Maine Partners for Cool Communities

Bowdoinham Select Board has appointed a Land Use Revision Group that is in the process of making recommendations to the Town that will preserve open space as well as control growth and reduce sprawl. This same group proposed an amended Subdivision Ordinance. The amended ordinance provided for all new subdivisions to have designated common open space of at least 25% of the “usable” land. It was passed by the voters.

Also, the Biking, Walking, Paddling Group, another group appointed by the Select Board, is working with a planner through Midcoast Council for Business Development, to write a transportation vision statement that will, among other things, promote trails and improve the” walkability” of the village area. The Public Works department practices no idling.

The town is changing the lights over to energy efficient bulbs as well as replacing the light fixtures, if needed. Also, the Christmas tree lights were switched over to energy efficient lights this year. The thermostats have been turned down at all town-owned buildings (fire station, Coombs School, Public Works building, etc.). The thermostats in the Fire Station bays have been turned down to 55 degrees.

Bowdoinham has had a very progressive recycling program since the late 1980’s. We continue the commitment to recycling and have one of the highest recycling rates in the state. Additionally, we have a pilot project at the “barn” using worms to breakdown food waste and paper to soil. The local school children have been to the “barn’ to learn more about this program.

Though Bowdoinham is a small community and doesn’t have the resources to purchase software that will help determine our community’s carbon footprint, we have adopted practices that will help to reduce energy costs.