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Council renews Green Team agreements: Todd Park food forest and Hutchins Park composting introduced on first reading
Summary
Council introduced and adopted on first reading two ordinances renewing agreements with the Havre de Grace Green Team for a Todd Park food forest (11‑63) and composting collection at Hutchins Park (11‑64); council and public commenters cited diversion of roughly 96 tons of food waste since 2020.
Speakers from the Havre de Grace Green Team and volunteer supporters told the council on Sept. 16 about two community programs: the Todd Park Food Forest and a composting collection at Hutchins Park. Danielle Wolf and Carol Zimmerman described the food forest as a volunteer‑maintained public planting established in 2016 with adopters and publicly available fruit and berries. Zimmerman also summarized recent Bird City achievements and upcoming birding events connected to the Green Team.
Council member Boyer moved to introduce ordinance 11‑63 to enter an agreement with the Havre de Grace Green Team for the Todd Park food forest (a two‑year renewal of a 2018 memorandum). The ordinance was introduced and adopted on first reading by roll call (6‑0); a public hearing was scheduled for Oct. 7.
Council then introduced ordinance 11‑64 to renew the MOU for composting collection at Hutchins Park with Garrity Renewables LLC. Supporters noted the program has diverted about 96 tons of food waste from the landfill since mid‑2020, and council described the cost as negligible compared with landfill disposal. The ordinance passed first reading by roll call (6‑0); a public hearing was scheduled for Oct. 7.
Council encouraged volunteers and noted both programs are open to all residents; the Green Team will continue volunteer recruitment and public education.
