Liberty explores ‘green’ moves

By John W. Goodwin Jr.

The committee is looking at money- and energy-saving methods for the future.

LIBERTY — One township official is hoping Liberty can become a little more “green” and encourage members of the community to follow suit.

Members of the Liberty Township Environmental Action Committee, headed by Trustee Jodi Stoyak, met for the first time Wednesday afternoon.

Those participating are: Stoyak; June Smallwood, parks and special projects; Pat Ungaro, township administrator; Denny Clouse, retired resident; and Hilary Lipkin, teacher in Liberty Local Schools.

Stoyak said making use of energy-saving techniques and incorporating new practices that will also save energy and money — or going green — is something that the township can embrace more forcefully over the coming years.

“Going green is a philosophy, something you build on over a period of years,” she said. “This is something that is happening all over the country, and at least this part of Ohio has been somewhat slow to catch on.”

Committee members reviewed a list of green ideas already in place in the township, such as:

ULitter cleanups that have been conducted annually over the last 13 years.

UThe “Liberty in Bloom” program where corners and empty spaces have been laced with various plants. That program has been in place for seven years.

UAn ongoing attempt to go to one trash hauler for the entire township. Trustees have been having public hearings to gauge public interest.

UA plan to change light bulbs in all township-operated buildings to lower-wattage bulbs. Stoyak said the move would save the township about $37,000 annually and conserve energy. The cost to make the change is about $20,000.

UA “no idling” policy recently put into effect for police vehicles. The idea is to conserve gas and reduce the $50,000 in fuel used in the department annually.

UThe recycling of office paper.

Ungaro said many green ideas are easily transferred to the everyday lives of residents. He said he hopes township government will not be the only green participants.

“There is a idea here to take the lead and do these things at the government level, but there are principles here that can be converted to the home,” he said.

Clouse said the economic situation in the country, with rising fuel prices, will likely be the driving force compelling others to follow the township’s lead.

Going forward, the committee would like to look at money- and energy-saving ideas such as consolidating the township’s fire stations on one location near the government center, using low environmental-impact cleaning products and purchasing hybrid or more fuel-efficient cars for the police department.

Stoyak said there are also plans to change streetlights to LED lights. She said the move would reduce the township’s $85,000 bill by up to 40 percent.

jgoodwin@vindy.com