Middleburg sustainability committee asks council for $5,000 to support tree-planting, composting and outreach

The Middleburg Sustainability Committee asked the Town Council on Monday to approve $5,000 in town support to fund short-term projects including expanded cleanup days, seedling protection for Arbor Day plantings, and an art exhibit linking local nature to the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

The committee’s chair, Lynn Kaye, told the council the group’s overarching goal is “to create a safe microclimate for the town” by increasing foliage and rainwater capture, improving soil health and reducing commercial food waste through composting. She said addendum materials sent earlier to council summarize research showing the town receives more rainfall than it captures and that hotels and buffets generate substantial food waste that could be composted.

Council members and committee members said the committee’s recommendations are achievable and welcomed. Council liaison Peter (last name not specified in the transcript) praised the committee’s expertise and volunteering. Alfred Pollard and other council members urged the committee to focus on two or three measurable projects this year and to define clear metrics of success.

Kaye outlined how the $5,000 would be used: vendors for unused-item recycling, tree-planting and seedling protection materials, promotion and materials for cleanup and wellness day events, and costs for the proposed art project. She asked for council review and adoption of proposed changes to the town ordinance that establishes the sustainability committee, staff support to identify town property suitable for additional trees and foliage, marketing support for outreach, and general coordination with town staff.

Town Manager Danny Davis told the council he would have staff (mister Moore and mister Mead, per transcript) work with Kaye and committee members to draft ordinance language and avoid conflicts with other committees’ responsibilities. Several council members recommended narrower, measurable objectives and suggested recording events (video) and partnering with local interns and businesses as outreach strategies.

Council members indicated general consensus to support the request and to work with the committee on ordinance edits, implementation steps and staff support. No formal vote to appropriate funds was recorded in the transcript during the presentation; Davis said staff would prepare ordinance language and next steps for formal adoption or appropriation at a future meeting.

The committee members present included Alfred Pollard, Christina Tonda and Megan Tuttle; Kaye said interns from Foxcroft have participated in the committee’s work.

Committee materials and an addendum were submitted to council in advance and include data on well water, rain capture opportunities, and local food-waste estimates. The committee asked the town to consider expanding cleanup-day events, increasing tree planting on town property, testing commercial food-waste composting options, researching ways to improve soil health after construction disturbance, and producing outreach content for the town website and social channels.

The council asked staff to continue working with the committee and to return with draft ordinance language and a plan for next steps.