Westborough School Transformer Upgrades To Cut Carbon Emissions

WESTBOROUGH, MA — Westborough is moving ahead with school energy upgrades funded by a state Green Communities grant.

Sustainability Coordinator Leila Ahmed secured a $219,750 Green Communities Competitive Grant on Mar. 4 to replace two transformers at Mill Pond School and Westborough High School, according to Town Manager Kristi Williams’ June 9 report.

The upgrades are expected to reduce carbon emissions by 22.37 tons of CO₂, and are on track to be completed by the end of July, according to the report.

The Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources listed Westborough’s award as funding for energy conservation measures, including transformers, at the High School and Mill Pond, according to the state’s Green Communities competitive grant award list.

The Green Communities program provides grants, technical assistance and local support to help municipalities reduce energy use and costs through clean energy projects in municipal buildings, facilities and schools, according to the state.

Ahmed also led Earth Month outreach in Westborough schools this spring, including the fifth annual Westborough Environmental Action Fair and a student environmental panel, according to the town manager’s report.

At Mill Pond School, Ahmed worked with students through classroom visits, Green Squad meetings and a weeklong effort focused on recycling, waste reduction and litter prevention.

The outreach ended with an Earth Day cleanup with the Westborough Community Land Trust, where about 20 students and staff collected 10 bags of litter along Otis Street, the report said.

See Also:

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• Westborough Connects To Open First Permanent Home Downtown