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Annual Session - Resolutions and Results
Resolutions are available for download in PDF form on the downloads page.
Resolutions for year:
1. RE: BANNING OF ROUND-UP PRODUCTS

WHEREAS Round-Up products were intended as an herbicide as a means to control and eliminate invasive species such as poison ivy, and

WHEREAS research has determined that the active ingredient, glyphosate and the inert ingredients of Round-Up are responsible for an alarming increase in illness and death in birds, animals and potentially humans, and

WHEREAS it has been demonstrated that Round-Up kills bees and other insects, and

WHEREAS when in use, the run-off from this herbicide is detrimental to the aquifer and may be toxic to amphibians and fish, and

WHEREAS other developed countries in the world have currently been in the process of banning Round-Up products.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the national Grange contact a representative of the Environmental Protection Agency and the United States Department of Agriculture to encourage the development of legislation to ban the sale and use of Round-Up products or their chemical equivalents in the United States of America.


Resolution was originally submitted for consideration at the 134th Annual Session where it was tabled to be numbered Res. #1 of the 135th Annual Session and sent to the State Grange Agriculture Commit

 Adopted:
Rejected:
2. RE: CONNECTICUT’S “INVISIBLE” RESIDENTS

WHEREAS a recent report by the State of Maine Department of Motor Vehicles states there are more than 1,457 Connecticut residents with vehicles registered in Maine, and

WHEREAS these scofflaws cause millions of dollars in lost property tax revenue to Connecticut’s municipalities and, in turn, increased tax burden on the rest of the State’s residents, and

WHEREAS towns like Manchester and Colchester invested a great amount of time and money tracking down, valuing and listing vehicles owned by these “invisible” residents one by one, and

WHEREAS communication between the Connecticut DMV and their counterparts in other states is severely lacking, and

WHEREAS improved communication and shared information between the six New England states and New York along would go a long way towards improving this situation along with enforcement of the rarely enforced $1,000 fine for failure to register vehicles in the State of Connecticut within 60 days.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED the Connecticut State Grange go on record encouraging the State of Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles to work with the five other New England states and New York to improve communication and information sharing between the states to improve compliance with state law, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the $1,000 fine for failure to register vehicles in the State of Connecticut within 60 days of taking residence be strictly enforced.


Winchester Grange No. 74

 Adopted:
Rejected:
3. RE: OVERHAUL OF CONNECTICUT DMV

WHEREAS fees charged by the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles are well above the nationwide average in nearly every category, and

WHEREAS Connecticut’s residents continue to pay a premium for DMV services while receiving substandard service and wait times at offices that can exceed two hours, and

WHEREAS failures in DMV systems have resulted in (but are not limited to) thousands of residents driving on expired registrations because of failures in DMV notification systems, and

WHEREAS the State of Connecticut is considering reintroducing tolls to increase revenue at a time when the DMV is losing revenue through its inability to track out of state registration and license scofflaws, and

WHEREAS Governor Lamont’s proposed solution to the problem is to extend driver’s license renewals from six to eight years and registrations from two to three years, and

WHEREAS these proposals may reduce public interactions with the DMV, but they certainly do not correct the tremendous problems with this agency which includes a computer system that’s been plagued with problems since its installation and other computer systems used by the agency that are simply out of date, and

WHEREAS Connecticut taxpayers should demand better service, modern systems and a higher level of accountability from the DMV rather than excuses and quick fixes.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED the Connecticut State Grange urge the General Assembly to demand changes and/or pass legislation overhauling the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles from the ground up with modern computer systems, greater accountability and a level of customer service that is commensurate with the fees charged.


Winchester Grange No. 74

 Adopted:
Rejected:
4. RE: ELIMINATION OF STYROFOAM/POLYSTYRENE

WHEREAS Styrofoam is the DOW Chemical trade name for expanded polystyrene plastic manufactured in the United States since 1947, and

WHEREAS expanded polystyrene is used in a wide array of products like building insulation, crafting materials, floral arrangements and food packaging, and

WHEREAS nearly 2.5 million drinking cups made from expanded polystyrene are used in the United States each year, and

WHEREAS nearly 30% of all landfill space is consumed by polystyrene, and

WHEREAS polystyrene recycling is extremely limited because it can only be re-purposed into itself or a very similar material, and

WHEREAS it is believed that it can take up to 500 years for polystyrene to break down, but only if exposed to sunlight, and

WHEREAS the cost of biodegradable replacements for polystyrene based products continue to be very expensive due, in part, to the widespread availability of inexpensive polystyrene products, and

WHEREAS Connecticut recently enacted laws limiting the use of plastic shopping bags, and

WHEREAS the use of polystyrene is just as environmentally irresponsible as the use of plastic bags, and

WHEREAS the elimination of single-serve food containers containing expanded polystyrene would be a great step towards improving our environment.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED the Connecticut State Grange urge the Connecticut General Assembly to pass legislation eliminating the use of single-serve expanded polystyrene (Styrofoam) food packaging in this state.


Winchester Grange No. 74

 Adopted:
Rejected:
5. RE: GUN-FREE GRANGE MEETING & EVENT VENUES

WHEREAS Grange meetings and events are held in a variety of venues, but not limited to, e.g.: a dedicated Grange Hall, a public space such as a library, church hall, school, community center, restaurant or catering hall, public or private park, or even a private residence, and

WHERAS certain law enforcement officials are required to carry a permitted gun, concealed or visible, on their person at all times, and

WHEREAS in the Ritual for opening the Subordinate/Community Grange meeting, the Gatekeeper’s declaration “I therefore close this Outer Gate in Faith, in Hope and Charity and will guard it with Fidelity” implies that the Grange Meeting is a safe place, and

WHEREAS in the Ritual for closing the Subordiante/Community Grange meeting, the Master’s declaration “Let us be quiet, peaceful citizens” implies that the Grange meeting is a safe place, and

WHEREAS in the opening charge to the First Degree candidates, the Master’s declaration that “the chief objective of the Grange is to build a better and higher manhood and womanhood, and to develop a mutual respect and concern through Brotherhood” implies that the Grange meeting is a safe place, and

WHEREAS it is recognized that some citizens have properly secured a permit to carry a visible or concealed gun on their person.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that all Grange meetings and events must, at all times, be a safe place for members and non-members to meet, gather and participate, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that for the safety of all Grange members and non-members attending such meetings or events, guns are not necessary on the meeting or event premises, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that only authorized law enforcement officials will be allowed to carry a permitted visible or concealed gun at or on Grange meetings or event premises, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that any person carrying a gun on their person (other than authorized law enforcement officials required to carry a visible or concealed gun) must not bring it on to the Grange meeting or event premises, but either leave the gun at home or secured and locked in the glove box of their vehicle before coming on the premises of a Grange meeting or event, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that guns have no place or use in a Grange meeting or event and therefore all Grange meetings and event spaces are gun-free at all times, and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that this resolution be sent to the 2019 National Grange Session for their consideration and approval.


Cannon Grange No. 152

 Adopted:
Rejected:
6. RE: DIGITAL COUPONS

WHEREAS many businesses are issuing digital coupons, and

WHEREAS many people, especially senior citizens, are not literate in technology, nor have access to the required technology in order to use digital coupons.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED all digital coupons issued by any business should be automatically connected to the customer courtesy card, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED Connecticut State Grange Executive Committee urge our State Legislators to consider creating a bill to address this situation.


Enfield Grange No. 151

 Adopted:
Rejected:
7. RE: OPPOSING TOLLS IN CONNECTICUT

WHEREAS the Governor and many members of the State Legislature have signaled support for the placement of tolls on Connecticut’s major roadways, and

WHEREAS many of the residents of Sterling and Voluntown use these roadways each day for work, family obligations, and pleasure and spend a significant amount of time on these traffic congested roads, and

WHEREAS the residents of Connecticut deserve, and the future prosperity of our state depends on the establishment and maintenance of a world class transportation infrastructure, the costs of implementation of such infrastructure ought not be largely funded by those who cannot afford to pay it, but by means and ideas meant to relieve the citizenry of that burden, and

WHEREAS the implementation of tolls will result in a significant amount of traffic on Sterling’s roads as drivers attempt to avoid the cost burden, and

WHEREAS the residents of Connecticut already pay more in taxes and fees than most residents in other states around the country.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED the members of Ekonk Community Grange are opposed to the imposition of tolls on its residents and urges its elected representatives in the State Legislature to oppose any measure that would impose tolls on our constituents.


Ekonk Community Grange No. 89

 Adopted:
Rejected:
8. RE: FELONS SHALL NOT BE ELIGIBLE FOR STATE OFFICE IN CONNECTICUT

WHEREAS the spiritual health of any political entity rests upon the public’s trust in the ethical integrity of its government, and

WHEREAS the government of democratic societies is drawn by election from its citizenry, and

WHEREAS the People of a democratic society, by common consent, may impose such requirements and restrictions on eligibility for election to public office as they see fit to ensure that eligible persons shall maintain or advance the public trust in government, and

WHEREAS it is not possible to know with absolute certainty any individual person’s integrity; but the best gauge so far known to estimate their integrity is their known history of conduct; and

WHEREAS innumerable examples exist of persons who committed past transgressions in the public trust and may or may not have intended better in the future, yet committed further transgressions when again so entrusted,
and

WHEREAS the potential injury to the body politic from such transgressions transcends economic, material, or other immediate damage, but may extend to enduring erosion of public trust in all government, to the spiritual detriment of all citizens.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the policy and law of the State of Connecticut shall permanently forbid eligibility for any elective office to any person found guilty in any court in the United States of committing a felonious breach of public trust while holding any public office, but such persons shall not be otherwise be barred from public employment.


Cheshire Grange No. 23

 Adopted:
Rejected:
9. RE: PAYMENT FOR DELEGATES

WHEREAS Delegates to State Session are no longer reimbursed for mileage to the Session, and

WHEREAS Delegates are no longer given a stipend for attending each day’s attendance, and

WHEREAS Delegates do not have an incentive to stay beyond the opening roll call of Granges, and

WHEREAS by the final day of the Session, barely more than a quorum is left to vote on resolutions to be accepted or rejected, and

WHEREAS some of the last resolutions could directly affect or change State Grange policy.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Executive Committee of the Connecticut State Grange determine one fair amount to be provided to the delegates for mileage traveled and sessions attended, and payment of this amount not be given until the end of the final day of the State Session, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that failure to attend the full session negates the payment, and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED this policy become effective at the 2020 Session of the Connecticut State Grange.


Enfield Grange No. 151

 Adopted:
Rejected:
10. RE: CONNECTICUT GRANGER

WHEREAS many non-Grangers visit the Connecticut State Grange website seeking information, and

WHEREAS there is much information regarding the various departments and contests on the website, and

WHEREAS there is no separate space dedicated to access an online version of the Connecticut Granger on the website.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Webmaster shall set up an appropriate program to add all the Granger articles each month.


Enfield Grange No. 151

 Adopted:
Rejected:
11. RE: LANGUAGE

WHEREAS the National, State and Local Community Granges have several promotional means to attract members, and

WHEREAS the population in the United States is very ethnically diverse, and

WHEREAS all Federal and State Publication and notifications are now printed in more than the English language, and

WHEREAS most utility companies offer billing and advertisements in more than English, and

WHEREAS the promotional items of the National, State and local Granges, such as pamphlets, signs and websites are all printed and presented in English only.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED all printed promotional publications of the National and State Granges be printed in English and Spanish, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED this resolution be sent to the 2019 National Grange Session for their approval.


Enfield Grange No. 151

 Adopted:
Rejected:
12. RE: CABLE TELEVISION

WHEREAS the cost of cable television increased drastically in the past few years, and

WHEREAS when a problem occurs and a call for assistance is made to the cable provider, and

WHEREAS this call is usually directed to a person from a foreign country, and

WHEREAS most times it is very difficult to understand the instructions from this technician.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Public Utilities Commission be urged to insist that these calls be responded to by a person of the same language as the caller.


Beacon Valley Grange No. 103

 Adopted:
Rejected:
13. RE: CLEANLINESS OF TABLES IN FAST FOOD RESTAURANTS

WHEREAS full-service restaurants have servers who attend to the cleanliness of tables before and after customers have been eating, and

WHEREAS “Fast Food” restaurants that have seating areas do not have personal servers to clear and clean tables after each use, and

WHEREAS “Fast Food” restaurants often have high volume of customers and rapid turnover of use of tables, and

WHEREAS the tables, table edges, and seats in “Fast Food” restaurants often appear that they have not been attended to for cleanliness in a timely manner, and

WHEREAS consideration of a need for regular cleaning of eating areas is an important aspect of illness prevention, and

WHEREAS “Fast Food” restaurants do typically have strict policies for cleanliness of their kitchen and public restroom areas, and

WHEREAS Public Health should be considered regarding tables in which food has been handled by customers and possibly spilled, and where individuals may have been coughing or sneezing, and

WHEREAS as a customer takes a seat, it is unknown if the previous occupant of the table had followed practices for personal cleanliness, and

WHEREAS regulations do exist regarding establishments who have food buffets such that “sneeze guards” are required, as a good example designed to prevent the spread of illness.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Connecticut State Grange, representing consumer concerns, contact the State Department of Public Health and request that they consider this issue and make recommendations for Fast Food restaurants to design and implement standards and formal schedules related to cleaning the tables and seats in their dining areas.


Nutmeg Pomona No. 16

 Adopted:
Rejected:
14. RE: BLUE WATER NAVY VIETNAM VETERANS ACT

WHEREAS during the Vietnam War the Federal government sprayed a chemical known as “Agent Orange” to removed jungle foliage, and

WHEREAS this spraying exposed our men and women fighting in this war to Agent Orange, and

WHEREAS it has been found that exposure to this chemical has been linked to devastating health issues such as non-Hodgin’s Lymphoma, various cancers, Type II Diabetes and Parkinson’s disease, and

WHEREAS the Agent Orange Act of 1991 empowered the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to recognize these diseases are a possible result of Agent Orange and enabled these veterans to receive disability compensation, and

WHEREAS in 2002 the VA stopped awarding benefits to those veterans who served in the waters off Vietnam and only allowed awards to those with “boots on the ground”, and

WHEREAS these veterans who served offshore in the waters of Vietnam now have to file individual applications to be decided case by case, and

WHEREAS even though these veterans were offshore they were still exposed to Agent Orange through seawater polluted with this chemical runoff and many are suffering with the long-lasting effects linked to Agent Orange exposure.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Grange supports the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act (H.R. 299) or something similar which will restore the disability benefits to those who served in the waters along the Vietnamese coast during the Vietnam War and may not have served on the land as “boots on the ground” veterans, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this resolution be forwarded to the National Grange for its consideration.


Coventry Grange No. 75

 Adopted:
Rejected:
15. RE: SUPPORT TOLLS ON CONNECTICUT HIGHWAYS

WHEREAS the General Assembly and the Governor have approved the use of tolls on Connecticut’s highway system, and

WHEREAS the Connecticut Highway System is in disrepair due to lack of funding from the Federal Highway Fund and the Connecticut Gas Tax, and

WHEREAS many of our neighboring states have tolls on some of their highways to fund road repairs, and

WHEREAS most state tolls are collected by EZ Pass or by photography of vehicles, and

WHEREAS most toll plazas have been replaced with a Gantry system so traffic flow is not effected by taking tolls.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Connecticut Department of Transportation take a common sense approach with a recommendation of placing these Toll Gantries near state borders on I-95, I-84, I-91 and the Merritt Parkway and encourage a rapid installation of these Toll Gantries to start generating revenue for Connecticut’s highway funds, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Connecticut State Grange support this recommendation.


Coventry Grange No. 75

 Adopted:
Rejected:
16. RE: SCHOOL BUS SAFETY

WHEREAS school buses transport millions of children to and from school each day of the week, and

WHEREAS transportation officials estimate that motorists illegally pass stopped school buses tens of thousands of times each day, and

WHEREAS parents should be confident that their children are being transported to school safely, and

WHEREAS installing cameras on the stop arms of school buses to catch motorists who put students at risk of accidents would act as another tool in enforcing the law against passing a stopped bus.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED the Connecticut State Grange Legislative Committee initiate a bill to our State Senators and/or Representatives to have cameras installed on all of the stop arms of school buses, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED this resolution be forwarded to the next session of the National Grange together with a recommendation for favorable action on a national scale to encourage other states to enact similar legislation.


Mountain Laurel Pomona No. 15

 Adopted:
Rejected:
17. RE: CONNECTICUT TO BAN DECLAWING (ONYCHECTOMY)

WHEREAS cats are digitigrade, which means they walk on their toes. Their back, shoulder, paw and leg joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments and nerves are naturally designed to support and distribute the cat’s weight across its toes as it walks, runs, and climbs, and

WHEREAS cat’s claws are used for balance, and

WHEREAS cats stretch their muscles by digging their claws into a surface and pulling back against their own claw hold. This is the only way a cat can exercise, stretch and tone the muscles of its back and shoulders, and

WHEREAS declawing is an extreme measure in which the entire last part (digit) of the ten front toe bones are amputated, and

WHEREAS according to Dr. Nicholas Dodman (Tufts School of Veterinary Medicine) “declawing fits the dictionary definition of mutilation,” and

WHEREAS complications, including infection, and hemorrhage are common immediately after surgery (approx. 50%), and

WHEREAS 19.8% of declawed cats develop complications after release, including long term pain, bone protrusion into the pad of the paw, prolonged intermittent lameness and abnormal stance, and

WHEREAS 33% of declawed cats developed long term behavior changes. Cats may become withdrawn, introverted, nervous, fearful, and/or aggressive often resorting to their only remaining means of defense, their teeth, and

WHEREAS in some cases, when declawed cats use the litterbox after surgery their feet are so tender they associate their new pain with the box, and

WHEREAS some declawed cats that can no longer mark with their claws, mark with urine instead resulting in inappropriate elimination problems, which in many cases, results in relinquishment of the cats to shelters and ultimately euthanasia, and

WHEREAS alternatives to declawing exist, such as trimming their nails, nail caps and providing appropriate surfaces to scratch (sisal or cardboard scratching boxes, catnip), and

WHEREAS declawing serves no useful purpose, only causing pain and mutilation, and

WHEREAS on June 4, 2019 the State of New York passed legislation banning onychectomy, as have some US cities and many European countries.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Connecticut State Grange urge the General Assembly to demand putting an end to this barbaric and inhumane practice of performing onychectomy (feline digital amputation), partial or complete phalangectomy (removal of toes), or tendonectomy (removal of tendons) on a cat except when medically necessary. Failure to comply to be punishable by sizable fines, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that cosmetic or esthetic reasons and convenience do not qualify as medically necessary.

Vernon Grange No. 52

 Adopted:
Rejected:
18. RE: REPEALING PUBLIC ACT 19-24- AN ACT STREAMLINING THE LIQUOR CONTROL ACT

WHEREAS PA 19-24 was passed at the last state legislative session is the biggest loss for farmers with the creation of new manufacturing classification permit for wine, cider and mead, and

WHEREAS Connecticut wineries had worked diligently since the 1970s to modify the State’s restrictive liquor permits and regulations with the goal of expanding and enhancing the state’s wineries, and

WHEREAS these successes generated included on-farm direct retail sale to the public, on-farm wine tastings and distribution to retail outlets with the stipulation that a majority of the grapes are grown on the farm, and

WHEREAS the new winery permit does not require a Connecticut winery to grow or use any Connecticut grown fruit, and

WHEREAS removing this locally grown requirement will allow new wineries to open as soon as 2020 and compete with existing Connecticut farm wineries that have already heavily invested in land, vineyards, buildings and equipment, and

WHEREAS this newly created permit grants new wineries will have none of the capital expenses most Connecticut farm wineries carry nor will they have any obligation to purchase Connecticut grapes, and

WHEREAS a new excise tax has been increased for CT wineries, cinderies and all other liquor manufacturers in the state, and

WHEREAS this legislation undermines the incentive to grow fruit for wine production in Connecticut and could divert land out of agricultural production.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED the Connecticut State Grange work in collaboration with the CT State Farm Bureau Association and other organizations and farms to address this act and push legislators to change this legislation back to prior requirements that benefit the CT vineyards and orchards.


Vernon Grange #52

 Adopted:
Rejected:
19. RE: MANUFACTURERS OF FIREARMS

WHEREAS there are frequent shootings of innocent people in schools, shopping areas and public and private businesses, and

WHEREAS the most often used firearm is an assault rifle with a large clip and rapid fire, and

WHEREAS local, State and Federal government bodies are loath to adopt regulations regarding their manufacture and sales of these types of weapons to the public.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED this State Grange strongly urge our Granges and members that hold any investments or mutual funds in any publicly traded gun manufacturer to voluntarily divest these from their portfolios as a personal protest against the continuing violence, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED this resolution be forwarded to the next session of the National Grange with a recommendation for favorable action.


Mountain Laurel Pomona No. 15

 Adopted:
Rejected:
20. RE: SALE OF GRANGE PROPERTY

WHEREAS the By-Laws of the National Grange Sec. 4.11.1(G) limits the amount a Grange may retain after the sale of property to $1,000 with the remainder to be kept in trust by the State Grange, and

WHEREAS this section has not been updated in several years and value of property has risen dramatically over those years.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the first sentence of Sec. 4.11.1(G) be changed to read: “When a sale of real property is concluded, the selling Subordinate or Pomona Grange shall account for the net proceeds of the sale received at the time of settlement and shall remit all but the sum of $1,000 $10,000 of such net proceeds or the net proceeds whichever is less to the State Grange having jurisdiction to be held in trust for the said Subordinate or Pomona Grange.


Riverton Grange No. 169

 Adopted:
Rejected:
21. RE: BLACK BEAR INCIDENTS

WHEREAS there is an increase in the number of Black Bear in the State of Connecticut especially in Litchfield and Northern Hartford Counties, and

WHEREAS there are no natural enemies to control the bear population, and

WHEREAS there is currently no hunting season for bears in Connecticut and this has aided in the bears having no fear of humans, and

WHEREAS over the last few years there have been numerous accounts of bears entering houses and garages looking for food.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Grange urge the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) to study and implement procedures to control the black bear population and its interaction with people, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that one of the alternatives to be suggested to the Legislature be a pilot bear hunting season in Litchfield County.


Riverton Grange No. 169

 Adopted:
Rejected:
22. RE: REMOVAL OF PUBLIC MONUMENTS MEMORIALIZING NOTABLE PEOPLE FROM PUBLIC SPACES

WHEREAS there has been much controversy over the removal of monuments memorializing notable people for actions taken by said persons which are interpreted as offensive by a segment of the population, and

WHEREAS many of these notable people have made significant contributions to the American culture in their respective fields, and

WHEREAS in many cases the overall good of their contributions to American culture should be considered to outweigh an otherwise isolated incident of negative publicity.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Grange at all levels from Subordinate to National stand in support of American sitizens in the arts and sciences that have made overall positive contributions to the culture of the United States of America in their lifetimes that relatively outweigh any negative connotations of said actions, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOVLED that the Grange support maintenance of these monuments in their public spaces when appropriately positive cultural contributions have been made by the memorialized one, and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that this resolution be sent to National Grange for their consideration and adoption in support of that attempt to maintain American history in all its diversity without attempting to rewrite the story therein.


Bethlehem Grange #121

 Adopted:
Rejected:
23. RE: LOCAL RESOURCES SUPPORTING FARMERS AND LOCAL BUSINESSES

WHEREAS multiple scientific reports, including the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change), identified land use as essential in addressing issues with climate and biodiversity, and

WHEREAS successful farming needs healthy soil, and composting helps to add nutrients to an retain water and carbon in the soil, and

WHEREAS compostable materials are plentiful, should not be burned or put in landfills, and include food waste and wood waste, and

WHEREAS burning wood and trash is subsidized as renewable energy, even though air pollution is a major contributor to poor health and wood is more carbon intensive than coal, and

WHEREAS compost heating is ideal for greenhouses and other farm-based applications, and

WHEREAS local circular economies are the most successful and sustainable, providing opportunities for small businesses and jobs, and

WHEREAS local solutions are most effective in terms of transportation and energy use and help to keep natural resources and money within our communities.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the State 1) quantify improved land use, farming practices and forest regrowth on private and public land in accounting for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and meeting mandated GHG goals, 2) provide incentives to landowners and agencies for increased negative emissions; 3) stop subsidizing fuels that are burned and increase GHG emissions to ensure public money is spent on the public good associated with clean, carbon-free energy, and 4) establish programs to support farmers and local circular economies by facilitating partnerships based on compost heating, soil health, and low value wood products like animal bedding, mulch, etc.


Simsbury Grange No. 197

 Adopted:
Rejected:
24. RE: ADDRESSING NUISANCE WILDLIFE

WHEREAS reports of nuisance wildlife have increased and reflect either an increased population, more calls about the nuisance, or some combination of these factors, and

WHEREAS wildlife are attracted to available food, and having food sources available creates and perpetuates the nuisance, and

WHEREAS there are no clear penalties for attracting nuisance wildlife, and

WHEREAS nuisance problems are dramatically lower in neighboring states with much higher wildlife populations coupled with public education about and penalties for attracting nuisance wildlife.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the State establish a plan to educate the public comprehensively on factors that create nuisance wildlife, the behavior and role of keystone native wildlife species in CT, including the critical place of these species in the ecological integrity of the landscape, and on the proven ways to prevent nuisance wildlife, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a warning followed by a fine is levied by state and municipal authorities to any entity that is attracting nuisance wildlife.


Simsbury Grange No. 197

 Adopted:
Rejected:
25. RE: PRIORITIZE EFFICIENCY AND DISTRIBUTED ENERGY

WHEREAS we lose energy when it is transmitted on the grid, and

WHEREAS energy efficiency programs help people across the state, and on-site and community-based energy projects make our homes and communities more resilient, and

WHEREAS large grid-based renewable energy projects risk taking up natural areas, including forests that provide negative emissions, and

WHEREAS intact forest ecosystems have the most carbon, the fewest invasive species, and are the least expensive and most powerful tool we have to mitigate flooding, cool our local environment, improve public health and protect biodiversity.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that we maximize incentives for on-site energy (solar panels, solar thermal, geothermal and heat pumps) energy efficiency, appropriately sited community-based projects and growing natural forests as intact ecosystems, and furthermore disincentivize projects that decrease negative emissions provided by our land and decrease other ecosystem services provided by forests, and especially by intact forest ecosystems.


Simsbury Grange No. 197

 Adopted:
Rejected:
26. RE: PROTECTION OF WATER AND LAND

WHEREAS a beautiful natural environment and ample clean water are priceless assets to the State, and

WHEREAS core forest contains the full range of forest-based diversity, including some species that cannot migrate and need protection from disruption, and

WHEREAS old growth forests are the most rare habitat, and

WHEREAS headwaters and wetlands are easily disrupted and essential to protect, and wetlands are carbon-dense, difficult to restore and have high biodiversity.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the core forest, old growth forest, headwaters, wetlands and vernal pools on land owned by the State are protected from unnecessary disturbance to ensure that these public assets best serve the long term public good of clean water, carbon sequestration, flood mitigation, and protection of full native biodiversity.


Simsbury Grange No. 197

 Adopted:
Rejected:
27. RE: PLASTIC BAGS IN STORES

WHEREAS stores are now charging ten cents for plastic bags, and

WHEREAS plastic bags have been eliminated without a fee, and

WHEREAS plastic bags have been proven to harm wildlife and ocean life, and

WHEREAS effective 6/30/21 all plastic bags less than 4 mills will be discontinued.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the members of Ekonk Community Grange be in favor of eliminating all plastic bags in favor of paper and that the date of 06/30/21 not be erased by the Legislature, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED we urge our elected representatives to vote for the elimination of plastic bags.


Ekonk Community Grange No. 89

 Adopted:
Rejected:
28. RE: SUPPORT FOR FAMILY FARMS

WHEREAS the Grange was founded on principles designed to support small and rural communities, and

WHEREAS local family farms are essential long-term partners in the health and resilience of our local communities, and

WHEREAS a diet high in fresh, non-processed food reduces numerous chronic health conditions and associated health care costs, and

WHEREAS family farms are a variety of sizes, and need flexibility and autonomy, and

WHEREAS family farms deserve special support as well as full access to programs that support farmers and their infrastructure during economic or environmental disasters, and

WHEREAS all farms should receive incentives for practicing environmentally responsible and regenerative farming.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Grange endorses full support for local farms, no matter how small, with policies and principles such as the following:

ECONOMIC SUPPORT: Equal access to open fair markets and credit and capital.

ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP: Full and equitable access to any programs designed to help farmers, including disaster relief, and new incentives that serve the public good with practices shown to reduce the use of chemicals, protect clean water, and improve soil.

PUBLIC HEALTH: Local food products that are sold largely “unprocessed” (i.e. fruit, vegetables, meat, dairy, etc.) and qualify for SNAP incentives at local farmer’s markets (i.e. $2 local produce for $1) should qualify for the same incentives at the supermarket year-round.


Simsbury Grange No. 197

 Adopted:
Rejected:
 
     
     
       
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