FormTomorrow

The Town of Hatch insulates and goes solar

On June 8th, 2011, Town of Hatch officials completed the final walk through with their contractors, and officially started the towns solar system. With support from the Five County Association of Governments, Form Tomorrow, and local citizens, the Town of Hatch received Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) funding form the Utah State Energy Program made possible by Federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding.  Grid tied solar photovoltaic systems were installed on the town’s new community center, the town’s water pumping station, and the fire station. Combined with other energy saving strategies, these installations will substantially reduce the operational cost of the town’s facilities, saving the town and the taxpayers money now, and in the future. EECBG funds were also used to insulate the town’s fire station, and to install an efficient heating and cooling system.

Small town’s are especially vulnerable to swings in energy costs. In the past the Town of Hatch contended with a $3000.00 propane bills for its fire station, in a town of 100 full time residents, greatly impacting the cost of necessary services. In this case, energy efficiency has a direct impact on the financial sustainability of the town, now and in the future. While many people the effectiveness of ARRA, the Utah State Energy Program should be credited for getting these funds into small rural communities where they could make a difference. More than anyone else, Lucinda Josie, Town Councilor in the Town of Hatch, deserves high praise for coordinating her communities effort, and navigating the red tape involved in any grant funded project. While it was not easy, it will certainly be worth it. Form Tomorrow is proud to have supported the efforts put forth by the Town of Hatch, and congratulates the town. We also want to congratulate and thank Precision Development, the general contractor, and Solar Unlimited, the solar specialist, for their patience and perseverance during these projects. A great deal of effort was put forth by all parties.

Listen to an Audio Interview with Lucinda Josie, Councilor in the Town of Hatch here. . . .

Education to Action is upon us

Thanks to the actions of the communities of Eastern Washington County, Education to Action is moving forward, full steam ahead. Form Tomorrow has secured housing for the Education to Action interns in the City of LaVerkin, the Town of Virgin, in Cave Valley, and in the Town of Rockville. We have interns staying throughout the areas in which they will be working. This is heartening news for those of us who have been organizing the program, as we want to ensure that students have maximum immersion in the communities they are serving.

A special thank you to homestay families can be found here, as well as ways for you to help.

For those of you new to Education to Action, the premise is simple: students seeking advanced degrees gain valuable work experience serving small communities. Form Tomorrow staff provides guidance and resources to the students as they do their work. Education to Action is designed as a transitional experience from education to work that allows students to actively make a difference while gaining real world experience.

This years projects include a Future Land Use Map for the Town of Virgin, a continuation of extensive public process already completed by the town, and a master plan for dispersed camping for the Zion Canyon Corridor Commission. Both projects address very real and pressing needs. To learn more about either project, visit our knowledge base where you will find audio interviews with key participants in the projects.  Take a look at some of the Education to Action Resources.

AIA Chapter

The five Southwestern Counties in Utah now have their very own regional chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA). Local Architect Ben Roger’s began the effort to start a chapter in 2008, working closely with Elizabeth Mitchell, Executive Director of the Utah AIA, and several local architects. When asked what the establishment of this chapter meant to local communities, Roger’s responded, “As Architects, our role is to help improve our communities, through good design and proper planning.” Traditionally, architects have played a wider roll in their communities, and we hope that the establishment of this chapter will further that involvement. Form Tomorrow welcomes the AIA’s new Chapter to Southwestern Utah, and welcomes their future efforts.

Arizona is Burning

Like many people, we are keeping a close watch on the fires in Arizona. Although we have been fortunate so far this fire season, there are many things that remind us that that could change at any time. Our wet spring resulted in a large crop of cheat grass and other flammable materials, and the dry weather is just around the corner.

We are also connected to the fires in Arizona by the numerous people in our community who are there now contending with the fires. David Eaker of Zion National Park was scheduled to do an audio interview for this news letter, but was called to Arizona suddenly last Friday. We wish David, and all the fire personnel from around the country fighting the fires well, and hope they can return to their families safely.

It is also a good time, before the weather gets too hot, for every one of us to take inventory of our own homes and pastures. The speed of the Kolob fire in 2006 is a reminder that it is often too late to consider fire hygiene after a fire has begun. Consider the things every one of us can do to prevent disaster:

1)Cut down stands of dry, non-native vegetation, like cheat grass, and remove it from the landscape. Often, the disturbed areas around homes and businesses are thick with dead grasses at this time of year. It is also a good time to clean out the gutters, and rake up dead leaves that may not have been dealt with in the fall. Scrap materials, and other waste should be similarly dealt with.

2)Establish a defensible space around your home, pay attention to the location of vehicles, trailers, and fire wood so that there is adequate space around your home for fire personnel to work. Make sure that gates and other obstacles are operable, and that access ways are not cluttered. Recognize that even if your home is not on the front line of the wild land interface that fire is still a significant danger, and that fire personnel appreciate clean access regardless.

3)Clean out the shed or garage, paying close attention to the storage of flammable materials. Dispose of flammable materials properly. (Washington County Solid Waste District will have a day for collecting Household Hazardous waste in October, watch their website, http://www.wcsw.org/household-hazardous-waste/ for the announcement of the exact date sometime in September).

It is also important to consider our part in reducing potential sources of ignition, trailer chains, hot mufflers, barbecues, and many other things associated with recreation have at one time or another started a wild fire. Taking the time to ascertain the fire danger and to take the proper care is essential.

Finally, it would be wise for all of us to prepare a 72 hour kit, and to keep some basic emergency supplies in our cars. Even if your home is not threatened directly, we are all impacted by road closures and evacuations.