Upton is working to determine the feasibility of becoming a designated Green Community. The Green Communities Designation and Grant Program has helped 110 cities and towns in Massachusetts.
Considered energy leaders in Massachusetts, Green Communities are able to seek state grants. Over $20 million dollars of Green Community grants are already at work in 103 communities.
To become a Designated Green Community Upton must meet certain criteria which is why the selectmen put together a five member committee charged with researching the matter. The committee met for the first time last week and elected William Taylor as chair, Taylor is also the President of Upton State Forest. The other members include Leigh Hamlet, David Schmidt, Robert Jordan and Marcella Stasa.
Criteria the town would need to meet to be designated a Green Community
- Provide as-of-right siting in designated locations for renewable/alternative energy generation, research & development, or manufacturing facilities.
- Adopt an expedited application and permit process for as-of-right energy facilities.
- Establish an energy use baseline and develop a plan to reduce energy use by twenty percent (20%) within five (5) years.
- Purchase only fuel-efficient vehicles.
- Set requirements to minimize life-cycle energy costs for new construction; one way to meet these requirements is to adopt the new Board of Building Regulations and Standards (BBRS) Stretch Code.
UPTON DAILY 