Newtown Township

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

Question:
The municipality utilizes a system for collection of delinquent taxes and fees in order to mitigate blight and abandonment.

Question:
Staffing is in place sufficient to enforce building and maintenance codes.

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

Question:
All municipal buildings have an active recycling program.

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

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

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:
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.

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

Question:
Sustainability policies, goals, and principles have been adopted.

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

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

Question:
Procedures are in place to measure and track the impacts of the sustainability program (and yearly reporting to the public on results is conducted).

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.

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

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

Question:
An Environmental Advisory Council is active.

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 is an active participant in a Council of Governments.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.).

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

Question:
The use of pesticides and herbicides is being monitored and reduced by all municipal departments which use them

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

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