CCP Did You Know? Fact #5.

The "Did You Know?" Campaign highlights partnerships, connections, and collaborations between Wesleyan and the greater Middletown community. Every Tuesday and Thursday we will post a fact and send it out to WesLive, Middletown Eye, Facebook, Twitter, and beyond. Today's fact illustrates the problem-solving partnership between Wesleyan students and community businesses.

ECoin's First Project A Success

Middletown’s Environmental Collective Impact Network (ECoin) reached its first goal, resulting in a positive, measurable outcome for the environment. The group facilitated the retrofit of exit light signs, which replaced incandescent 40-watt bulbs with high efficiency 4-watt LEDs. The initial goal was to facilitate 50 retrofits, and ultimately 86 were done. Once the original goal of 50 was surpassed, the group re-set the goal to 100. However, it was hard to find that many more places around town that had incandescents that need to be retrofitted. The energy efficient exit signs were provided at no cost to local businesses and nonprofits, thanks to a $1,200 grant from the City of Middletown’s Clean Energy Task Force.

The reduced environmental impact of these 86 LED exit lights represents just over $4,000 worth of electricity per year, the equivalent of removing nearly 4 average cars from the road or reducing gasoline combustion by about 2,100 gallons per year. This was calculated using an online estimation tool on the Department of Energy's website. Changing one little thing like an exit sign might seem like a small step, but these signs are turned on and lighted at all times, so the savings really do add up when factored together. In the process of contacting facilities about the LED retrofits, ECoin incidentally introduced some businesses to energy efficiency programs and practices and started additional conversations encouraging businesses to go a step further on their own.

A little less than one year ago, ECoin was established to mutually reinforce the work being done by various groups to preserve the natural environment and improve the general quality of life in our city. ECoin now serves as a unifying force among local environmental nonprofits, city commissions, and representatives from the business community. It was created by John Hall through The Jonah Center for Earth and Art for the purpose of streamlining communications and concentrating efforts on specific goals, thus elevating the real measurable impact of environmental activism in Middletown. Hall explains that it is not always very clear if efforts around education and raising awareness really translate into positive impacts for the environment. He notes that multi-faceted problems call for pooling of expertise and concentrating actions. He stresses the importance of collaboration among members of the environmental community. And while it is a great demand to ask groups to dedicate more time to work together, it will eventually result in positive outcomes.

At regular ECoin meetings, participating organizations share information about their individual projects and support each other’s efforts. ECoin also went through a process of establishing goals and selecting and prioritizing specific projects for the group to work on together. The initial process took several months and entailed meetings with brainstorming for ideas and reviewing and vetting all the proposed projects. The high-level goals identified were energy efficiency, open space land preservation, waste management, low impact design, reduction in pesticide use, and making the city more bicycle and pedestrian friendly.

The proponents of these general areas wrote out specific achievable goals that would have a measurable effect on the environment. Next, each proposed goal was ranked using an elaborate scoring system that resulted in a list of projects ranked in order of priority. The criteria for ranking the projects included how well it fits in with the organization's overall goal, how achievable it is, and how easy it is to measure the impact.

Meetings are hosted by the Rockfall Foundation at the DeKoven House. Regular participants in ECoin include the City of Middletown’s Conservation Commission, Recycling Advisory Council, Urban Forestry Commission, and Clean Energy Task Force; South Church’s Earth Ministry; Wesleyan University’s Sustainability Department and the Center for the Arts; Middlesex Community College’s Sustainability Committee; Middletown Garden Club; and the Connecticut River Coastal Conservation District. Liberty Bank Foundation, the Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce, and St. Pius X Church have also attended meetings and expressed interest in supporting ECoin’s mission in the future.

In order to respect everyone's time, the group is very disciplined about keeping the meetings limited to one hour. Discussions focus on behavior rather than education. Soon, the group will be moving onto their next project with another specific goal in mind. For more information on ECoin’s activities or meetings, call John Hall at 860-398-3771 or visit http://www.thejonahcenter.org/mailform.php to email your question.

Members of ECoin pictured above, clockwise from top left: Katchen Coley, Krishna Winston, Jane Brawerman, John Hall, Jane Harris, Claire Rusowicz, Kim O'Rourke, Sheila Stoane

Construction of Middletown Canoe & Kayak Launch Begins

By John Hall and Kate Miller

Middletown’s Department of Public Works recently broke ground on the access driveway to the proposed canoe and kayak launch on the Coginchaug River. Located at the North End Peninsula along the west edge of the City’s Recycling Center, the launch will access the Coginchaug River just half a mile upstream from its confluence with the Mattabesset River and the Floating Meadows, an important freshwater tidal marsh. The area is a rare ecological gem in an urban setting, critical habitat for a wide diversity of plant and animal life including osprey, heron, wild rice, beaver, and native fish. 

The construction, which began last week, represents a significant milestone in the project’s long history. The Jonah Center for Earth and Art initially proposed the launch in 2005 and in 2007 helped the City secure a $50,000 U.S. Dept. of Transportation grant. The project was then shelved by the City indefinitely. The Coginchaug River Access Group (CRAG, a committee of the Jonah Center for Earth and Art) and the City’s Department of Planning, Conservation and Development resurrected the proposal in 2010 and determined the best location and design. The project is under construction now due to the commitment of Mayor Dan Drew, the support of CRAG members, and hard work by City staff. Final State DEEP regulatory approvals are now being sought.

The launch will be accessed near the entrance to the City’s Recycling Center at Johnson and North Main Streets (see the yellow dot on the aerial view photo). The driveway will go west, between the edge of the Recycling Center and railroad tracks to the launch ramp at the Coginchaug River (see the red dot on the aerial photo).

Mayor Dan Drew and Director of Public Works Bill Russo have agreed to use city resources to clear and pave the entrance way so that work closer to the water can be completed next spring or summer after all the DEEP permits have been approved. The goal is to have a functional launch by next season. Interlocking concrete pavers will be installed near the water’s edge to provide a safe, stable ramp where the public can launch small boats. Larger boats on trailers behind vehicles will not be allowed.

Construction of the ramp and turnaround near the water next summer will depend in part on some volunteer labor. Anyone interested and able to assist, especially those who can safely lift the 25 lb interlocking pavers, should contact the Jonah Center and CRAG through the website (here) or by calling 860-398-3771 to speak with John Hall.

The Jonah Center and CRAG wish to thank all those who have provided critical assistance with project to date, especially Mayor Dan Drew, the Mayor’s Chief of Staff Joe Samolis, City Planner Bill Warner, Environmental Specialist Matt Dodge, Public Works Director Bill Russo, and Engineer Joe Wren.

River Paddle, Saturday June 30

The Jonah Center for Earth and Art invites the public to a canoe and kayak paddle on the lower Mattabesset and Coginchaug Rivers this Saturday, June 30. The tour launches at 9 a.m. onto the Connecticut River from the boathouse ramp at 46 Harbor Drive in Middletown. Paddlers should return to the starting point within 3 hours after launching.

In addition to learning about the ecology of the river and freshwater tidal wetlands, participants will search for invasive and harmful water chestnut plants that have been found in other stretches of the river. Paddlers need to provide their own boats, paddles, drinking water, sunscreen, and life jackets.

To help cover insurance costs for this event, each participant is asked to make a $10 donation to the Jonah Center. In case of cancellation due to bad weather, the trip will be held on July 14 at 9 a.m. Call 860-398-3771 for more information or about possible weather-related postponement.

Reduce Home Energy Costs

(You’ve already paid for Home Energy Services through a charge on your utility bill. Now get the benefit!)

This is an excellent time to take advantage of subsidized home energy services offered to residents through the Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund. Your participation will save you money (approximately $250 per year), help reduce our whole society’s consumption of fossil fuels, and also help the Jonah Center.

Here is a link to a video describing this service http://www.ctenergyinfo.com/dpuc_home_energy_solutions.htm

To obtain this service through the Jonah Center, just go to our website and send us a message by clicking http://www.thejonahcenter.org/mailform.php Write “home energy” and we’ll get the necessary information from you.

Climate Change Reality Presentation Tonight

New Haven-based lawyer and land use specialist Marjorie Shansky will be offering a compelling “Climate Reality Presentation” to community members for free at Middletown’s Russell Library at 7 pm tonight (Monday, November 14.)

Founded and chaired by Al Gore, Nobel Laureate and former Vice President of the United States, The Climate Reality Project has more than 5 million members and supporters worldwide. It is guided by one simple assertion: The climate crisis is real and we know how to solve it. The Climate Reality Project is bringing the facts about the climate crisis into the mainstream and engaging the public in conversation about how to solve it. It is designed to help citizens around the world discover the truth and take meaningful steps to bring about change.

Ms. Shansky is one of a handful of experts trained by Mr. Gore to bring these presentations to communities around the world. The hour-long presentation will include visual documentation and a chance for dialog with audience. People from all sides of the Climate Change discussion – or on no side at all – are welcome to attend.

This presentation is being co-sponsored by several Middletown-based organizations, including ARTFARM, the Jonah Center for Earth and Art, Earth Ministry, Middlesex Community College Sustainability Team and Wesleyan University. The presentation will be held in the Hubbard Room at Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Midletown.

For more information contact ARTFARM at (860) 346-4390 or email info@art-farm.org.

Vote “YES” on the Referendum to Join the Mattabassett District

On tomorrow’s ballot, Middletown voters will find a question to this effect: Should the city borrow $13 millon to buy a share of the Mattabassett District sewage treatment plant in Cromwell. It’s a lot of money, but city taxpayers and water & sewer customers will eventually spend even more if this fails to pass. The state’s Office of Legislative Research projects that upgrading the existing sewage treatment plant to meet standards will cost $900,000 more than the costs associated with joining the Mattabassett District and dismantling the River Road plant. If the referendum passes, it will be the first step to opening Middletown’s waterfront along River Road to creative redevelopment – an opportunity of incalculable tangible and intangible benefit to our community.
The importance of this chance to regain our city’s connection to the river has been emphasized by our local politicians (both Republicans and Democrats), business leaders, environmentalists, and recreation enthusiasts alike. We can’t let this opportunity slip away.
Vote YES on the referendum to join the Mattabassett District so we can get the process started. It’s an opportunity too promising and rare to miss.

Jonah Center Paddle

Ideal Weather Brings Out
Small Fleet of Paddlers

About 60 participants in canoes and kayaks of all shapes and colors enjoyed a Saturday afternoon paddle, under the Arrigoni Bridge for a stop on Wilcox Island, then up the Mattabesset into the "Floating Meadows," near the proposed site of Middletown’s kayak launch.

Most of the paddlers continued up the Coginchaug River against unusually strong current. The water level was high for this time of year due to recent rainfall.

Watch for news of another Jonah Center paddle later in the season when the wild rice of the meadows is especially glorious.



Heading upstream photo (above), Penny Dobratz.

Paddlers at the confluence photo (left), Trevor Davis.

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Jonah Center and Chamber of Commerce Take Opposing Views On Haddam Land Swap

The Jonah Center has called on its members and allies to oppose the transfer of 17 acres of open space in Haddam from the State Department of Environmental Protection to private commercial developers. This stand is in direct opposition to the position taken by Larry McHugh, of the Middlesex Chamber of Commerce, who has urged lawmakers to support the transfer.

The State acquired 17.4 acres of open space on the banks of the Connecticut River in Haddam for $1.4M. The deed for the land reads in part, “hereinafter described premises, being located on the Connecticut River, a prime natural feature of the Connecticut landscape, has high priority recreation, fishery, and conservation value, and is consistent with the state comprehensive plan for outdoor recreation and the state plan of conservation and development and should be retained in its natural scenic or open condition as park or public open space.”

The developers of the Riverhouse at Goodspeed Station, a banquet facility, wish to trade 87 acres of land bordering the Cockaponset State Forest for this preserved open space. Their forest land was purchased for $428,000.

Read more »

Sunday, October 3, 2010

From 2005: A Vision For The Landfill

This article is from exactly 5 years ago today, published in The Hartford Courant on October 3, 2005. I have added some more recent history below. The photograph shows John Hall, Executive Director of the Jonah Center, leading one of his many tours of the Mattabesset River.

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Most people looking at the 26-acre earthen mound at the juncture of the Mattabesset and Coginchaug rivers in Middletown would see just the city's old landfill. Members of the Jonah Center for Earth and Art see possibilities.

Tonight, Middletown's city council is scheduled to review a request from the nonprofit Jonah Center for $25,000 to fund a part- time grant writer. By approving the funding and forging an official partnership with this organization, the council would be tapping a source of creative ideas for bringing tourism to the so-called North End peninsula, an area bordered on three sides by the rivers. The meeting is set for the council chambers in city hall at 7 p.m.

Up to now, prospects for this area have appeared bleak. For years, the only signs of life in the immediate vicinity of the now- defunct landfill were generated by the city's recycling center and composting facility. But the view from the top of the landfill -- a panorama of the Mattabesset and Coginchaug rivers and the vast tidal wetlands known as Cromwell Meadows -- offers a hint of the area's promise.

Working with the Jonah Center, students from Wesleyan University have already conducted inventories of aquatic and bird life around the landfill. An architecture class has come up with a design for a "green" building that could house educational displays and programs on science, technology and the arts.

The center has a four-phase plan (see www.thejonahcenter.org). The first calls for building a hiking trail to the top of the landfill and a boat launch on the Mattabesset River. Future phases include the construction of the center and programs on renewable energies, fish farming, hydroponic gardening, ecological landscaping and environmental art. Advocates say such programs could bring tourism to the North End.It's a far-reaching proposal worth exploring.

Tonight, the council should take the first step.

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The Jonah Center did write a grant proposal on behalf of the city to increase public access to the rivers in Middletown. In February of 2006, Josh Kovner reported in the Courant that the Common Council:

... was expected to endorse an application by the Jonah Center for Earth and Art for a $50,000 federal grant to build a boat launch in the North End peninsula, at the confluence of the Coginchaug and Mattabesset rivers, and an interpretive walking trail. The trail would stretch to the top of the city's former landfill, an area that the center and Wesleyan University are studying for sources of renewable energy.

In November of 2006, Kovner reported that the Jonah Center grant application "said the city is prepared to do $60,000 worth of work on that project, including building a public-access road around the city recycling center." He also reported that the city had bought 21 acres from the Salafia family for $20,000, "... increasing the public's access to the Coginchaug and the peninsula."

The grant application was successful, and the city was awarded a $50,000 federal grant for this project in 2007.

In August of this year, the Economic Development Commission heard plans for the city to acquire an easement on private land to access a boat launch from a sewer pumping station on Johnson Street, but these plans fell through when the land owner expressed reservations about liability.

It is not clear why the city has not moved forward with the original plans in the 2006 grant proposal.

Monday, February 15, 2010

Meet Your Greens

Meet Your Greens! Middlesex County green drinks February 2010 Welcome to Meet Your Greens--Middlesex County's monthly green drinks happy-hour network providing opportunities to make connections and exchange news aboutenvironmental issues in Middlesex County. Based on the popular Green Drinks in CT and nationwide, this informal gathering of people drawn from the community, nonprofit groups and the business world offers time to brainstorm ideas and plant seeds for collaboration. All are welcome with no reservations or advanced registration necessary. Join us at Haveli India Rescheduled - New Date is Tuesday, February 23, 2010 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm 1300 South Main Street, Middletown (860)347-7773 for directions, menu, etc. seewww.haveliindia.com We don't have a formal program or speaker this month, but we'll have time and awarm, friendly setting to enjoy good company, great conversation and the opportunity to celebrate Mardi Gras with a green, Eastern flair. Bring news or other information to share, and some friends who might never come on their own! And another event of special interest to you.... The Jonah Center for Earth and Art presents What You Can Do About Climate Change and Energy Policy in Connecticut Tuesday, February 23, 7 p.m. At First Church of Christ, 190 Court St. in Middletown Roger Smith, Coordinator of the Connecticut Climate Coalition and Campaign Director of Clean Water Action will tell us what is coming up in the current 2010 session of the Connecticut Legislature, including measures to help residents improve home energy efficiency and support solar power. For information contact: The Jonah Center for Earth and Art 190 Court St. Middletown, CT 06457 (860) 346-6657 ext. 13 Meet Your Greens meets every third Tuesday of the month. Venues and times change-- join our e-list for updates and invites by contacting Claire Rusowicz,crusowicz@rockfallfoundation.org; or Jennifer Weymouth,jaweymouth@yahoo.com. You can also join us on Facebook ("Meet Your Greens"). Schedule updates are also provided on The Rockfall Foundation website, www.rockfallfoundation.org. Questions? Please e-mail or call Claire Rusowicz (860)347-0340.

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