Town of Mamaroneck Designated 'Certified Climate Smart Community' By State

MAMARONECK, NY — The Town of Mamaroneck was designated a Certified Climate Smart Community by the state Department of Environmental Conservation.

At an event at Mamaroneck’s Hommocks Conservation Area, DEC Acting Regional Director Kelly Turturro congratulated Mamaroneck Supervisor Nancy Seligson and presented her with street signs declaring Mamaroneck a Certified Climate Smart Community.

Ulster County was awarded bronze-level certification at the county’s “Sustainable Parking Lot Party” in Kingston September 17.

DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos said he applauds Mamaroneck and Ulster County for their commitment to reducing energy use in government operations.

“These communities are models for other to follow, with committed teams who bridge the gap between traditional government silos and achieve an exceptional level of integration of climate concerns into daily decision making,” he said.

The Town of Mamaroneck achieved certification points under each of the 10 Climate Smart Communities pledge elements, according to a spokeswoman.

Mamaroneck is reducing greenhouse gas emissions by using software to closely track emissions from municipal operations, upgrading lighting in municipal buildings, and has converted 100 percent of its streetlights to LED technology.

In addition, the town’s land-use policies protect local trees, wetlands, and waterways. Mamaroneck also advanced creative solutions to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, including running the town’s sanitation trucks on vegetable oil recovered from local restaurants. Since 2008, these innovative trucks have displaced fossil fuels, saved taxpayer dollars through reduced fuel costs, and kept resources cycling at the local level.

Photo caption: From left, Kelly Turturro and Nancy Seligson. Photo credit: Town of Mamaroneck.