Westborough Pursues Green Community Status

Westborough’s Board of Selectmen have recently approved a first initiative for the re-established Green Technology Advisory Group (GTAG). Along with representatives from the School Department and DPW, GTAG has begun the process of enabling Westborough to achieve Green Community status.

Under the Massachusetts Green Communities Act, Massachusetts has set aside funds to be used for energy reduction & renewable energy projects. The Massachusetts Green Communities Designation and Grant Program sets aside $20,000,000 annually to be given out to qualifying communities. For Westborough, attaining the Green Community designation would result in immediate access to about $140,000 in grant money with options to apply for competitive grants of up to $250,000 annually. Examples of projects funded for existing Green Communities include: updating municipal buildings, revamping schools, updating town vehicles, weatherizing, LED light retrofitting, modernizing electrical systems and establishing electric vehicle charging stations.

The process of achieving Green Community status includes meeting five criteria, which involve moving toward more energy efficiency, encouraging development of renewable energy, and providing Westborough with cost savings over time. Westborough, a community that continues to endorse energy efficient technology, has already met some of these requirements, including providing appropriate zoning for generating renewable energy. Other criteria include creating an energy reduction plan for both municipal buildings and mid-sized municipal vehicles, that will cut energy consumption by 20 percent. The final criterion involves building newly constructed homes (not additions,) to meet higher energy efficiency levels. This is referred to as the Stretch Energy Code, which has already been adopted by Northborough, Southborough, Shrewsbury and Grafton.

Over half the Commonwealth municipalities (185) have earned their Green Community designation and are both saving taxpayer money on energy consumption and receiving grant money from the state. Acton, Holliston, Millbury and Hopkinton have received between $390,000 and $1,000,000. Southborough achieved this status in 2016. Let’s make Westborough next.

The Green Technology Advisory Group, under the leadership of Peter Dunbeck and Leigh Emery, hopes to move this process forward. For more information on the Green Technology Advisory Group or on Massachusetts’ Green Communities, you can join us at an informational session and discussion on Tuesday, January 16th, 7:00 pm, in Westborough Town Hall.

In addition, you can visit Green Technology Advisory Group page, or like us on Facebook.

GTAG welcomes volunteers. Interested in getting involved? Please contact Leigh Emery at www.leigh.emery45@gmail.com.