Position on the Environment

Sudbury's environmental quality and current programs.
Unfavorable: The Conservation Commission does an excellent job driven by true community and environmental concerns, and an enlightened sense of how Sudbury is part of our planet's ecosystem. We are also extremely fortunate to be adjacent to a large federal wildlife preservation area, and smaller community based land trusts and open space resources. But environmental damage is being done every day by hundreds of idling motor vehicles stuck in traffic along route 20 and other Sudbury roads. Sudbury roads are not safe enough for small energy efficient vehicles, bicycles or scooters due to uncontrolled large automobile traffic. An action plan to reduce traffic congestion and to promote and not hinder needed commuter rail systems is urgently needed, even though the results of those efforts may be many years away.

Pollution control measures.
Unfavorable. Noise pollution is increasing along roadways. Electrical pollution, which may affect emergency communications systems, is increasing as a result of poorly maintained overhead electric power distribution equipment, which also comprises a safety hazard.

Sudbury's Transfer Station as a Community Asset
Favorable: The current measures being taken to sort and separate recyclable materials is a good start and leads to community involvement and goodwill. The availability of a monitored way to drop off or pick up unneeded items is an excellent beginning for wider reuse of otherwise discarded items. Better rules to prevent the loitering of a few individuals who scare off contributions, will bring about a wider and fairer use of this resource.