Etna Borough

Question:
The municipality has reviewed ordinances, resolutions, and other policies to remove impediments to the use of alternative energy (wind, solar, geothermal) installations or green buildings.

Question:
Municipal support is provided to a public program (throughout the community and for businesses) to conserve energy, promote renewable energy sources, and mitigate carbon emissions.

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

Question:
The municipality has established goals from the energy audit findings and is methodically implementing the energy audit findings.

Question:
There is on-going training for municipal employees and officials and the HR function is closely engaged in advancing objectives of the municipal sustainability program.

Question:
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.

Question:
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.)

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

Question:
Low impact development and onsite stormwater infiltration is encouraged.

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

Question:
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

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

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

Question:
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.

Question:
Developers are required to submit a comprehensive and detailed fiscal impact analysis including long-term fiscal impacts such as road repair, school infrastructure needs and other public services with their development applications.

Question:
The Comprehensive Plan identifies environmentally sensitive, ecologically significant, and civic/historic places.

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

Question:
Municipality supports public education regarding reducing air pollution and emissions.

Question:
The municipality and its municipal waste hauler service are exploring ways to reduce emissions from vehicles and trucks beyond anti-idling.

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

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

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

Question:
Municipal action plans for promoting minority and women-owned business are being advanced, including seeking proposals from the same for purchasing, services, etc.

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

Question:
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.

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

Question:
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.

Question:
The Comprehensive Plan includes a parks/recreation and open space component with proposed passive or active greenways, parks and trails and the zoning and subdivision ordinances support the vision.

Question:
A program exists (perhaps in partnership with an outside agency) to facilitate home ownership: homebuyer incentives, employer-assisted housing, community land trust, etc.

Question:
The Comprehensive Plan and ordinances protect farmland and/or promotes community gardens and infill green space.

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

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

Question:
All municipal buildings have an active recycling program.

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

Question:
Land use and development decisions are assessed to ensure they do not have negative fiscal, stormwater, traffic, infrastructure, or service demands, or quality of life impacts on neighboring municipalities.

Question:
Municipality has an active litter prevention/clean-up program.

Question:
Provide an on-line link to description of a second sustainability innovation that the Municipal Manager/Secretary feels strongly is deserving of additional recognition and is not covered by any of the above criteria options.

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

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

Question:
There is an active public informational program to encourage citizens to reduce waste and recycle.

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

Question:
A revenue-expenditure trend analysis is conducted annually.

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

Question:
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).

Question:
5-10 percent of operating funds are carried over year to year.

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

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

Question:
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.

Question:
A municipal sustainability program (in name) has been developed and departmental goal setting and budget processes are used to advance it.

Question:
Intergovernmental Cooperative Agreements include conflict resolution provisions.

Question:
Municipality is an active participant in a Council of Governments.

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

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

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

Question:
All municipal-sponsored events have a sustainability-awareness component

Question:
Outdoor recreation opportunities, amenities, and lifestyles are promoted.

Question:
Programs by local government, or in cooperation with the non-profit and private sector, exist to address community health concerns, i.e. exercise programs, feeding programs for children and the elderly, crime watches, accessible health care, exercise away from areas of air pollution, etc.

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

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

Question:
A community produce garden(s) is available.