Bowdoinham, ME

Mayor:

Date of Adoption:
2008-11-30

Primary Contact:
Joan Saxe

Why My City is Cool

Bowdoinham Select Board has appointed a Land Use Revision Group that is in the process of making recommendations to the Town that will preserve open space as well as control growth and reduce sprawl. This same group proposed an amended Subdivision Ordinance. The amended ordinance provided for all new subdivisions to have designated common open space of at least 25% of the “usable” land. It was passed by the voters.

Also, the Biking, Walking, Paddling Group, another group appointed by the Select Board, is working with a planner through Midcoast Council for Business Development, to write a transportation vision statement that will, among other things, promote trails and improve the” walkability” of the village area. The Public Works department practices no idling.

The town is changing the lights over to energy efficient bulbs as well as replacing the light fixtures, if needed. Also, the Christmas tree lights were switched over to energy efficient lights this year. The thermostats have been turned down at all town-owned buildings (fire station, Coombs School, Public Works building, etc.). The thermostats in the Fire Station bays have been turned down to 55 degrees.

Bowdoinham has had a very progressive recycling program since the late 1980’s. We continue the commitment to recycling and have one of the highest recycling rates in the state. Additionally, we have a pilot project at the “barn” using worms to breakdown food waste and paper to soil. The local school children have been to the “barn’ to learn more about this program.

Though Bowdoinham is a small community and doesn’t have the resources to purchase software that will help determine our community’s carbon footprint, we have adopted practices that will help to reduce energy costs.

Date of Adoption:

2008
Contact Name:

Kathryn Durgin-Leighton, Town MAnager
Contact Email:

kleighton@bowdoinham.com
Contact Name :

Pat Reed
Contact Email:

meemawbubba@peoplepc.vom
Contact Phone:

207-666-5531
Selectman:

Steve Ciembroniewicz, Chair

Get Involved with Cool Cities

Milestones Completed (about)

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Milestone 1: Establish Campaign COMPLETE
  • Convene a Cool Cities campaign team of 3-7 activist volunteers
Milestone 2: Engage The Community COMPLETE
Milestone 3: City Signs Agreement COMPLETE
Milestone 4: Initial Solution Steps
Milestone 5: Advanced Smart Energy Solutions IN PROGRESS
  • City adopts green vehicles policy (e.g. purchases hybrid vehicles for city fleet)
  • City adopts other global warming reduction policies (e.g. no-idling, Energy Star appliance purchasing)
  • City supports state action to reduce greenhouse gasses (e.g. net metering)
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