The Hamilton Climate Preparedness Working Group (HCPWG)

est. April 2016

MISSION

Our mission is to research, plan, and promote policies and programs in response to existing and future impacts of climate change. The Working Group supports efforts to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change, working collaboratively with our local communities to track and cut emissions. The Working Group also seeks to identify people and resources vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, in order to promote the sustainability of our communities for the twenty-first century and beyond.

VISION

The Town and Village of Hamilton are climate responsible communities, proactively working to reduce our contributions to climate change and to prepare our community for the impacts of a changing climate. In 2030, Hamilton is a model community that:

• Serves as a leader and supportive partner to other rural communities seeking to prepare for climate change.

• Tracks and manages our activities in order to reduce our emissions of carbon dioxide and other contributors to the greenhouse warming effect, with a long-term goal of eliminating or offsetting our part in climate change.

• Develops a diverse, multi-use transportation infrastructure, emphasizing modes that reduce or eliminate dependence on fossil fuels, such as public transportation, carpooling, walking and biking, and low- or zero-emission vehicles powered by clean and renewable energy.

• Supplies clean and renewable energy to our homes and businesses and invests in conservation measures to make our buildings as efficient as possible.

• Supports our farmers by buying local and responsibly produced food that protects and improves soil health and natural resources, rural livelihoods and social well-being, fair treatment of animals and livestock, and that builds ecological, community, and economic resiliency.

• Develops opportunities for land-use models, protections, and strategies that encourage ecosystem health and mitigate climate impacts.

• Achieves a deep capacity to prevent, endure, and recover from climate-related disruptions.

Includes ALL community members in this vision and supports our most vulnerable neighbors from the dangers of a changing climate.

MEMBERSHIP

The Working Group brings together representatives and citizens from the Town and Village of Hamilton, New York and Colgate University, meeting approximately once per month. A member of the group with appropriate expertise and interest is appointed as Chair to lead the group.

Members of this group include:

• • Town Supervisor, Town of Hamilton

  • Mayor of the Village of Hamilton

  • President of the Municipal Utilities Commission, Village of Hamilton (or designee)

  • President of the Hamilton Business Alliance (or designee)

  • President of the Partnership for Community Development (or designee)

  • An elected board member and/or staff employee for the Town of Hamilton

  • An elected board member and/or staff employee for the Village of Hamilton

  • Director of the Partnership for Community Development

  • Staff or administration from the Hamilton Central School District.  

  • Director of Sustainability, Colgate University

  • Staff from the Madison County Planning Department

  • Director of the Upstate Institute or designee from the Upstate Institute Executive Board, Colgate University

  • Faculty, staff, administration, and student representation from local educational institutions with relevant experience and interest

  • Representatives from the agricultural community, such as Cornell Cooperative Extension and/or Madison County Farm Bureau

  • Two citizens each appointed from the Town and Village of Hamilton, for staggered three-year terms.

Advisory support for the group includes:

• • Madison County Planning Department

  • Central New York Regional Planning and Development Board

  • New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Office of Climate Change.