Published February 1, 2019
By MARK SARDELLA
WAKEFIELD — The town will soon have another committee to look after the environment.
The Town Council this week voted to create an “Environmental Sustainability Committee” that will, according to its mission statement, “work with the Town Administrator, Town Departments, Boards and Commissions to assist and advise on ways to encourage balanced and responsible environmental stewardship.”
The new committee was the idea of Town Councilor Julie Smith-Galvin. She said that most people identify Wakefield with Lake Quannapowitt, which she called “a high-profile sustainable asset.”
Smith-Galvin maintained that sustainability could be applied to much of what the town does. She noted that, among other things, the DPW has made rain barrels available to the public and a couple of private composting companies are currently operating in Wakefield. She said that she saw the new committee building on what is already being done.
Securing grants and offering education were also roles she saw for the new committee. According to a memorandum approved by the Town Council, other committee functions would include:
1) Review and comment on town policies and practices to determine opportunities for improved and cost-effective sustainability programs, such as conservation, waste reduction and energy efficiencies
2) Engage with town departments and committees/commissions on existing or proposed initiatives
3) Identify resources, grants, and programs that can reinforce sustainability goals
4) Propose, encourage and promote local sustainability projects and initiatives (Rain Barrel, composting, recycling)
5) Engage in public awareness and education.
After some discussion, the Town Council settled on the composition for the yet-to-be-appointed Environmental Sustainability Committee. It will include a member of the Town Council, a member of the WMGLD, a member of the School Committee, a member of the DPW staff, four members of the public and a student liaison to be added as a non-voting member.
Not every member of the Town Council was 100 percent sold on the committee. Edward Dombroski had some reservations. He noted that the town already has a Conservation Commission and a Board of Public Works that deal with some of the same functions as those outlined for proposed committee. He wondered whether it might make more sense to shore up the town’s existing resources than create a new committee.
Town Councilor Ann Santos said that she didn’t mind a little redundancy, adding that she wasn’t convinced that the Conservation Commission or the Board of Public Works would be able to take on the functions defined for the Environmental Sustainability Committee.
“If it doesn’t work out, we can disband it after a year,” she said.
Town Councilor Tony Longo agreed that the new committee should be given a shot. He agreed with Dombroski that the Town Council should appoint all the members. (The original proposal had the School Committee and the MGLD Commissioners each appointing one member.)
Town Councilor Mehreen Butt said that she hoped that the committee would look beyond public works issues to the whole town. She said that there was tremendous grant potential out there for all kinds of projects.
Ultimately, the Town Council vote to create the Environmental Sustainability Committee was unanimous.
