Selectmen Vote To Reduce Energy Use By 20 Percent Over 5 Years

BURLINGTON, MA — The Burlington board of selectmen voted Monday to approve a plan to reduce municipal energy usage by 20% over the next five years, a necessary step to attaining Green Communities status with the commonwealth. There are no consequences for failure, and the plan applies only to government uses. Department of Public Works officials said they're very hopeful that the plan is achievable.

The plan is one of five requirements to be designated a Massachusetts Green Community. Rachel Caplan of the public works department outlined the other four, which the town has already achieved: identifying areas where zoned for green energy, research or manufacturing facilities, having expedited permitting for those facilities, having a fuel-efficient vehicle policy, and having a new building efficiency code, which the town achieved by passing the Stretch Code at the May town meeting.

With the selectmen's support, all the plan needs is the school committee's support, and the town will have met all five criteria. The plan is before the school committee Tuesday night. The state provides financial and technical support, including grants, to Green Communities. Over $44 million in grants have been handed out to Green Communities.

According to Caplan, Burlington has until November 21st to submit its materials to the state, and then hopefully the state will designate the town a Green Community by early 2020.

Public Works Director John Sanchez said they worked to ensure the goals are realistic.

"Everything we have here will be attainable," Sanchez said.

For example, Caplan noted that there are still external lights on schools that can be replaced with LEDs, which are much more energy efficient.

Additionally, some recent energy-efficiency projects, like other retrofitting at the schools, will count toward the goal, said Sanchze.

"Unfortunately some of our energy projects are too old to count toward reaching this goal," Sanchez said. "The good news is all those projects we've done in the past have saved us money."

"This is pretty much continuing what we've been doing, with the addition we'll be able to get grants," said Sanchez.

Caplan also explained that through a Eversource energy efficiency incentive where they will replace town fixtures and lights free of charge.

The select board passed the plan enthusiastically. They also voted to pass an electric vehicle charging policy, for the charging station under construction behind the town hall. The policy is designed to charge the cost of the electricity used, Sanchez said.

The station should be in place "before Thanksgiving," Caplan said.

The board approved a change of ownership application for the Buffalo Wild Wings at 15 South St. The board again continued the hearing of Burlington Beer Works, which has been trying to offload its valuable liquor license for over a year since its decision to not take over the former Outback Steakhouse location.

Kohl's received approval for its annual holiday shopping hours, of 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. Dec. 7 and Dec. 13 to 19, and 12 a.m. Dec. 21 to 6 p.m. Dec. 24.

Finally, a new town health insurance plan, a high-deductible health savings account for young and health employees, was approved by the board.

Christopher Huffaker: 412-265-8353 or chris.huffaker@patch.com.