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A New Year Brings New Board Members
Experience, Engagement, Leadership
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Sustainable CT is announcing the appointment of five new members to our Board of Directors. These individuals share a long history with our organization, and bring a wealth of knowledge in municipal governance, sustainability, and community engagement.
The new Board members are:
Carl Fortuna. Carl is in his seventh term as the First Selectman in Old Saybrook.
Matt Hart. Matt is the Executive Director of the Capitol Region Council of Governments (CRCOG).
Adrian Huq. Adrian is currently a graduate student at the Yale School of the Environment, and they spent four summers as a Sustainable CT Fellow (2021-2024).
Maureen Nicholson. Maureen is the First Selectman of Pomfret.
Ted Shafer. Ted is the President and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce of Northwest CT. He was also the First Selectman of Burlington for 10 years.
“We’re very fortunate to have this group of dedicated leaders on our Board of Directors as they each have such a deep history with our program,” said Jessica LeClair, Sustainable CT's executive director. "They all understand our program and our towns so well, we’re really looking forward to continuing our journey with them.”
We're especially grateful to departing Board members for their extraordinary service and support: Danielle Chesebrough, Laura Francis, Sean Ghio, Abby Piersall, and Dave Smith.
READ the FULL PRESS RELEASE>
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The Next Sustainable CT Coffee Hour: Thursday, January 15 at 10 a.m.
How Municipalities Can Reduce Rising Energy Costs Through Energy Savings Performance Contracting
As energy costs continue to rise across Connecticut, municipalities are seeking solutions that reduce expenses while maintaining long-term fiscal health. Attendees will gain actionable steps to evaluate and pursue Energy Savings Performance Contracting (ESPC) in their own communities, an approach that may help earn points toward Sustainable CT certification and Climate Leader Designation. ESPC is a budget-neutral financing tool that allows towns and districts to fund significant energy and infrastructure upgrades without upfront capital, bond referendums, or new taxpayer dollars. Justin Benoit, Director of Project Delivery at Energia, will define the ESPC model and outline a proven process for success, showing how future energy savings can be leveraged to fund projects and free up operational dollars for other municipal priorities. Vincent Masciana, Chief Project Officer of Cheshire Public Schools, will share firsthand insights on the broader value created through an ESPC investment. Case studies from Thomaston and Waterbury will also be featured.
REGISTER for JANUARY 15>
You can join Sustainable CT for virtual, informal discussions most third THURSDAYS of each month. We share program updates and resources, explore your questions, and strengthen the network of Sustainable CT champions. These sessions are free and open to all.
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January's IMPACT: Above Board
Sustainable CT Board members aren't born, they're made
We're hoping to catch up with one of our new Board members this month - alas, which one is still an open question at press time. But Carl Fortuna, Matt Hart, Adrian Huq, Maureen Nicholson and Ted Shafer all have a long history with Sustainable CT, and each has a deep understanding of what we do, where we're headed, and the challenges that lie ahead. Please join us for a view from the Boardroom.
This month's episode of the IMPACT will be available on January 15 on the Sustainable CT website, and wherever you get your podcasts.
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The Community Match Fund
The 2025 Year in Review is now available
Wait no longer: our Community Match Fund 2025 Year in Review is now available. It was a stellar year for the CMF, chock-a-block full of projects that will impress and inspire - 42 projects supported, 28 towns served, and a total investment of $476,252 in local communities. Flip through and you'll be sure to find a project that could work in your community. Then contact us at funding@sustainablect.org and we'll help make it a reality.
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Optimizing for Equity
Our Virtual Equity Training Series is Back!
The 2026 Sustainable CT Virtual Equity Training Series is a free, practical, action-focused learning experience designed to help municipal leaders move from equity concepts to confident application in real time. Attendance at all three sessions is required.
Participants will work with scenario-based coaching and peer learning, using real challenges from their communities such as budgeting tradeoffs, policy revisions, resident engagement tension, and team dynamics. Attendance is capped at 35. This will be a live, interactive training and will NOT be recorded. Please only sign up if you intend to participate for the duration of each session.
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January 14, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. - Equity in Action, From Principles to Practice
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January 28, 10 a.m. -12:30 p.m. - Building Trust and Cross-Town Coalitions
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February 11, 10 am. - 12:30 p.m. - Measuring What Matters and Sustaining Momentum
Who should attend? Elected officials, municipal staff, and Sustainability Team members ready to move beyond Equity 101 and strengthen equitable decision-making across local government. Spaces are allotted on a first-come, first-served basis, so register without delay!
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Sorelle Gallery Benefits Sustainable CT
Sorelle Gallery Fine Art in Westport held a Black Friday sale back in November in which they chose a charity to share in the proceeds - and they chose Sustainable CT! It was a fabulous way to support sustainability in Connecticut, and we wish to thank the Gallery's founder, Sandra Pelletier, for her generosity and thoughtfulness. This kind of giving means the world to us. Sorelle is a very special place - a must-see in Westport - and the website is equally stunning. (Pictured here is "Sanguine" by Bri Custer, oil on canvas.)
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Skateport: A Sustainable CT Community Match Fund Project In The New York Times
The New York Times' "Fifty States-50 Fixes" project covers, as the title implies, "50 different initiatives to to tackle climate change in each U.S. state." A Community Match Fund project - Skateport in Bridgeport - was highlighted in the Connecticut section. Led by Takina Pollock Shafer, Skateport raised funds to build a pollinator garden on their site at Post Office Square, to create and maintain public art, and increase biodiversity and improve green space in Downtown Bridgeport. Read the Times piece here. Also available in audio.
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DAS Launches a Resource Hub for Environmentally Preferable Purchasing
The Connecticut Department of Administrative Services (DAS) Procurement Division supports sustainable purchasing through its Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP) Program. The program helps state agencies, municipalities, political subdivisions, and nonprofits use the state’s buying power to choose products and services that are better for the environment.
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YPCCC: Climate Change in the American Mind - Politics & Policy, Fall 2025
The Yale Program on Climate Change Communication (YPCCC) released a new report, “Climate Change in the American Mind: Politics & Policy, Fall 2025,” based on their latest national survey, conducted November 6-14, 2025. Most voters: think global warming is affecting the cost of living; oppose eliminating government programs on global warming; and support climate-friendly government policies.
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2026 Sustainable CT Fellowship Program Applications Due Feb. 9
Do you want to help Towns and Cities across Connecticut become more sustainable? We are now accepting applications for our 2026 Fellowship Program. We place highly qualified college students across the state’s Councils of Governments (COGs) to help cities and towns become registered, certified, or recertified with Sustainable CT during the summer. Apply by February 9 at 5 p.m.
LEARN MORE and APPLY>
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Connecticut Green Bank Winter 2026 Update Webinar
Connecticut Green Bank will provide updates on Green Bank programs and solutions for homes, buildings, communities, and investments. Topics will include the Fleet Electrification Accelerator, Energy Storage Solutions, Solar MAP+ for Affordable Multifamily Housing, Smart-E (including a special offer), Green Liberty Notes and Bonds, Environmental Infrastructure, and more. January 13, 12-1 p.m.
REGISTER NOW>
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The Alliance Legislative Forums
The Alliance is holding its regional legislative forums throughout the month of January. Held right before the legislative session begins, these forums are an opportunity for legislators to meet members of the nonprofit community, hear the issues that are important to them, and consider legislative solutions that can help nonprofits meet the needs of the communities they serve. These are free, in-person events.
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Hartford County: Wednesday, January 14, 9-11 a.m. - 444 Center St., Manchester
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Eastern CT: Monday, January 26, 9-11 a.m. - 37 Camp Mooween Rd. Lebanon
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Litchfield County: Wednesday, January 28, 9-11 a.m. - 58 High St., Torrington
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Fairfield County: Thursday, January 29, 9:30-11:30 a.m. - 8 Woodland Pl., Stamford
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Third Act CT: Help Adoption of Residential Solar Across CT with SolarAPP+
Residential rooftop solar in the U.S. costs two or three times more than in Australia, Germany and Japan. One reason is that rooftop solar permitting in the U.S. is overly cumbersome and not standardized. SolarAPP+ is an online permitting solution used by over 335 towns and cities across the country -- including East Hartford and Guilford -- that results in an instant permit with an inspection checklist for building officials. Attend Third Act's "Simplify Solar Kickoff" to learn how you can be part of an effort to introduce Connecticut towns and cities to a better, faster way to manage and approve permits for residential rooftop solar and storage. January 14, 1-2 p.m.
SEND an RSVP>
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UConn CLEAR: Red Flag Warning - Understanding Connecticut's Wildfire Ecology, Forest Health, and Planning for a Changing Future
Bringing together extensive knowledge about wildfire, firefighting, and natural resources in Connecticut, UConn Fire Chief Chris Renshaw discovered overlapping conditions that show how Connecticut could suffer a similar fate to Maui, Hawaii, where a surprise and devastating wildfire caused destruction and loss of life. A new story map and map viewer explain the overlapping conditions of fire ecology, forest health, changing weather, and housing density, and compare them to recent brush fires across the state. January 15, 1-2 p.m.
REGISTER TODAY>
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DEEP: the Community Renewable Energy Siting Tool
In May, the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) launched a web-based tool to assist with the potential siting of solar projects and further the goal of increasing our state’s supply of zero-carbon energy. The Community Renewable Energy Siting Tool (CREST) provides free access to 35 layers of state, federal, and institutional data – demographic, forestry, geology, land use, water, wildlife, and more – that can be used by municipal planners, solar developers, conservation organizations, members of the public, and others to visualize where renewable energy best fits into Connecticut’s diverse landscape. Learn more about CREST and how to use it from the creators of the tool in a special webinar. January 20, 1-2 p.m.
REGISTER>
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Partnership for Strong Communities: State of Housing in Connecticut 2025 iForum
The Partnership will release its inaugural State of Housing in Connecticut report on January 16, 2026, offering a comprehensive look at the challenges and opportunities shaping affordability, creation, choice, and stability across the state. This iForum will introduce key findings from the report and open space for collective analysis. A free, in-person event - The Lyceum, 227 Lawrence Street, Hartford, 9-11:30 a.m.
REGISTER and LEARN MORE>
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Your Support Has Made It A Very Happy New Year
2025 was a challenging economic year for just about everybody, so we are especially gratified to have received the tremendous support of so many people who care deeply about sustainability in Connecticut - and beyond. We are honored by your trust and remain dedicated to maximizing every contribution as we help more communities across the state become thriving, inclusive, and climate-resilient in 2026. Thank you for being our partner in progress.
Winners of our Campaign prizes - a Half Dome 2 tent courtesy of REI Norwalk and an Electra Ponto Go! ebike courtesy of Mystic Cycle Centre - will be notified by email very soon, so keep your fingers crossed and an eye on your Inbox for a message from us. And have a happy, fulfilling and sustainable 2026!
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