Town of Fairfield leads climate resiliency informational sessions

These issues will better prepare residents for future challenges, whether it be flooding, emergency evacuations, or utility outages, making sure residents and businesses have access to every resource available. (contributed photos)

The Town of Fairfield’s Economic and Community Development Committee (FECDC) is partnering with the State of Maine’s Community Resilience Partnership to host a series of four public informational sessions on climate resiliency.

These sessions will focus on resiliency topics and available resources based on outputs and recommendations from the State of Maine’s recently updated Climate Action Plan. The state’s 2024 climate action plan builds upon the 2020 Maine Won’t Wait framework, addressing climate change impacts, strengthening resilience efforts, and ensuring Maine meets its statutory greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets.

The first information session scheduled for February 25, was postponed. It has been rescheduled for Wednesday, March 19, 2025, at the Fairfield Community Center, 61 Water Street, Fairfield, ME from 6 – 7:30 p.m., at Fairfield Community Center, 61 Water Street, Fairfield.

The first session will provide an overview of Climate Plan updates, presented by Maine Climate Council Coordinator, Amalia Siegel. The session will be recorded.

Contributed photo

“These public sessions represent a culmination of ongoing work at the state and local level here in Fairfield over the last three years” cited Fairfield Town Manager Michelle Flewelling. “Through collaborating with the Community Resilience Partnership, which Fairfield joined in 2022, we are excited to bring our community together to engage with these important issues and better prepare us for future challenges: whether it be flooding, emergency evacuations, or utility outages, we want to make sure our residents and businesses have access to every resource available”

The Maine Won’t Wait Climate Action plan is a culmination of work and feedback from over 200 working group and task force members, more than 1,000 survey responses, seven public meetings with over 350 participants, and targeted outreach by the University of Maine’s Mitchell Center to engage underrepresented communities. These public sessions offer an opportunity for the State of Maine and collaborating municipalities to provide the findings, recommendations, and pass along resources for residents and business owners.

Future sessions, hosted by Fairfield’s Economic and Community Development Committee, will focus on home resiliency best practices, preparedness, education, and training. The next session scheduled for May 20, 2025, will provide residents with an introduction to understanding the Emergency Management System for the town, county, and state. Information and scheduling for future sessions will be posted on the Town of Fairfield website once scheduled and announced at each session. Residents from not only Fairfield, but also the surrounding area are encouraged to attend.

“The Economic and Community Development Committee is deeply committed to incorporating the principles and thoughtfulness of resilience into our planning and programming” commented FECDC Chairman Stephanie Thibodeau. “We invite the community to come together for these information sessions and elevate our residents’ preparedness for the years to come”

The Economic and Community Development Advisory Committee is open to all Fairfield residents, business owners, and educators with an interest in community development. Meetings are held monthly at the Fairfield Community Center and are open to the public. Visit Fairfield’s online calendar of events for meeting schedules.