West Haven achieved Bronze certification from Sustainable CT in 2019, the second year certification was available. The certification is good for three years and can be upgraded to Silver with the achievement of additional sustainability actions. On Dec. 3, 2019, the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities recognized West Haven’s Bronze designation at the Sustainable CT 2019 Certified Towns Award Ceremony. The event took place during CCM’s Annual Convention at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Ledyard. See the Slideshow. 

The Sustainable CT initiative was developed at Eastern Connecticut State University as a voluntary municipal certification program that provides a wide-ranging menu of best practices aimed at helping cities and towns to become thriving and resilient. Municipalities choose Sustainable CT actions, implement them and earn points toward certification.

Sustainable CT Actions & Certifications

There are nine categories within the application for certification: 

• Thriving local economies.
• Well-stewarded land and natural resources.
• Efficient physical infrastructure and operations.
• Vibrant and creative cultural ecosystems.
• Dynamic and resilient planning.
• Clean and diverse transportation systems and choices.
• Strategic and inclusive public services.
• Healthy, efficient and diverse housing.
• Inclusive and equitable community impacts.

West Haven amassed 390 points in 23 of 56 possible action categories, far exceeding the required 200 points for Bronze certification. Additionally, West Haven was nominated as a CT Success Story for the in-depth and thorough work done on assessing and addressing climate vulnerability. See our Coastal Resilience Plan, our Harbor Management Plan and the SCRCOG Hazard Mitigation Plan for more information relating to these efforts. The inclusion of many sustainability concepts in our Plan of Conservation and Development also contributed to our successful certification.

Read about the Pagels Elementary School Rain Garden.

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