Energy Task Force Receives Conservation Award

By Andrew Gorosko

Members of the Newtown Energy Task Force this week received an award from the Northwest Conservation District, honoring the task force for its leadership toward the municipal use of clean, renewable energy sources.

Task force Chairman Dan Holmes accepted the award from town Conservation Official Rob Sibley on behalf of the group in ceremonies at the conservation district’s annual dinner meeting, which was held October 20 at The Inn at Newtown.

Governor M. Jodi Rell recently honored Newtown with a proclamation, congratulating the town for its commitment to clean energy usage. The town has made a commitment to purchase 26 percent of its municipal electricity needs through renewable energy providers, placing the town in the top rank of energy conservation efforts in the state.

The conservation district’s award to the Energy Task Force notes the group’s achievement in energy conservation and sustainable living.

In comments at the annual meeting, Mr Holmes said, “I feel that we’re just scratching the surface” in terms of what can be accomplished in the field of energy conservation.

The group is considering the use of solar power as an alternative energy source, he said. The ad hoc task force has members with various forms of expertise aiding it in its work, he said.

Mr Holmes lauded Curtis Packaging, a container manufacturer in Sandy Hook, for its efforts to help the task force.

The Torrington-based conservation district is a regional group formed in 1953 to further natural resources conservation. It also works toward the goal of energy conservation.

Also at its annual meeting, the conservation district honored several other groups for their work to create a more sustainable future.

The Northwestern Regional School District was honored for its plans to draw one-third of its electricity from solar panels. The school district serves Barkhamsted, Colebrook, New Hartford, and Norfolk.

New Milford Hospital was awarded for its work with the Plow-To-Plate program, which helps the hospital cafeteria staff serve fresh, local food while supporting local farmers.

Also, the Flanders Nature Center of Woodbury received an award for its continued work toward the appreciation of nature and the stewardship of the of Earth.