Implemented Projects
Projects/Work Completed or Ongoing from 2022:
- created and maintain a pollinator garden at J. H. Ketcham Memorial Park in Dover Plains planted with assistance of local Girl Scouts
- continued development of a sustainability chapter for the Town’s Comprehensive Plan Update
- established a Pollinator Pathway working group to promote new public and private pollinator gardens
- Town acquired 170-acre Seven Wells parcel as public park addition to the Dover Stone Church Preserve
- adopted the intermunicipal Ten Mile River Watershed Mgmt. Plan (developed with assistance from HVA)
- earthwork at JHK Park to clear areas of Ten Mile River waterfront access for future fishing and kayak access
- began data input on electric and fuel usage benchmarking at town facilities (Town Hall and Highway Garage)
- upgraded Town Hall to LED lighting fixtures with $5,000 Clean Energy Communities grant funding.
Plans for work/projects in 2023:
- investigate funding for constructing fishing platform and kayak launch at J. H. Ketcham Park
- complete sustainability chapter and include in recently adopted Town Comprehensive Plan Update
- continue Pollinator Pathway work group meetings to facilitate additional public and private pollinator gardens
- install child-friendly sensory planters at the children’s playground at J. H. Ketcham Park
- determine next action items achieved and needed to apply for NYS CSC Silver-level certification
- a Town Zoning Code Update Committee is currently working on commercial solar development legislation.
Plans for work/projects in 2024:
- adopt sustainability chapter as a supplement of Town Comprehensive Plan Update and begin implementation of projects
- conduct benchmarking of utilities usage of primary municipal buildings and achieve Clean Energy Communities High Impact action points
- conduct community solar campaign for residents to reduce monthly electricity expenses
- adopt town legislation regulating solar energy development land use projects