Windham ad hoc committee advances composting permit, geothermal planning and tree-planting plans

The Windham Sustainability/Energy Ad Hoc group used its June 15 meeting to review and coordinate a series of sustainability projects aimed at advancing the town's Sustainable CT goals.

Municipal organics and composting: Committee members reported the DEEP-funded regional composter permit is about 95.5% complete and that Public Works is finalizing operational plans. The preferred operational model is a 20'25-foot unit serviced about every three days; funding advocates prefer a single 40-foot unit and a "two-20s" compromise was discussed. The committee reviewed container plans (approximately 96-gallon containers for schools and 7'10-gallon containers for households), and recorded that Windham Public Schools and residents would not be charged for five years. Eastern/SECOG interns were identified as potential education and startup support. Committee members noted a DEEP regulation effective July 1, 2026 that will require schools generating 26 tons or more per year within 20 miles of an organics facility to participate.

Third Thursday composting: On-site compost sorting at the town's Third Thursday events has paused because of lost funding and staffing; the group discussed hiring a paid attendant at roughly $200 per event or using town funds to restore service. Committee member Dawn Niles noted current budget constraints and said the committee will consider timing after the composter permit and operational plan are finalized.

Trees, murals and outreach: The town applied for a $5,000 matching grant to replant trees at Town Hall (two along Main Street and one at a side entrance) and discussed dedicating a tree to the Sustainability Committee if the grant is awarded. A chalk-mural activation at Third Thursday drew strong youth engagement and is being documented for Sustainable CT certification points.

Geothermal and solar: A geothermal ad hoc subgroup is being proposed to scope a Main Street corridor from Stop & Shop to the sewer plant and include town buildings and possibly the public safety complex; funding pathways discussed include state and federal grants and C-PACE, and low-income community status may improve grant scoring. The Town Manager was previously authorized to enter an agreement for a solar carport at the Community Center; committee members emphasized follow-up to keep solar projects moving, and committee member Hedley Freake said he would email the Town Manager with the solar link for the town web page.

Arts and planning inputs: The committee will design a Poet Laureate selection process led by external experts, with Committee member Susan Johnson to lead outreach to Eastern. Members also agreed to feed sustainability priorities into the Plan of Conservation & Development prepared by Planning & Zoning. The group set a target to complete Climate Action requirements by the end of summer to position Windham for Sustainable CT Gold by next spring.

Next steps: The committee will await final DEEP approval and an operational plan before broader outreach and implementation; Dawn Niles will forward grant and membership materials to the Council when appropriate. No formal votes were recorded at the June 15 meeting.