Sustainability & Resiliency Efforts in Kittery
Regional Sustainability and Resilience Program
The Regional Sustainability and Resilience Program was established in 2019 when the towns of Kittery, Kennebunk, Kennebunkport, Ogunquit, Wells, and York sought to create a regional program to support their individual sustainability and coastal resiliency efforts. Managed by the Southern Maine Planning and Development Commission (SMPDC), the two-year pilot program works to foster more sustainable and resilient communities by leveraging regional collaboration to enhance the effectiveness of local government action.
The Program is guided by the Program Workplan, which lays out the program goals, pilot objectives, and timeline.
Program Goals
- Collaboration: Create a collaborative network to share knowledge and coordinate efforts on sustainability and resiliency in Coastal York County
- Assessment: Assist with evaluation of climate change and coastal issues, priority needs for addressing impacts, and periodic progress on sustainability and resiliency initiatives
- Integration: Support communities with incorporating sustainability and resiliency into community operations, culture, planning and decision-making
- Action: Increase the community resilience of Costal York County by coordinating climate change mitigation and adaption planning and strategy implementation
Recent Events & Updates
Kittery Receives Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Award for $800,000 from the US Dept. of Energy - April 2024
This grant will help Kittery, SMPDC and York County Community Action to establish the Southern Maine Energy Navigator Pilot. This project will support energy upgrades for low and moderate income homes in Kittery, Kennebunk, Wells, Ogunquit and Kennebunkport. Energy Navigators will also provide personalized guidance in navigating energy incentive programs.
To learn more about the EECBG Program Grant and the 12 awardees (including Kittery), please click here.
Kittery Town Council Adopts Climate Action Plan Strategies - December 2023
At their December 11, 2023 meeting, the Kittery Town Council adopted the 29 Climate Action Plan Strategies, developed by the Kittery Climate Action Task Force.
- To review adopted climate action plan strategies, please click here.
- To watch the December 11, 2023 Town Council meeting about the strategies, which includes a presentation from Climate Action Task Force Chair, Cameron Wake, please click here.
A complete Climate Action Plan with comprehensive background data and appendices has been drafted and is expected to be finalized and posted on the website in February 2024.
Freebie Barn Update - December 2023
Since it reopened in January 2023, over 13,000 lbs has been donated and diverted from the waste stream. You might be wondering if 13,000 lbs makes a difference, and the answer is YES! Diverting 13,000 lbs of waste from the waste stream is equivalent to preventing approximately 19 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions from releasing in our atmosphere.
And we'll be back to do it again in January 2024!
Kittery Fire Department Begins Composting - December 2023
The Town of Kittery is excited to announce that the Kittery Fire Department has begun composting in the newly renovated Gorges Road Fire Station.
Climate Action open House at the Rice Public Library - November 2023
November 1, 2023 & November 9, 2023 | 5:00 PM at the Rice Public Library
At the Open House, the Task Force shared the proposed Climate Action strategies and action items. The community was invited to stop in anytime during the open house to check out the proposed strategies, ask questions, and offer feedback.
Kittery Town Hall & Rice Public Library Have Begun Composting - October 2023
The Town of Kittery is excited to announce that the Kittery Town Hall and Rice Public Library have begun composting in their buildings in an effort to reduce waste and encourage a more sustainable Kittery.
Freebie Barn Update - August 2023
Since it reopened in January 2023, over 5,000 lbs has been donated and diverted from the waste stream. You might be wondering if 5,000 lbs makes a difference, and the answer is YES! The amount that’s been diverted from the waste stream is the equivalent of a car staying off the road for 1.5 years. That change can prevent approximately 6.5 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions from releasing in our atmosphere.
There is No Planet B - Community Conversation & Watch Party - June 2023
Thursday, June 29, 2023 | 5:00 PM at the Rice Public Library
- To view the video presentation of "Climate Change in Kittery, Maine" from Cameron Wake, Ph.D., please click here.
- Download the event handouts below:
Town Council & Climate Adaptation Committee - Climate Action Plan Workshop - March 2023
Monday, March 27, 2023 | 5:00 PM in Council Chambers & Zoom
The Town Council and Climate Adaptation Committee held a Climate Action Plan Workshop on Monday, March 27, 2023 at 5:00 PM in Council Chambers and Zoom.
- To view the agenda for the meeting, please click here.
- To view the Workshop video, please click here.
Kittery Takes on Climate Change - February 2023
In 2019, the Kittery Town Council established the Kittery Climate Adaptation Committee (KCAC) to advance the Town’s resilience to climate change. KCAC is leading Kittery's efforts to create a Climate Action Plan through a cohort process that works alongside the communities of Biddeford, Kennebunk and Kennebunkport and in partnership with the Southern Maine Planning & Development Commission (SMPDC).
Learn more about climate action planning in Kittery and how you can get involved by visting the CAP project page at www.kitteryme.gov/CAP or by clicking here.
Town of Kittery Launches Reinvigorated Freebie Barn Program - January 2023
To reintroduce the Freebie Barn Program, the Town has been working with its Climate Adaptation Committee and Kittery Climate Action Now (KCAN) to make a variety of changes that will allow us to focus the types of items that are collected, assist residents with recycling and reutilization of common and urgently needed items, and reduce the number of items that linger at the Freebie Barn and ultimately end up in the waste stream.
Town of Kittery Energy & Climate Planning Efforts Recognized in Maine Town & City Magazine - January 2022
- To view the Maine Town & City article, please click here.
- To view the "A Town in High Water: Coastal Hazard Planning Practices for Kittery, Maine" report, please click here.
- To view the Kittery Climate Adaptation Committee's accompanying display: "Mapping Kittery's Vulnerability to Flooding", please click here.
Town of Kittery Greenhouse Gas Inventory Presentation - Town Council Meeting on January 24, 2022
- To view the meeting agenda, please click here.
- To view the meeting video, please click here.
- To download or view the full report, please click here.
Town of Kittery Celebrates New EV Charging Stations at Town Hall - November 8, 2021
Today, Monday, November 8, 2021, the Town of Kittery and representatives from Central Maine Power (CMP), Revision Energy and the York Region Chamber of Commerce gathered for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of the EV Charging Stations at the Kittery Town Hall.
Implemented through grant funding from CMP, the installation of the four new Level 2 chargers at Town Hall will provide EV charging for customers, visitors and for the municipal EV fleet. The Town of Kittery is excited to add to the level 2 EV chargers to what's currently available locally, furthering its sustainability and resiliency efforts in Kittery.
EVs Arrive at Town Hall - April 27, 2021
Public Hearing for EV Lease Agreement - Town Council Meeting on April 12, 2021
- To view the meeting agenda, please click here.
- To view the meeting video, please click here.
Town Manager's Report - Town Council Meeting on February 22, 2021
- To view the meeting agenda, please click here.
- To view the meeting video, please click here.
Electronic Vehicle and Charging Station
The Town has applied for a grant to install four Level 2 electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at Town hall. The charging stations would be available for
public use. The Town is in the review phase with CMP which can result in a $16,000 grant for the installation costs.
The administrative vehicle (Code Enforcement vehicle) needs to be replaced this year as well. The condition of the car is deteriorated and will not likely pass inspection again. The Town Manager is seeking to replace the vehicle with an EV.
Town Manager's Report - Town Council Meeting on February 8, 2021
- To view the meeting agenda, please click here.
- To view the meeting video, please click here.
Regional Assessment
SMPDC has completed the regional assessment and issued a report that compares common strategies for success, common barriers and challenges and priorities. The analysis identifies areas where we can share both resources and expertise to accomplish our objectives.
The Town is also utilizing this collaborative to advance a community solar initiative that would gain the Town (and other partner towns) access to solar energy, generated by projects built elsewhere in Maine. The agreements are at least cost neutral and often produce savings on electricity costs while supplying renewable energy.
- To view Kittery's 2020 Sustainability and Coastal Resilience Assessment Report, please click here.
- To view Regional Climate Assessment Report, please click here.
Other Resources and Information
To view the latest updates from the Town of Kittery Climate Adaptation Committee, along with its subcommittees, visit their pages here.- To view the "Toward a Sustainable Kittery" joint meeting with the Climate Adaptation Committee and Efficiency Maine, please click here.
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
 Regional Climate Assessment Report - SMPDC | 3.94 MB |
| Town of Kittery Assessment SMPDC | 363.79 KB |