BETHEL — The Sustainable Bethel Committee, chaired by Jeffrey Allison, and sponsored by the Town of Bethel, recently held a public forum open to all Sullivan County residents at the Duggan School in White Lake. The committee studied emissions generated within the Town of Bethel using data derived by the Hudson Valley Regional Council, which has a state grant to support towns in the Mid-Hudson Region. Its findings show that 26 percent of Bethel’s greenhouse gas emissions stem from inefficiencies in homes, and 51 percent GHGs are from cars. 

Various local firms and government agencies were present to explain how we, as individuals, can reduce GHGs, reduce food waste, preserve and protect water and soil and utilize renewable energy.

Volunteers Michelle Ross, assistant curator at Bethel Woods; Regina Mauren of the Lake Association of White Lake; and Moreen Lerner, manager of the BLDC handed out guest/mailing lists and welcomed the public with a vendor floor plan and the local publication Green and Simple newsletter.

The Bethel Comprehensive Plan Committee was represented by Adam Gold, Jim Lomax, and Dan Gettel, who explained the current goals of Bethel’s rewriting of its Comp Plan in setting forth a foundation for economic vitality and smart growth, housing and workforce retention, and the creation of community well-being through social programs. From public input gathered during their forum last year, a list of key challenges was formulated including the lack of affordable housing, lack of a year-round economy, zoning frustrations, water pollution, land use conflicts and an aging farm population. Their list of key opportunities includes agrivoltaics for solar, business incentives, expanded sewer infrastructures, watershed management, creation of a Town Center, and expansion of broadband. 

Assemblywoman Paula Kay gave a speech about Bill A1749 that she is co-sponsoring to reduce plastic in packaging as a means of solving the problem of limited landfills. The bill had two days to pass at the date of the forum and would ban 17 toxic substances from packaging and outlaw chemical recycling. She urged the public to send letters and emails to the Chair of the State Ways & Means Committee and said “42 percent of our waste comes from packaging.”

Local resident Star Hesse distributed information against the construction of a $44M trash incinerator by the County, as she claims it is “the most polluting, most expensive” means of disposing of waste.

Cornell Cooperative Extension presented slides demonstrating the allocation of home energy usage to 55 percent space heating, 17 percent water heating, and 4 percent air conditioning. The audience was provided an Energy Saving Kit worth $80 containing a surge protector, weatherstripping, a premium rubber weather seal, 8W LED bulbs, and outlet surge protectors. Installation of the devices was demonstrated and they recommended home energy assessments, electric stoves, energy efficient appliances and explained how to read energy bills.

Other vendors and experts included Recycling Coordinator Kassie Thelman of Sullivan County Public Works, who explained food scrap recycling and composting, and spoke about the goal of building a composting facility at the Monticello Transfer Station (landfill site).

Gary Warnstein of Robert Green Chevrolet in Bridgeville, which sells Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep, brought an all-electric Chevrolet Blazer which gets 280 miles on a full charge. He explained the several hybrid modes such as full gas, all electric, or hybrid, whereby both sources in tandem produce better fuel economy. He also explained that charging can be set on an overnight timer which stops automatically, and that the size of the battery pack determines the speed and mileage.

Carol and Dan Bloom, owners of fourth generation Sullivan County Septic, of White Lake, provided a new homebuyer’s guide to septic systems and explained their enterprise, which pumps and drains clogged lines. The process involves testing for high levels of bacteria and metals within NYSDEC parameters to prevent leaching. They also own and maintain 300 portable Ken’s Cans which are treated weekly.