Dorchester Banner
Special to Dorchester Banner Pictured are Cambridge Commissioner Gage Thomas, Commissioner Robert Hanson, Director of Public Works Odie Wheeler, Assistant City Engineer Brent Jett, and Commissioner Donald Sydnor with the Sustainable Maryland Certified award at the Maryland Municipal League conference last week.
COLLEGE PARK — The Environmental Finance Center at the University of Maryland announced that The City of Cambridge was one of 12 Maryland municipalities honored at the Sustainable Maryland Awards Ceremony at the Maryland Municipal League’s annual Fall Conference held in Cambridge this week. Cambridge is the first municipality in Dorchester County to become Sustainable Maryland Certified. Highlights of Cambridge’s accomplishments include: • Constructed the Eastern Shore’s first complete “Green Street,” with porous concrete sidewalks, pervious paver parking areas, raingardens, mid-block and intersection bumpouts to slow traffic, and dedicated bike lanes • Hosts a local Farmers Market on City-owned property, with more than 20 vendors • Installed LED streetlights throughout town, and installing LED lighting in Public Works office, City Hall, Council Chambers, Police Substation and the Marina Office • In conjunction with the Shore Power Project, compiled a Municipal Carbon Footprint, an inventory of the town’s energy usage • Adopted a Green Purchasing Policy for procurement of municipal goods and services • Promotes the Second Saturday and Art Walk, a Buy Local campaign with shops and galleries staying open late with specials, free food, and more. “Receiving the Sustainable Maryland Certified award is a prestigious achievement, one that demonstrates our City’s commitment to the people that live and work here, and the businesses that operate here,” said Cambridge Mayor Victoria Jackson-Stanley. “This certification will help promote Cambridge’s progressive stance on sustainability issues, which endeavors to combine green practices with cost savings.” “We are excited to welcome more municipalities to the growing Sustainable Maryland community,” said Dan Nees, director of the Environmental Finance Center. “This program is a hallmark of our work at the Environmental Finance Center, guiding communities towards healthier, more sustainable futures. Each certification award represents the commitment of local elected officials, municipal staff and Green Team volunteers in these towns and cities to create a stronger, more resilient Maryland.” For detailed information about Cambridge’s sustainability initiatives, contact Brent Jett, assistant city engineer, at 410-228-1955 or bjett@choosecambridge.com
