—
Current Assessment:
07/29/2014
07/29/2014
Assessment History:
Energy Use, Conservation and Green Building
Green Buildings
Question:
There is a written green building policy/standard for new construction/major renovations of municipal buildings such as the International Green Construction Code (IgCC).
There is a written green building policy/standard for new construction/major renovations of municipal buildings such as the International Green Construction Code (IgCC).
Answer:
A. Yes
A. Yes
Notes:
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.
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.
Answer:
A. Yes
A. Yes
Notes:
Municipal Energy Use
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.
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.
Answer:
A. Yes
A. Yes
Notes:
Question:
The municipality has established goals from the energy audit findings and is methodically implementing the energy audit findings.
The municipality has established goals from the energy audit findings and is methodically implementing the energy audit findings.
Answer:
A. Yes
A. Yes
Notes:
Education
Engagement
Question:
A sustainability assessment has been conducted to evaluate municipal facilities, operations, plans and regulations relative to conserving resources, saving money, and implementing policies and procedures that simultaneously advance the environment, economy, and social equity.
A sustainability assessment has been conducted to evaluate municipal facilities, operations, plans and regulations relative to conserving resources, saving money, and implementing policies and procedures that simultaneously advance the environment, economy, and social equity.
Answer:
A. Yes
A. Yes
Notes:
Environmental Stewardship
Water Use, Conservation and Quality
Question:
The municipality has provided diversity training for municipal employees.
The municipality has provided diversity training for municipal employees.
Answer:
A. Yes
A. Yes
Notes:
Question:
Drinking water and sanitary sewer rates are based on the real cost of providing service.
Drinking water and sanitary sewer rates are based on the real cost of providing service.
Answer:
A. Yes
A. Yes
Notes:
Question:
Sufficient investments are being made to the water, sewer, and stormwater systems per real costs and keeping pace with maintenance and operations.
Sufficient investments are being made to the water, sewer, and stormwater systems per real costs and keeping pace with maintenance and operations.
Answer:
A. Yes
A. Yes
Notes:
Question:
The municipality actively encourages water conservation and efficiency measures in the community and among businesses.
The municipality actively encourages water conservation and efficiency measures in the community and among businesses.
Answer:
A. Yes
A. Yes
Notes:
Question:
Low impact development and onsite stormwater infiltration is encouraged.
Low impact development and onsite stormwater infiltration is encouraged.
Answer:
A. Yes
A. Yes
Notes:
Question:
There is a municipal policy ensuring Minority Business Enterprise and Women Business Enterprise are considered in municipal purchasing, bids and contracts
There is a municipal policy ensuring Minority Business Enterprise and Women Business Enterprise are considered in municipal purchasing, bids and contracts
Answer:
A. Yes
A. Yes
Notes:
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.
Cooperation is occurring with neighboring municipalities to manage water and sewer supply, treatment and distribution, sewage and stormwater, in the most cost-efficient way.
Answer:
A. Yes
A. Yes
Notes:
Green Infrastructure
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.
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.
Answer:
A. Yes
A. Yes
Notes:
Question:
Policies, plans and ordinances protect wetlands and waterways and their buffers.
Policies, plans and ordinances protect wetlands and waterways and their buffers.
Answer:
A. Yes
A. Yes
Notes:
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.
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.
Answer:
A. Yes
A. Yes
Notes:
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.
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.
Answer:
A. Yes
A. Yes
Notes:
Question:
The Comprehensive Plan identifies environmentally sensitive, ecologically significant, and civic/historic places.
The Comprehensive Plan identifies environmentally sensitive, ecologically significant, and civic/historic places.
Answer:
A. Yes
A. Yes
Notes:
Question:
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.
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.
Answer:
A. Yes
A. Yes
Notes:
Air Quality
Question:
PA State anti-idling law is enforced and compliance is promoted.
PA State anti-idling law is enforced and compliance is promoted.
Answer:
A. Yes
A. Yes
Notes:
Question:
Municipality supports public education regarding reducing air pollution and emissions.
Municipality supports public education regarding reducing air pollution and emissions.
Answer:
A. Yes
A. Yes
Notes:
Question:
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
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
Answer:
A. Yes
A. Yes
Notes:
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Human Resources
Question:
The municipality has a written municipal policy prohibiting discrimination and valuing diversity and inclusion.
The municipality has a written municipal policy prohibiting discrimination and valuing diversity and inclusion.
Answer:
A. Yes
A. Yes
Notes:
Question:
Measures are taken to ensure a wide range of candidates are interviewed for all municipal job openings i.e., the Rooney Rule.
Measures are taken to ensure a wide range of candidates are interviewed for all municipal job openings i.e., the Rooney Rule.
Answer:
A. Yes
A. Yes
Notes:
Housing
Sustainable Neighborhoods
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.
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.
Answer:
A. Yes
A. Yes
Notes:
Question:
There is a curbside and/or drop-off recycling program.
There is a curbside and/or drop-off recycling program.
Answer:
A. Yes
A. Yes
Notes:
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.
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.
Answer:
A. Yes
A. Yes
Notes:
Question:
A program is in place to encourage businesses to be aware of innovate sustainable business approaches and to recognize achievement.
A program is in place to encourage businesses to be aware of innovate sustainable business approaches and to recognize achievement.
Answer:
A. Yes
A. Yes
Notes:
Question:
Municipal action plans for promoting minority and women-owned business are being advanced, including seeking proposals from the same for purchasing, services, etc.
Municipal action plans for promoting minority and women-owned business are being advanced, including seeking proposals from the same for purchasing, services, etc.
Answer:
A. Yes
A. Yes
Notes:
Question:
The municipality maintains and supports an initiative to encourage residents to buy local.
The municipality maintains and supports an initiative to encourage residents to buy local.
Answer:
A. Yes
A. Yes
Notes:
Affordability
Question:
The Comprehensive Plan and ordinances protect farmland and/or promotes community gardens and infill green space.
The Comprehensive Plan and ordinances protect farmland and/or promotes community gardens and infill green space.
Answer:
A. Yes
A. Yes
Notes:
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.
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.
Answer:
A. Yes
A. Yes
Notes:
Question:
The zoning ordinance has inclusionary housing provisions/incentives
The zoning ordinance has inclusionary housing provisions/incentives
Answer:
A. Yes
A. Yes
Notes:
Local Economy
Thriving Local Green Business
Question:
The municipality has assessed Main Street program options and opportunities for possible applicability and implementation.
The municipality has assessed Main Street program options and opportunities for possible applicability and implementation.
Answer:
A. Yes
A. Yes
Notes:
Material Use, Waste, and Recycling
Question:
There is an active public informational program to encourage citizens to reduce waste and recycle.
There is an active public informational program to encourage citizens to reduce waste and recycle.
Answer:
A. Yes
A. Yes
Notes:
Question:
There is a written waste reduction and recycling ordinance for residential, commercial and institutional facilities.
There is a written waste reduction and recycling ordinance for residential, commercial and institutional facilities.
Answer:
A. Yes
A. Yes
Notes:
Question:
Professional staff are employed or retained to manage the land use program.
Professional staff are employed or retained to manage the land use program.
Answer:
A. Yes
A. Yes
Notes:
Question:
Comprehensive land use/development plan is current, addresses impacts to neighboring communities, and incorporates sustainability principles.
Comprehensive land use/development plan is current, addresses impacts to neighboring communities, and incorporates sustainability principles.
Answer:
A. Yes
A. Yes
Notes:
Land Use and Transportation
Community
Question:
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.
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.
Answer:
A. Yes
A. Yes
Notes:
Question:
Up-to-date ordinances for zoning and subdivision/land development are in place to implement the comprehensive plan.
Up-to-date ordinances for zoning and subdivision/land development are in place to implement the comprehensive plan.
Answer:
A. Yes
A. Yes
Notes:
Question:
A multi-municipal comprehensive plan has been adopted as has an official map.
A multi-municipal comprehensive plan has been adopted as has an official map.
Answer:
A. Yes
A. Yes
Notes:
Mobility
Question:
Police are trained on the rights and responsibilities of bicyclists and state law on passing bicycles.
Police are trained on the rights and responsibilities of bicyclists and state law on passing bicycles.
Answer:
A. Yes
A. Yes
Notes:
Question:
Traffic calming techniques, "complete streets" projects, access management and congestion management programs have been evaluated and are being implemented.
Traffic calming techniques, "complete streets" projects, access management and congestion management programs have been evaluated and are being implemented.
Answer:
A. Yes
A. Yes
Notes:
Question:
Trails for walking and bicycling are being developed or maintained
Trails for walking and bicycling are being developed or maintained
Answer:
A. Yes
A. Yes
Notes:
Green Space
Question:
The municipality has a PA Dept of Agriculture Agricultural Security Area (ASA).
The municipality has a PA Dept of Agriculture Agricultural Security Area (ASA).
Answer:
A. Yes
A. Yes
Notes:
Governance and Community Engagement
Municipal Operations
Question:
Funds for capital-related borrowing are not used for day to day expenses.
Funds for capital-related borrowing are not used for day to day expenses.
Answer:
A. Yes
A. Yes
Notes:
Question:
Green vehicle fleet assessment has been initiated toward: using greener fuels and/or vehicles, vehicle right?sizing for the job/trip, retrofit or replace older diesel trucks or equipment with cleaner technology, or driver education about driving techniques for fuel economy
Green vehicle fleet assessment has been initiated toward: using greener fuels and/or vehicles, vehicle right?sizing for the job/trip, retrofit or replace older diesel trucks or equipment with cleaner technology, or driver education about driving techniques for fuel economy
Answer:
A. Yes
A. Yes
Notes:
Question:
A revenue-expenditure trend analysis is conducted annually.
A revenue-expenditure trend analysis is conducted annually.
Answer:
A. Yes
A. Yes
Notes:
Question:
Taxation takes a balanced approach applicable to all sectors of municipal services provided and fees satisfy cost recovery.
Taxation takes a balanced approach applicable to all sectors of municipal services provided and fees satisfy cost recovery.
Answer:
A. Yes
A. Yes
Notes:
Question:
5-10 percent of operating funds are carried over year to year.
5-10 percent of operating funds are carried over year to year.
Answer:
A. Yes
A. Yes
Notes:
Question:
Obligations for pensions/other post-employment benefits are funded for the long-term to at least 80%.
Obligations for pensions/other post-employment benefits are funded for the long-term to at least 80%.
Answer:
A. Yes
A. Yes
Notes:
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).
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).
Answer:
A. Yes
A. Yes
Notes:
Question:
Professional staff are employed or retained, in the areas of budgeting and finance.
Professional staff are employed or retained, in the areas of budgeting and finance.
Answer:
A. Yes
A. Yes
Notes:
Public Safety
Question:
Municipality participates in a regional service program or contracts services to or through other municipalities for fire, police, or EMS.
Municipality participates in a regional service program or contracts services to or through other municipalities for fire, police, or EMS.
Answer:
A. Yes
A. Yes
Notes:
Question:
Municipality maintains an updated Public Safety comprehensive plan to be sure staffing and financial resources keep pace with municipal needs for Police, Fire, and Emergency Medical Services.
Municipality maintains an updated Public Safety comprehensive plan to be sure staffing and financial resources keep pace with municipal needs for Police, Fire, and Emergency Medical Services.
Answer:
A. Yes
A. Yes
Notes:
Question:
Municipality maintains updated public safety mutual aid agreements with neighboring municipalities and shares resources.
Municipality maintains updated public safety mutual aid agreements with neighboring municipalities and shares resources.
Answer:
A. Yes
A. Yes
Notes:
Sustainability
Question:
The municipality is committed to passing a resolution (within six months of enrolling) to affirm participation in the Sustainable Community Essentials Certification Program.
The municipality is committed to passing a resolution (within six months of enrolling) to affirm participation in the Sustainable Community Essentials Certification Program.
Answer:
A. Yes
A. Yes
Notes:
Question:
Municipal planning is coordinated with the school district and the two meet together at least once per year.
Municipal planning is coordinated with the school district and the two meet together at least once per year.
Answer:
A. Yes
A. Yes
Notes:
Question:
Sustainability policies, goals, and principles have been adopted.
Sustainability policies, goals, and principles have been adopted.
Answer:
A. Yes
A. Yes
Notes:
Question:
An executive/management level municipal staff person has responsibility for management of the municipal sustainability program expressly included in their job description.
An executive/management level municipal staff person has responsibility for management of the municipal sustainability program expressly included in their job description.
Answer:
A. Yes
A. Yes
Notes:
Local and Regional Cooperation
Question:
The municipality utilizes Intergovernmental Cooperative Agreements (ICA) to engage in multi-municipal endeavors.
The municipality utilizes Intergovernmental Cooperative Agreements (ICA) to engage in multi-municipal endeavors.
Answer:
A. Yes
A. Yes
Notes:
Question:
Intergovernmental Cooperative Agreements include conflict resolution provisions.
Intergovernmental Cooperative Agreements include conflict resolution provisions.
Answer:
A. Yes
A. Yes
Notes:
Question:
Municipality is an active participant in a Council of Governments.
Municipality is an active participant in a Council of Governments.
Answer:
A. Yes
A. Yes
Notes:
Community Engagement
Question:
A program exists to actively pursue and match residents and local businesses to volunteer opportunities to better the community and assist the local government.
A program exists to actively pursue and match residents and local businesses to volunteer opportunities to better the community and assist the local government.
Answer:
A. Yes
A. Yes
Notes:
Question:
Civic engagement, public participation and transparency are regularly assessed and facilitated.
Civic engagement, public participation and transparency are regularly assessed and facilitated.
Answer:
A. Yes
A. Yes
Notes:
Question:
A Historic Review Commission is active.
A Historic Review Commission is active.
Answer:
A. Yes
A. Yes
Notes:
Question:
Municipality communicates with the public via a regularly scheduled newsletter or regularly updated web based communications.
Municipality communicates with the public via a regularly scheduled newsletter or regularly updated web based communications.
Answer:
A. Yes
A. Yes
Notes:
Question:
All municipal-sponsored events have a sustainability-awareness component
All municipal-sponsored events have a sustainability-awareness component
Answer:
A. Yes
A. Yes
Notes:
Healthy Communities
Healthy People
Question:
Outdoor recreation opportunities, amenities, and lifestyles are promoted.
Outdoor recreation opportunities, amenities, and lifestyles are promoted.
Answer:
A. Yes
A. Yes
Notes:
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.
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.
Answer:
A. Yes
A. Yes
Notes:
Question:
The use of pesticides and herbicides is being monitored and reduced by all municipal departments which use them
The use of pesticides and herbicides is being monitored and reduced by all municipal departments which use them
Answer:
A. Yes
A. Yes
Notes:
Local Food
Question:
Education programs are made available for residents on the benefits of organic, locally-purchased food; farmers? markets and farm stands are facilitated.
Education programs are made available for residents on the benefits of organic, locally-purchased food; farmers? markets and farm stands are facilitated.
Answer:
A. Yes
A. Yes
Notes:
Question:
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.).
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.).
Answer:
A. Yes
A. Yes
Notes:
Question:
Incentives exist for establishment of farms and gardens within the municipality.
Incentives exist for establishment of farms and gardens within the municipality.
Answer:
A. Yes
A. Yes
Notes: