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Thurmont Receives Prestigious Sustainable Maryland Certified Award

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The Environmental Finance Center at the University of Maryland announced that Thurmont was one of 17 Maryland municipalities honored at the Sustainable Maryland Awards Ceremony at the Maryland Municipal League’s annual Fall Conference in October. The Town received Bronze-level certification.

“I am very proud that the Town of Thurmont has been recertified again as a Sustainable Maryland Certified community,” said Mayor John Kinnaird.  “The Board of Commissioners and I are very grateful for the exceptional results that have been achieved over the past nine years. The tireless efforts of the Thurmont Green Team, Town of Thurmont staff, and our dedicated community volunteers have been nothing less than extraordinary. Great work by everyone!”

According to Mike Hunninghake, director of the Sustainable Maryland program, “We are pleased to be awarding a record number of certifications this year. These certifications show a commitment to sustainability by Maryland’s municipalities that is truly impressive in both depth and breadth. The commitments and associated actions are a critical investment for a future where local governments will increasingly be at the forefront in the fight against climate change. Sustainable Maryland stands ready to support and celebrate these communities, elected officials, and Green Teams.”

For detailed information about Thurmont’s sustainability initiatives, please contact Chief Administrative Officer Jim Humerick at jhumerick@thurmontstaff.com or 301-271-7313, ext. 204

Pictured from left are Chief Administrative Officer Jim Humerick, Green Team Coordinator Cindy Poole, Human Resources Manager Diana Mehaffie, and Mayor John Kinnaird with the Sustainable Maryland Certified award at the Maryland Municipal League conference.

Town of Emmitsburg Receives Prestigious Sustainable Maryland Certified Award

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(from left) Mayor Donald Briggs and Town Clerk Madeline Shaw with the Sustainable Maryland Certified Award at the Maryland Municipal League conference.

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The Environmental Finance Center at the University of Maryland announced that the Town of Emmitsburg was one of twelve Maryland municipalities honored at the Sustainable Maryland Awards Ceremony at the Maryland Municipal League’s Annual Fall Conference on October 12, 2021. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Sustainable Maryland program.

Highlights of Emmitsburg’s accomplishments include:

The Town of Emmitsburg has two solar fields that generate approximately 250,000 kWh/month. This clean, renewable energy powers 19 of the town’s largest electrical accounts, as well as the local fire department and the town’s Waste Water Treatment Plant. Overall, the town’s electricity use is now supplied by well over 95 percent renewable energy.

Debuted an all-inclusive playground to promote health and wellness in the community.

Installed public electric vehicle charging stations to support citizens and visitors with electric vehicles.

“Earning the Sustainable Maryland recertification is a very special honor,” said Mayor Donald Briggs. “The accomplishment recognizes the many hours of collaborative hard work and dedication by the Emmitsburg town staff, Green Team, and the community. We will pass on to both the many new families moving here, and future generations, that Emmitsburg, nestled along the Catoctin Mountains, will always be special.”

According to Mike Hunninghake, program manager for Sustainable Maryland, “During the first 10 years of the Sustainable Maryland program, if we have learned anything, it’s that reducing our footprint on where we live, be it a town, a county, a state, or the planet, is vital to our continuation as a species. The work being done at the local level forms a foundation, by example and by action, for upward pressure on governments at all levels to take action to make our communities greener, cleaner, and more resilient.”

For detailed information about Emmitsburg’s sustainability initiatives, please contact Town Clerk Madeline Shaw at mshaw@emmitsburgmd.gov or 301-600-6302.

Sustainable Maryland is an initiative of the Environmental Finance Center at the University of Maryland that is designed to support Maryland’s 157 municipalities as they look for cost-effective and strategic ways to protect their natural assets and revitalize their communities.

Town of Thurmont Receives Prestigious Award

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The Environmental Finance Center at the University of Maryland announced that the Town of Thurmont was one of 17 Maryland municipalities honored at the Sustainable Maryland Awards Ceremony at the Maryland Municipal League’s annual Fall Conference in October in Cambridge, Maryland.

“The Town of Thurmont is extremely proud to once again obtain this touted recognition and certification,” said Mayor John Kinnaird. “Our staff and our Green Team have worked tirelessly to educate our citizens about sustainability, and the results are very indicative of how important these efforts are to our community. I sincerely appreciate everyone’s hard work and dedication.”

For detailed information about Thurmont’s sustainability initiatives, please contact Chief Administrative Officer Jim Humerick at 301-271-7313 or JHumerick@thurmontstaff.com.

(from left) Mayor John Kinnaird and Chief Administrative Officer Jim Humerick are shown with the Sustainable Maryland Certified award at the Maryland Municipal League conference.

Town of Emmitsburg Receives Second Sustainable Maryland Certified Award

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The Environmental Finance Center at the University of Maryland announced that the Town of Emmitsburg was one of eight Maryland municipalities honored at the Sustainable Maryland Awards Ceremony at the Maryland Municipal League’s annual Fall Conference in Annapolis, Maryland, in October. Emmitsburg received its first Sustainable Maryland certification in 2015.

Highlights of Emmitsburg’s accomplishments include:

  • The Town has two solar fields that generate approximately 250,000
    kilowatts/month. The Town’s electrical use in municipally-owned
    buildings is now supplied by over 95 percent renewable energy.
  • The Mayor and Board of Commissioners approved the Town of
    Emmitsburg’s Sustainable Procurement Policy for use by the Town staff.
    The policy requests town staff use sustainable purchasing practices
    when choosing vendors and supplies for the Town.
  • Approximately 15 miles of natural surfaced multi-user trails for
    mountain bikers, hikers, bird watchers, and trail runners have been
    created as part of a stacked loop network in the Emmitsburg
    Watershed.

“We are honored to receive our second consecutive Sustainable Maryland Certified award,” said Emmitsburg Mayor Donald Briggs. “Our green team worked very hard for the award and is very much looking forward to the challenges of receiving the award for a third time.”

According to Mike Hunninghake, Program Manager for Sustainable Maryland, “This year’s class of Sustainable Maryland Certified communities represents significant continued progress on sustainability issues, in small towns and large cities, from all across the state. The Green Teams, elected officials, and municipal staff that have accomplished so much provide both inspiration and real-world examples for their peers to follow.”

For detailed information about Emmitsburg’s sustainability initiatives, please contact Town Clerk Maddie Shaw at MShaw@emmitsburgmd.gov or 301-600-6302.

Emmitsburg Town Manager Cathy Willets holds the Sustainable Maryland Certified Award at the Maryland Municipal League Conference.

 

 

 

Thurmont Receives Prestigious Sustainable Maryland Certified Award at Maryland Municipal League

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The Environmental Finance Center at the University of Maryland announced that the Town of Thurmont was one of fourteen Maryland municipalities honored at the Sustainable Maryland Awards Ceremony at the Maryland Municipal League’s annual Fall Conference on October 17, 2016, in Solomons, Maryland.

Highlights of Thurmont’s accomplishments include:

  • Adopted a Sustainable Procurement Policy in 2016 that ensures that town staff considers sustainability when purchasing products and/or services to be utilized within the town’s operations.
  • Began an LED street light retrofit program in 2015, which has thus far installed 62 new downtown LED street lights and 30 new subdivision LED street lights.
  • Hosted a Farmers Market since 2005.
  • Promotes “Thurmont Business Bucks” as part of a “Buy Local” campaign. This program allows residents to purchase “coupons” that can be used at any participating business in town, keeping more money circulating locally.
  • An average of 320 households made up of over 1,300 individuals receive food each month from the Thurmont Food Bank.
  • Established a Traditional Neighborhood Development (TND) Ordinance, which details specific characteristics that must be met including building design, street alignments and design, and architectural details.

“I am very proud of the joint resident and municipal effort that has resulted in Thurmont being recognized as a Sustainable Maryland Certified municipality,” said Thurmont Mayor John Kinnaird. “I specifically want to thank the Thurmont Green Team for their tireless investment of time, energy and leadership in this worthwhile endeavor.  The projects and initiatives implemented by the Thurmont Green Team has set our town on a course of environmental awareness, renewed our sense of community and most importantly will help insure a healthier and economically viable future for Thurmont’s residents.”

“Every year, the Environmental Finance Center is proud to welcome more municipalities to the Sustainable Maryland community,” said Dan Nees, director of the Environmental Finance Center. “The incredible growth of this program demonstrates that so many communities across the state are dedicated to healthier, more sustainable futures. The shared commitment of local elected officials, municipal staff and Green Team volunteers in these diverse towns and cities are a testament to Maryland’s vision of resilience.”

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(from left) Chief Administrative Officer Jim Humerick, Green Team Assistant Leader Cindy Poole, and Mayor John Kinnaird are shown with the Sustainable Maryland Certified award at the Maryland Municipal League Conference in October.