Sustainable Maryland is free and voluntary certification program for municipalities in Maryland that want to go green, save money, and take steps to sustain their quality of life.
"We're in the very early stages," said Charlestown town clerk Debbie Myers.
Charlestown is in the process of fulfilling the first of two mandatory actions – Create a Green Team.
Then the town can get started on the other mandatory action – Complete a Green Team Action Plan.
The action categories include: Community Action, Community-Based Food System, Energy, Greenhouse Gas, Health & Wellness, Local Economies, Natural Resources, and Planning and Land Use. Certification lasts three years. Once the requirements are fulfilled, towns are eligible for grants.
Myers is seeking volunteers to be members of Charlestown's Green Team. "The Green Team is a steering committee to help the town work toward certification," she said. ""We're looking for people with interest and expertise working with environmental issues and sustainable living."
Green Team members do not have to be a Charlestown resident, just interested in helping the town earn certification. Anyone who wishes to join should contact Myers at 410-287-6173 or townclerk21914@comcast.net.
Janine Antoshak, Charlestown's Town Clerk II, is helping the town earn points by participating in the Cecil County Watershed Stewards Academy. She is attending classes on Wednesday nights and some Saturdays until May and will graduate later next year.