carbon emissions in the City. A crucial element of this process is obtaining input from residents and local businesses through community workshops.
On Thursday, December 7th, 2023 at 6pm, residents, landlords, and business owners are encouraged to join the City Planning Department at City Hall for its next community workshop. This will be the third event held by the department with Weston & Sampson toward this effort and it will be the last workshop in this series. This workshop will be focused on reviewing the actions to be included in the final CAP. Weston & Sampson will present the specific action items they’ve identified for inclusion in the final plan and attendees will have the opportunity to both help prioritize these actions as well as suggest additional actions that could be included. These suggestions can include anything ranging from infrastructure projects, projects to help residents implement green changes, and new ordinances/City policies (like a tree saving ordinances, new zoning rules for new development, and much more).
The CAP will serve as a roadmap for local businesses, residents, and the municipal offices to achieve a cleaner, net-zero carbon emitting City. The plan will examine the work we’ve already
done and identify what City offices, residents, and local businesses can do next to make the most of the coming State and Federal incentives to support these improvements. The development of
the CAP will also result in recommendations for increasing the City’s resiliency through an analysis of our existing resiliency work and plans.
No registration is required prior to the event and both virtual access and in-person access will be available. Food and childcare will also be provided to attendees throughout the duration of the event. Can't make it? The event will be recorded and posted on the City website. Any subsequent comments can be sent to Cassie Tragert, the Conservation Agent at ctragert@easthamptonma.gov or 413-529-1463.
Climate Action Plan: Community Workshop
Date/Time: Thursday, December 7th at 6:00pm
In-Person Location: 2nd Floor Meeting Room, City Hall, 50 Payson Avenue
Virtual Link: https://meet.google.com/nma-kmck-qpk
Dial-In #: 1-702-930-9848
PIN: 337 984 440#
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September 27th, 2023
CAP Community Workshop
The Planning Department and the Energy Advisory Committee held a Community Workshop hosted by Weston & Sampson. The purpose of the workshop was to help craft the Climate Action Plan for our City. Residents, Landlords, and Business owners were all welcome to attend and had the opportunity to shape the plan itself. At the workshop, attendees discussed their experience and opinion on carbon emission reducing actions for their homes and/or businesses. Community members also provided input on how the City can better support residents and businesses in saving energy/reducing carbon emissions. Lastly, the workshop was an opportunity for people to learn about existing tools and opportunities for energy saving from the City and the State.
Click the image below to watch the 9/27/2023 Community Workshop
Recent Documents
Printable Versions of the Survey
September 5, 2023
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Cassie Tragert, Conservation Agent
Contact Email: conservation@easthamptonma.gov
Climate Action Plan Development Seeks Community Input
Through Survey and Upcoming Event
Easthampton, MA - The City of Easthampton Planning Department and Energy Advisory Committee is continuing its effort with the consulting firm Weston & Sampson to develop a Climate Action Plan (CAP). The CAP will provide a City-Wide roadmap to becoming a Net-Zero carbon-emitting City and to create actions for the City and residents to undertake in response to climate change. At this stage, the City is working to get critical input from residents and business owners through multiple avenues.
A 10-minute survey is available for anyone interested in sharing their thoughts and experiences related to Climate Change, heating and cooling bills, challenges with extreme weather conditions, and more. No matter what your living situation (renting/owning, etc.), input from all residents is welcome and appreciated. The Planning Department is also seeking survey responses from business owners in Easthampton (whether they own their spaces or not) as well as landlords in the City.
The survey can be found at this link: https://tinyurl.com/EasthamptonCAPSurvey
In addition to the survey, an in-person brainstorming event will be held on September 27th. The community workshop will be held at City Hall (50 Payson Avenue, Top Floor) ant 6pm. More information will be added to the City Webpage for the project. The event will allow residents and local business owners/landlords to help shape the plan. Attendees will participate in identifying action items to include, determining what key elements are most important to highlight, and how the City should achieve its climate goals. Professionals from Weston & Sampson will be present to help guide discussion and facilitate planning exercises.
More information on the September 27th event will be available on the project webpage at this link: https://easthamptonma.gov/728/Climate-Action-Plan
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June 28th, 2023
CAP Informational Meeting
The Planning Department and the Energy Advisory Committee held an Informational Meeting hosted by Weston & Sampson. The purpose of the meeting was to provide information on the Climate Action Plan and how it will be developed. Residents, Landlords, and Business owners were all welcome to attend and had the opportunity to learn about climate change, the purpose of the plan, and how it will be made. There was some participation by attendees through from polling activities and question answering, however the purpose of the event was mainly educational at this stage.
Click the image below to watch the 6/28/2023 Informational Meeting
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June 1, 2023
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Cassie Tragert, Conservation Agent
Email: ctragert@easthamptonma.gov
City of Easthampton launches survey for resident and local business input on Climate
Action Plan. To be showcased at the June 10th Cultural Chaos event and a virtual event on
June 28th.
Take the 10-minute survey now at this link: https://tinyurl.com/EasthamptonCAPSurvey
To register for the for the virtual information event, click here: ClimateActionMeeting.eventbrite.com
Easthampton, MA - The City of Easthampton has been partnering with Weston & Sampson to continue to develop a Climate Action Plan (CAP) to achieve net-zero carbon emissions in the City since funding was awarded in February 2023. A crucial element of this process is obtaining input from residents and local businesses beginning with a new comprehensive survey.
“The survey should only take about 10 minutes to complete and will not only provide critical data for the development of the plan, but will also allow people to sign-up to get more involved in the rest of the CAP development process if they’re interested. This survey is just one of multiple other outreach methods that will be used to gather input from our community going forward, but it is an excellent way to reach a large number of people in an easy to use system. We hope people will stop by our table at Cultural Chaos on June 10 th to learn more about this project and share their thoughts. We’ll be highlighting other major projects being pursued by the Planning Department at our booth as well and look forward to enjoying the day with our neighbors.” said Conservation Agent, Cassie Tragert.
The CAP will serve as a roadmap for local businesses, residents, and the municipal offices to achieve a cleaner, net-zero carbon emitting City. The plan will examine the work we’ve already done and identify what City offices, residents, and local businesses can do next to make the most of the coming State and Federal incentives to support these improvements. The development of the plan will also result in recommendations for increasing the City’s resiliency through an analysis of our existing resiliency work and plans.
“We’re hoping to get as much participation in the survey from our community as possible. The more local voices we can incorporate in the making of the Climate Action Plan, the more tailored the final roadmap will be to our City’s needs and goals. People who take the survey will have the opportunity to share their experience with fossil fuel use, actions they’ve taken (or are interested in taking) to reduce their climate impact, and explain barriers they’ve faced toward reducing their dependence on fossil fuels.”, said Mayor LaChapelle
In addition to showcasing the Climate Action Plan project along with the new public survey at the June 10th Cultural Chaos event, the City will also be holding a virtual informational event on June 28th. This online event will be hosted by the City and its consultant team at Weston & Sampson. The focus of the event will be on providing more detailed information to the public on what the Climate Action Plan is, how it is being created, and what to expect going forward. It will also provide an opportunity for those interested to sign up to be notified of additional events in the future which will provide opportunities for people to participate in activities which will directly impact the final Climate Action Plan.
Take the 10-minute survey now at this link: https://tinyurl.com/EasthamptonCAPSurvey
To register for the for the virtual information event, click here: ClimateActionMeeting.eventbrite.com
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February 8, 2023
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Cassie Tragert, Conservation Agent
Email: ctragert@easthamptonma.gov
City of Easthampton awarded $50,000 from the Department of Revenue, Division of Local Services FY23 Best Practices Community Compact Program for funding assistance in the development of a Climate Action Plan.
The City of Easthampton was recently awarded $50,000 from the Massachusetts Department of Revenue, Division of Local Services via the Best Practices Community Compact Program. The award is for financial assistance in the hiring of Weston & Sampson to develop a City-Wide Climate Action Plan (CAP). The plan will determine a realistic timeline for the City to achieve net-zero carbon emissions through actions identified in the Plan.
“This project demonstrates the concerted and coordinated effort of my office, the Planning Department, and the Energy Advisory Committee to reduce the use of fossil fuels and carbon emissions in the City as a whole. Through this effort, the City will align itself with energy efficiency and sustainability goals established by the State while also providing a means of achieving these goals that is tailored to our residents needs and concerns. This Climate Action Plan will guide our community to achieving a cleaner, more efficient, and sustainable future.”, said Mayor Nicole LaChapelle.
The CAP will serve as a roadmap for local businesses, residents, and the municipal offices to achieve a cleaner, net-zero carbon emitting City. The plan will examine the work we’ve already done and identify what City offices, residents, and local businesses can do next to make the most of the coming State and Federal incentives to support these improvements. The development of the plan will also result in recommendations for increase the City’s resiliency through an analysis of our existing resiliency work and plans.
“The need to take on the development of this comprehensive plan has been emphasized since the City Council passed its resolution declaring a Climate Emergency in 2021. The City has been working towards increasing our resiliency to the impacts of Climate Change through previous actions such as continuing our commitment to maintain our Green Community designation, utilizing Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness planning and action grants, and establishing EV Chargers and Valley Bike connections.”, said City Planner, Jeff Bagg.
The Best Practices Community Compact Program grant application to help supplement the cost of the development of the CAP as well as the crafting of the scope of services to be followed by Weston & Sampson were completed in collaboration between the Conservation Agent Cassie Tragert, the Energy Advisory Committee, and the Planning Department. Commitment to securing funding opportunities to reduce the City’s dependence on fossil fuels was solidified by the Mayor pledging to utilize ARPA funding to provide the additional $100,000 needed to develop the plan.
“Creating a clear and comprehensive plan is crucial in eliminating the City’s dependence on fossil fuels. After identifying an achievable timeline and specific means of accomplishing net-zero carbon emissions, the plan will include guidance on tracking our progress and establishing benchmark goals. The plan will also have a special emphasis on learning from and supporting our Environmental Justice communities who are most vulnerable to the threats of Climate Change. Public outreach will be an integral part of the creation of this plan as well as collaboration with various Boards, Committees, and departments within the City which will help to ensure that it is designed specifically for success in our community.”, said Agent Tragert.
The plan will work to evaluate and incorporate the numerous on-going projects towards combating Climate Change already underway. This includes the Honeywell energy efficiency improvements, implementation of the Green Infrastructure Master Plan (including improvements to Cherry Street and Emerald Place), the development of a City-wide Pollinator Plan, and pursuit of conversion of the City’s fleet to electric vehicles. The City recently finalized its contract with Weston & Sampson to begin working to develop the Climate Action Plan within the next month and it will take a little over one year to complete the plan. Community members are encouraged to stay tuned for requests for input and public meetings to come.