Carnegie Borough

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Incentives exist for establishment of farms and gardens within the municipality.

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Newly elected officials participate in Local Government Academy or other orientation training for public officials.

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Municipality works with schools and local nonprofits/community organizations to engage students about community issues such as waste reduction and recycling, public safety, wellness, conservation, nature, etc.

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The municipality and local public schools cooperate to share facilities and other resources. (For example, the municipality assists with the cost of evening lifeguards for community use of a school swimming pool or for provision of crossing guards.)

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Cooperation is occurring with neighboring municipalities to manage water and sewer supply, treatment and distribution, sewage and stormwater, in the most cost-efficient way.

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Drinking water and sanitary sewer rates are based on the real cost of providing service.

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Sufficient investments are being made to the water, sewer, and stormwater systems per real costs and keeping pace with maintenance and operations.

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Water provider(s) prioritize improving service to existing developed areas as opposed to opening up new areas to development.

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Low impact development and onsite stormwater infiltration is encouraged.

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The municipality actively encourages water conservation and efficiency measures in the community and among businesses.

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The municipality utilizes an Integrated Municipal Stormwater and Wastewater Planning Approach (as described by EPA) to identify the municipality?s priorities for projects and includes a description of how the proposed priorities reflect the relative importance of adverse impacts on human health and water quality and the municipality?s financial capability. See: http://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/integratedplans.cfm

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Policies, plans and ordinances protect wetlands and waterways and their buffers.

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Tree and woodlands protection and management policies are in place (for example, community forestry plan and canopy goal; tree planting programs; tree maintenance programs; tree hazard and health assessment projects; computerized assessment of municipal trees, Tree/woodland replacement criteria in ordinances, etc.).

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Low impact and green development projects, as well as techniques (pervious pavement, bioswales, cisterns, woodland and steep slope protection) are fostered through incentives, ordinances and design guidelines.

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Written policies exist and ordinances and incentives have been enacted to conserve environmentally and ecologically sensitive places (for example, slopes over 25%, slide prone soils and geology, springs and vernal pools, mature woodlands, Natural Heritage Areas, etc.) in order to protect public safety and natural resources while using green infrastructure for stormwater management.

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A burn ban has been formally adopted and made part of municipal ordinance, and State or County outdoor wood fired boiler construction and operation is in accordance with state law

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PA State anti-idling law is enforced and compliance is promoted.

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Municipality supports public education regarding reducing air pollution and emissions.

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The municipality has a written municipal policy prohibiting discrimination and valuing diversity and inclusion.

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Up-to-date ordinances for zoning and subdivision/land development are in place to implement the comprehensive plan.

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Waste and recycling ordinances and regulations are in compliance and enforced per Act 101, or if not a mandatory-Act 101 municipality, a municipal recycling program is conducted.

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The municipality maintains and supports an initiative to encourage residents to buy local.

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The municipality has elected to administer and enforce PA's statewide Uniform Construction Code (UCC).

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A program is in place to encourage businesses to be aware of innovate sustainable business approaches and to recognize achievement.

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There is a curbside and/or drop-off recycling program.

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Owners and tenants in the retail area are engaged with the municipality to provide attractive sidewalks, trees, and street furniture and make the area safe for pedestrians and bicyclists.

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The municipality has assessed Main Street program options and opportunities for possible applicability and implementation.

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Professional staff are employed or retained to manage the land use program.

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All municipal buildings have an active recycling program.

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Public transportation and ride sharing are promoted and facilitated, as is transit-oriented development (where applicable).

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Alternate transportation (e.g. transit, inter-modal, multi-modal, bicycle/pedestrian) are accommodated and promoted.

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A natural resource inventory has been developed for the community within the last 7 years as part of the comprehensive plan.

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Comprehensive land use/development plan is current, addresses impacts to neighboring communities, and incorporates sustainability principles.

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The comprehensive plan and ordinances promote pedestrian-oriented, dense, walkable, mixed-use development (in existing and proposed development), and redevelopment in the core or town center.

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A multi-municipal comprehensive plan has been adopted as has an official map.

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The municipality contracts for solid waste collection as opposed to individual home owners contracting for the same.

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Traffic calming techniques, "complete streets" projects, access management and congestion management programs have been evaluated and are being implemented.

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Police are trained on the rights and responsibilities of bicyclists and state law on passing bicycles.

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The zoning ordinance has inclusionary housing provisions/incentives

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The comprehensive plan addresses the community benefits of and need for expanding housing choice.

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Sustainable landscape maintenance practices are in place for parks and municipal grounds.

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The zoning ordinance provides for or accommodates a full range of housing opportunities throughout the community.

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Taxation takes a balanced approach applicable to all sectors of municipal services provided and fees satisfy cost recovery.

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Obligations for pensions/other post-employment benefits are funded for the long-term to at least 80%.

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Municipality routinely evaluates ability to ensure that revenue is sufficient to maintain public infrastructure, i.e., road, water, sewer, stormwater (community has an asset management based budget system).

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Funds for capital-related borrowing are not used for day to day expenses.

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Professional staff are employed or retained, in the areas of budgeting and finance.

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Municipality participates in a regional service program or contracts services to or through other municipalities for fire, police, or EMS.

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Municipality maintains updated public safety mutual aid agreements with neighboring municipalities and shares resources.

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The municipality is committed to passing a resolution (within six months of enrolling) to affirm participation in the Sustainable Community Essentials Certification Program.

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An executive/management level municipal staff person has responsibility for management of the municipal sustainability program expressly included in their job description.

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Professional development for municipal personnel and officials includes participating (at a minimum, per year) in quarterly Local Government Academy, PA DCED or other professional training association programs.

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Intergovernmental Cooperative Agreements include conflict resolution provisions.

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The municipality utilizes Intergovernmental Cooperative Agreements (ICA) to engage in multi-municipal endeavors.

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Municipality is an active participant in a Council of Governments.

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All municipal-sponsored events have a sustainability-awareness component

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A program exists to actively pursue and match residents and local businesses to volunteer opportunities to better the community and assist the local government.

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Municipality communicates with the public via a regularly scheduled newsletter or regularly updated web based communications.

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Civic engagement, public participation and transparency are regularly assessed and facilitated.

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Outdoor recreation opportunities, amenities, and lifestyles are promoted.

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A program to promote safe walking to school is in place.

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A community produce garden(s) is available.

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Education programs are made available for residents on the benefits of organic, locally-purchased food; farmers? markets and farm stands are facilitated.

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The municipality supports a program (or cooperates with neighboring communities) to engage residents in strengthening sustainable food systems to link local foods, farms and people (ex. Buy Fresh Buy Local initiative, Good Food Neighborhood, etc.).