BY PAUL MITCHELL
North Country This Week

CANTON – Members of Canton’s Sustainability Committee on Wednesday evening created a wish list for 2023 goals and initiatives.

Led by Kathleen Stein, the consensus of committee members was to compile a comprehensive report featuring accomplishments and goals for use by the committee and information for both the town and village boards.

The individual reports will be forwarded to village trustee and committee member Klaus Proemm who agreed to create the draft proposal. Plans are to have the report available for review at the committee’s next meeting on Jan. 3.

Action plan items will include updates on issues related to climate change, energy, transportation, food and waste, including a plastics campaign, and a new resiliency category.

Preceding committee dialogue, the committee appointed Cathy Shrady as its new chair, replacing long-time committee chair Ann Heidenreich who stepped down. Stein made the nomination.

“Cathy is superbly qualified and has a deep commitment to the North Country,’ said Stein.

Shrady, a founding member of the committee, in accepting the role as chair, said she had not been an active participant for a while and was not up to speed on committee proceedings.

“I will back you up in any way I can,” stated Heidenreich.

In a press release, Proemm welcomed anyone interested in the community’s sustainability and resiliency to join the community.

Committee members typically reside or work in the town or village.

“The real qualification is that members have a commitment to a healthy environment and willingness to work with others to that end,” said Proemm. “Canton’s Sustainability Committee is a great place to share ideas and get involved in making Canton a better, healthier, more sustainable place to live.”

The Sustainability Committee addresses issues related to food, energy, housing, transportation, waste, climate change and natural resources.

Committee accomplishments include hosting a Local Food, Local Places multi-day workshop, spearheading a Solarize Canton campaign that resulted in nearly 40 new solar homes and spearheading actions leading to statewide recognition as a Clean Energy Community, a Climate Smart Community, and a Complete Streets community.

Among other projects, funds have been raised for important infrastructure improvements, including replacement of the old and inefficient blowers at the wastewater treatment plant. The committee initiated the community compost program and is a partner in the Green Living Fair, it recently endorsed a proposed Rights of the River resolution.

Current committee focuses are on reduction of plastic waste and recycling of food waste, pedestrian and cyclist safety, and continued exploration of energy-saving measures. New York State is offering funding to municipalities to address environmental issues.

“What the Sustainability Committee needs now is more helpers to help develop and implement these essential projects,” Proemm remarked.

Sustainability Committee meetings are held the second Tuesday of the month at 5 p.m.in the Municipal Building (60 Main Street) and via Zoom.

Joining Shrady, Stein and Proemm on the committee are Leigh Rodriguez, Tim Bacon, Bill Myers, Michael Iverson, Amanda Oldacre, Matthew Burnett, Greg Todd, Tom Van de Water, Pat Alden, Suna Stone, Dakota Casserly, Bob Santamoor, Lori Clark, Douglas Welch, Jake Malcomb, Nick Hamilton-Honey, W.A. Hunt, and Dustin Bowman.

For more information visit

https://cantonny.gov/residents/get-involved/boards-committees/canton-sustainability-committee/.