Sustainable Westport’s Co-Director Johanna Martell, Program Manager Gretchen Hoffmann, and Residential Energy Team Leader and Rotarian, Dede McDowell, pose with Westport Rotary Club’s Giving Committee Chair, Peter Helt.

Sustainable Westport was recognized alongside 45 other non-profit community organizations at the Westport Rotary Club’s annual Day of Service event. Sustainable Westport’s Co-Director Johanna Martell and Program Manager, Gretchen Hoffmann, were honored to attend the civic organization’s annual luncheon and to receive a $4,000 Community Partnership Organization Grant. The awarded funds will help launch Sustainable Westport’s next exciting Residential Energy initiative.

Thank you to the Rotary Club for your ongoing support of our mission: to inspire, connect, and support the residents, businesses, and government of Westport in making both small changes and big commitments to a healthier, more sustainable future.

The Town of Westport is pleased to announce Westport Green Building Awards to three recipients exemplifying sustainable design and construction.

Winners:

17 Maple Grove Avenue: Owner Scott Harrington

1 Hockanum Rd: Owner Thomas Hensel

Nomade Restaurant: Owners Ciara Webster & Patrick Jean, Solar Consultant John Roundtree

The Westport Green Building Award for Achievement in Sustainable Design and Construction recognizes residential and commercial projects that make, or have made, significant contributions to sustainability and Westport’s future as a Net Zero Community. This award is a collaboration between the Town of Westport and Sustainable Westport and it acknowledges noteworthy accomplishments that add benefit to the Westport community. These winners are a stellar example of what is possible with sustainable design and construction in residential and commercial projects.

17 Maple Grove Avenue is new construction designed and built as net zero energy. All appliances, heating and cooling systems are electric and utilize the Photovoltaic (PV) roof for power. The insulation on the residence exceeds code, including a thermal resistance value (R-value) of 57 at the roof greatly reducing heating and cooling requirements. A smart home scheduler minimizes HVAC use by scheduling window shades to follow the path of the sun and limit heavy electronics usage to only off-peak hours. 17 Maple Grove Avenue is HERS rated with a HERS index score of 10. A HERS score rates a home’s relative performance, with a lower number indicating better performance. An average U.S. reference home has a score of 100.

1 Hockanum Road is a home renovation that integrates a 70 Panel PV system (28.35 kW). This PV system offsets the residence’s power consumption on an annual basis. In addition, an energy audit was conducted to identify energy savings. As a result of the audit, 1 Hockanum added attic insulation, weatherstripping, and mechanical and lighting upgrades. Insulation and weatherstripping reduce the amount of heat gain/loss due to the outdoor temperature and infiltration.  The HVAC system is also upgraded to include smart thermostats to add temperature setback scheduling and duct sealing to ensure processed air is efficiently distributed to the occupied spaces. Duct sealing alone is calculated to save 2,156 kWh per year. Insulation is also installed on the hot water piping to reduce energy losses. Retrofit LED lighting fixtures are installed to reduce power consumption on lighting while still providing the same light levels.

Nomade Restaurant (142-150 Main Street) is located at the site of the former Tavern on Main, originally built in 1810. This project contributes towards the town goal of net zero by 2050 by the renovation and reuse of the existing historic structure and uses renewable energy to reduce dependency on fossil fuels. The roof over the dining terrace features an innovative 10.2 kW, semi-transparent, roof integrated photovoltaic system. In addition to generating clean, renewable electricity, it also brings in natural light, reducing the restaurant’s dependence on electricity for lighting. The visibility of the solar panels is intended to be a conversation starter. It is intended to stimulate the interest of other local business owners and patrons to go solar.

Learn more about Sustainable Westport’s Green Building Awards Program and what you can do to make your home more sustainable.

Interested in applying for the award? The Town of Westport and Sustainable Westport invites Westport residents to submit an application or a nomination for projects that meet the criteria for a Westport Green Building Award as found on our Green Building Awards Program page. You can also email Chris Vornkahl at cvornkahl@westportct.gov, or call him at 203-341-5025 with questions regarding the application process. All Westport properties are eligible to receive the Award. Applicants will be considered on a rolling basis and awarded throughout the year. 

Sustainable Westport is thrilled to partner with The Westport Library to welcome Joe Lamp’l (a.k.a. Joe Gardener), one of the most trusted and sought-after voices in the gardening world, to share his expertise with our community.  In this special event, Joe will share how we can enhance the beauty of our yards while also improving their ecological health. He will provide a practical blueprint for ecological gardening success, covering topics such as promoting healthy soil, reducing lawn size and reliance on harmful chemicals, and understanding the importance of native vs. invasive plants. Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to gain valuable insights and actionable tips for a more sustainable landscape!

We are proud to co-sponsor the upcoming FREE Mattress/Box Spring Recycling Event alongside Earthplace. 

Up to 90% of old mattresses can be recycled into new products like carpet pads, cushioning for exercise equipment and bike seats, insulation, air filters, and steel materials. Shockingly, Americans discard an estimated 20 million mattresses and box springs annually, with approximately 55,000 of them ending up in incinerators and landfills each day.

Bring your dry and unsoiled mattress and/or box spring to Earthplace during the designated time frame. We cannot accept mattresses or box springs that are damaged, wet, or contaminated (ex., bed bugs). If you are unable to transport your mattress or box spring, Westport’s Boy Scout Troop 36 will provide a pickup service for a small donation. Sign up here.

On March 5, 2025, Sustainable Westport hosted an informative webinar all about air- and ground-source heat pump technology. The goal was to help local residents better understand the benefits and considerations of transitioning their homes to this energy-efficient heating and cooling solution.

The webinar featured two expert speakers:

• Matt Corona from the Energize CT Heat Pump Support Team, who shared his extensive experience managing educational programs on heat pumps, weatherization, and other decarbonization measures.
• Brian Gaulzetti, Principal Energy Consultant at Dandelion Energy, who discussed the company’s work helping homeowners across New England transition to renewable geothermal energy.

Attendees gained valuable insights on how heat pump systems work, how they compare to traditional HVAC equipment, and the various incentives and financing options available to support homeowners in making the switch. Watch the recording here:

If you have any follow-up questions about residential energy efficiency and heat pump technology, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our Sustainable Westport Residential Energy Ambassadors at info@sustainablewestport.org. You can also contact Matt or Brian directly using the information below, or you can contact Energize CT directly to set up a consultation here.

Brian Gaulzetti
Principal Energy Consultant, Dandelion Energy
bgaulzetti@dandelionenergy.com
914-809-8932

Matt Corona
Abode Energy Management on behalf of the Sponsors of Energize Connecticut℠
matt.corona@abodeenergy.com
860-955-0989

Sustainable Westport was honored to participate in MoCA’s recent community event, “Art, Infrastructure, and the Environment.”Alongside a talented panel of experts, Co-Director Johanna Martell shared insights on the intersection of creativity, sustainability, and community resilience. The discussion explored how art can inspire dialogue on critical environmental challenges, and the role of infrastructure in shaping a healthier, more sustainable future.

Jo shared, “Using art as a medium to discuss sustainability and the relationship between the built world and preserving and stewarding the natural environment was inspiring. There are many exciting opportunities for Westport to truly integrate sustainability into our infrastructure and how we live day to day.”

As your kids grow, their sports gear often gets left behind. But instead of letting that perfectly good equipment gather dust or go to waste, Sustainable Westport’s “Play it Forward” program gives your gear a second life and provides you with the opportunity to find gently used equipment for the upcoming season.

Sustainable Westport is collecting used soccer cleats, shin guards, and balls in preparation for the upcoming season. You can drop off your gently-used unwanted soccer gear at the “Play it Forward” bins at the Westport/Weston YMCA between Wednesday, March 5, and Saturday, March 22. 

Then please plan to join us for our first Play it Forward Youth Soccer Donation & Exchange Event on Monday, March 24, from 4-7 p.m. at Christ & Holy Trinity Church, where you can browse the donated items and “shop” for equipment you need. It is not necessary to have donated anything in order to shop — all are welcome to stop by and learn more about our efforts toward sustainability. And if you weren’t able to drop off in advance, you can still bring what you no longer use with you on March 24, and take home what you do! 

Any remaining items will be donated to the Bridgeport Field of Dreams Foundation.

By passing on your unused sports gear, you’re not only keeping perfectly good items out of landfills, but also helping others save money and pay it forward. We hope to expand this program to cover additional sports, so if you’re interested in getting involved, please reach out to admin@sustainablewestport.org.

Sustainable Westport invites you to learn all about air- and ground-source heat pumps by joining our experts for an informational webinar. You’ll gain an understanding of the benefits and considerations of heat pump technology, how it could be applied in your home, as well as available incentives. 

Heat Pumps 101 Webinar
Wednesday, March 5, 2025
7:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Zoom link to follow

Matt Corona will be joining us from the Energize CT Heat Pump Support Team. Matt is an energy efficiency professional focused on building decarbonization. Through his experience managing educational programs on heat pumps, weatherization, and other decarbonization measures, Matt is proud to have supported thousands of homeowners, renters, and building managers.

Brian Gaulzetti is the Principal Energy Consultant for Dandelion Energy, where he leads the direct consumer division for geothermal heat pump installations across New England. Brian has been instrumental in helping homeowners transition to renewable geothermal energy. He recently presented at the 2024 Yale Clean Energy Conference on the topic “Enhancing Geothermal.” 

Register for this free event to receive the link to attend!

Sustainable Westport recently hosted a captivating event at the Westport Library, where the community gathered to learn about the power of composting. The panel discussion, moderated by Sustainable Westport co-director Gately Ross, featured Westport resident and author Scott Smith, whose book “On Compost: A Year in the Life of a Suburban Garden,” chronicles his personal journey with composting, and Tim O’Connor, the executive director of the Park City Compost Initiative.

Attendees gained valuable insights into the myriad benefits of diverting food waste, from reducing waste and enriching soil to combating climate change. O’Connor used his expertise as a CT DEEP Volume Reduction Facility Operator and Master Composter to share the immense value of food scrap diversion and spoke openly about the need for municipal/community support and the challenges in that quest. Smith’s passion for sustainability shone through, inspiring the audience to embark on their own composting journey – possibly right in their own backyard. 

If you missed the event, please find the recording below. If you are interested in learning more about composting, be sure to visit our composting resources page. We have pulled a wealth of information and resources to help you get started.

Congratulations to Scott Smith on the release of his book, “On Compost,” which is available for purchase on Amazon. And a big thank you to the Park City Compost Initiative for their participation in this informative and engaging event.