Marblehead To Talk 2040 Net Zero Carbon Target Goal

MARBLEHEAD, MA — Green Marblehead and Metropolitan Area Planning Council representatives will host a public forum on Wednesday on the town's Roadmap To Zero goal of becoming a carbon-neutral town by 2040, the MAPC's report on ways to achieve that and possible routes to implement the report's proposals.

The virtual meeting will take place via Zoom from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday with registration available here.

The MAPC presented its report to the Marblehead Select Board on Wednesday detailing ways that the town can proceed toward the 2040 target that include hiring a sustainability director, making zoning changes that encourage more affordable and multi-unit housing, requiring electric vehicle charging stations as part of new construction, and providing incentives to residents and business that retrofit properties to utilize renewable energy.

The report said the town should "lead by example" through retrofitting municipal buildings and require all new municipal buildings to be carbon neutral, require an "eco-roof" on all new construction and renovations, reduce or eliminate permit fees for energy-efficient construction, and exempt net-zero technology construction from height and setback zoning restrictions.

The recommendations are non-binding with some Select Board members raising concerns about funding the initiatives at a time when the town is facing a growing structural deficit that taxpayers may be asked to solve through the town's first general override in 18 years.

The report also recommends an electrified public transportation program, exploring the feasibility of a bike-sharing plan and considering parking charges that incentivize walking and biking over driving to town locations.

Those interested can view the full report here.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)