Last year, 2024, was a good year for the Taghkanic Climate Smart Communities (CSC) task force. This group of volunteer residents has been working together since 2021 to promote energy-saving upgrades to town infrastructure; sponsor presentations on community solar, heat pumps, and home weatherization programs; and to offer a series of Taghkanic Talks presentations on the importance of native plant species for ecological sustainability. The success of this committee has also made Taghkanic eligible to apply for grants offered by the NY State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and the NY State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). In 2024, the CSC applied for and was awarded just over $200,000 in grant funding.
Taghkanic-Churchtown Rd Culvert: $136,435
The large concrete culvert running under Taghkanic-Churchtown Rd. near the intersection with Cross St. is in need of replacement, Recently, through the efforts of the CSC and the talented people at Trout Unlimited, the town was awarded a DEC grant of $136,435 to replace the culvert with a new structure. Trout Unlimited got involved because the existing structure had shifted and was a barrier to upstream access for aquatic species - in particular native trout and American eel, both of which use such smaller streams for breeding purposes. This is a matching grant, for which the town will supply an in kind contribution in the form of materials and all the construction labor.
Town Garage: $50,000
If you look carefully the next time you drive by the Taghkanic Highway Garage at the intersection of CR-27 and Pumpkin Hollow Road, you may see the new 14.4 kW rooftop solar panel array. In 2024 the Taghkanic Climate Smart Communities (CSC) task force applied for and was awarded a $50,000 grant from to fund the installation of solar panels and heat pumps at the garage.
The solar array will supply all of the electrical requirements at the garage, which can be as high as 17,000 kWh annually. Air-source heat pumps were installed in the Supervisor's office and the break room, replacing the propane-based units that have been in use.
Highway & Fire Departments: $10,000
The Taghkanic CSC was also awarded a $10,000 grant from NYSERDA for the purchase of battery-powered equipment for the Highway and Fire Departments. These funds were used to purchase the following items:
Highway Department:
2 - Dewalt leaf blowers
1 - Dewalt pole saw
1 - Dewalt string trimmer
1 - Milwaukee plate compactor
Spare batteries and chargers
Fire Department
Dewalt battery-operated chainsaws with conversion kits for roofs
Spare batteries and chargers
Climate Smart Committee Green Fund: $5,000
The CSC has been organizing a number of events over the years, such as Taghkanic Talks presentations at the firehouse and native species plantings at the town hall or Lake Taconic State Park. The CSC was awarded a grant of $5,000.o to help support the costs associated with these events, and the funds will help defray the costs of items such as refreshments, audio-visual equipment, and native seedlings.
Great job Climate Smarties!!!!