The recently formed Green Committee held its first meeting at Mayor Melody Currey’s office last week . The committee’s purpose is to brainstorm and research ways the town can save money , be more energyefficient , and improve its “ carbon footprint . ”

Committee member Ron Wilson said he would like to see the schools have a broader recycling program . “ From the students to the teachers , ” he said . “ Everything that can be recycled in the schools , should be . Committee member

Howard Satalino suggested a program similar to one that his daughter helped implement at Goodwin School , wherein a Girl Scout troop created decorative recycling boxes . Currey said perhaps Parks and Rec . summer campers could create the boxes for all schools before the yearstarts .

Vincent Mancini said he experimented driving at precisely the speed limit , and noticed mileage savings . “ I get honked at , the finger , I get it all , but I don’t care , ” he said . “ If youasked patrol cars ( unless on an emergency call ) , and all the guys driving the [ town ] trucks just to drive the speed limit , that could save a lot of money . ”

Currey said one thing she has asked is that police vehicles turn the engine off when they would normally idle .

One thing she asked the committee to look into is the feasibility of putting solar panels at the town’s landfill site to power nearby public works buildings .

One idea discussed was a four-day work week for some town employees .

However , Currey said there are always wrinkles . “ Anything youcome up with is going to be a good idea , and a bad idea for somebody else , ” she said .

A push for better residential recycling was also discussed , including the possibility of producing an educational video . “ People don’t know that when they throw all those things in the garbage , it costs them a dollar , instead of cutting a dollar off their taxes , ” said committee member Jon Searles .

The town is looking into singlestream recycling barrels , where all recyclable materials can go into one container .

Satolino suggested utilizing students studying for masters degrees in environmental studies , who are looking for projects , to do some of the legwork , specifically in the area of research .

The group agreed that finding one or two projects to focus on for the next few months would be the best way to spend their time .

“ Initially , it would be good to brainstorm whatever we can , ” Searles said . “ We’d have to nail it down to get it done . ”

For more information , contact the mayor’s office at 291-7202 .