Category Archives: Green

Solar PV – X3

Posted on April 22, 2016 | Comments Off on Solar PV – X3

solar PV-2

The town is jumping from having no solar PV arrays at all, to soon having two, and potentially three (if town meeting agrees on Monday).

  • Waste Water Treatment Plant – The 237KW  solar array at the Waste Water Treatment Plant is already constructed and scheduled to  start electricity generation following the ribbon cutting next Thursday at 10AM.
  • Public Safety Building – The new Public Safety Building was designed for a roof mounted solar array, but installing it was not part of the original bids due to concerns over adding to the costs.  That array was previously going forward as a 63KW roof mounted solar array, funded via a change order, spending some of the construction savings, until the state recently allowed the its incentives to run out, at which time that array was put on hold.  When the state legislation recently extended the state incentives, the economies of that array became attractive again, so that array has again been put on track to proceed as a change order to the original contract, spending some of the unexpended contingency monies to do that installation.
  • DPW Garage – The DPW Garage was designed solar ready, and the Energy Committee has been looking at doing a 150KW solar array there too, but that plan was also held in abeyance by the state allowing its incentives to expire, making the return on solar PV arrays less attractive.  There is $240,000 of appropriated monies left over from the solar array at the WWTP, the cost of which came in a lot under budget, and those monies are the  subject of  the ATM article 24 – to allow the transfer of those funds to be used for a solar PV array on the Garage.  However, the estimated cost of the Garage solar array is $383,000, so the project was about $150,000 short.  Mike Sullivan and Martha Festa, the Warrant Committee chair, yesterday crafted a solution, an amendment to the operating budget at the ATM, as the mechanism to obtain those monies at this late date, which can allow the Garage solar array to proceed.

The timing of the Public Safety Building and DPW Garage solar projects is important because the state incentives are going to change at  the end of 2017, making the economics of such solar arrays less advantageous – so because of the recent legislative changes, it became a do it now or not at all proposition.

 

 

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Posted in Budgets, Energy Committee, Financial, Green, Town Meeting, Uncategorized

Stretch code at ATM

Posted on April 22, 2016 | Comments Off on Stretch code at ATM

This from the Energy Committee about the town meeting article looking to adopt the stretch code, thereby become a Green Community, and thereby get the DOER $148,000 grant for doing so –

MEC

Vote YES  on Article #34

 

Help Medfield qualify for a $148,000 Energy Savings grant.

 

Massachusetts regularly updates the State Building Code to improve quality, safety and energy efficiency of construction in the Commonwealth.  The Building Code is the “stick” to encourage improvements in construction. By adopting the Stretch Energy Code, Medfield, like 161 other Massachusetts towns, would be an early adopter of what eventually will become the next State Building Code.  The “carrot” for Medfield to be an early adopter is a grant of $148,000 which will be used to improve Town building energy efficiency.

 

Massachusetts has been recognized as the nations leader in energy efficiency for the past five years.*  As Governor Baker said “Energy efficiency is the most cost effective, accessible way for Massachusetts to meet our clean energy goals and help ratepayers manage their energy costs. “

 

The Green Communities program, run by the Department of Energy Resources (DOER), encourages towns in the state to cut their energy usage and to simplify siting of renewable energy.

Substantial dollar grants are given to towns that meet 5 Green Communities criteria:

#1 Provide siting for renewable energy

#2 Enable permitting within one year for renewable energy

#3 Develop a plan for reducing municipal energy use by 20% over 5 years

#4 Enact an energy efficient vehicle policy

#5 Minimize life-cycle cost for new construction

 

The Medfield Energy Committee has been working for 4 years to qualify Medfield as a Green Community and to earn a $148,000 grant with the potential of $250,000 annual grants thereafter.

Our progress:

  • Criteria #1 & #2 were met by the Solar Photovoltaic By-Law passed at the 2014 Town Meeting.
  • Criteria #4 was achieved when an Energy Efficient Vehicle Policy was adopted by the Select Board and School Committee in 2015.
  • Criteria #3, a plan for 20% reduction in Town energy usage, is being developed by the Town Energy Manager, Andrew Seaman.
  • Criteria #5, will be met by adopting the 9th edition of the Stretch Energy Code : Article #34

 

At the 2014 Town Meeting, a warrant article to adopt a Stretch Energy Code was voted down.

 

Now, in 2016, the situation has changed:

  1. The Massachusetts Building Code went into effect on July 1, 2014 with an updated Base Energy Code. The result is that today all new construction and renovation must meet a code that is basically the same Stretch Energy Code that was rejected at the April 2014 Town Meeting.
  2. The Stretch Energy Code does not include any new requirements for residential renovations or additions. The sole change from the Base Energy Code is the requirement for new residential construction to use a Home Energy Rating System (HERS) Index.  The HERS Index is the industry standard by which a home’s energy efficiency is measured.
  3. For new commercial buildings, the Stretch Energy Code requires the construction to be 10% more efficient than the Base Energy Code.
  4. 161 Massachusetts towns have adopted the Stretch Energy Code

 

 

In summary:  Building Energy Codes are a “stick” to make sure building life-cycle costs improve.  DOER’s $148,000 grant is a “carrot” rewarding early adopters of Stretch Energy Code.

 

  • Vote yes on Article #34 to get the “carrot” with the “stick”
  • Vote no on Article #34 only get the “stick”

 

Article #34 supported by

  • Board of Selectmen
  • Warrant Committee
  • Energy Committee

 Permanent Building Committee.

 

 

 

 

 

 

* American Council for Energy- Efficient Economy and the US Department of Energy.

 

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Posted in Energy Committee, Green, Town Meeting, Uncategorized

Image

Solar PV ribbon cutting

20160419-Medfield Solar Ribbon Cutting

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Posted on April 19, 2016 in Energy Committee, Green, Uncategorized, Water & Sewer

Stretch Code

Posted on April 11, 2016 | Comments Off on Stretch Code

MEC

 

Letter to the Editor

 

Help Medfield qualify for a $148,000 Energy Savings grant. Vote YES on Article #34.

 

The Medfield Energy Committee has been working for 4 years to designate the Town of Medfield as a Green Community.  To qualify the Town needs to approve the Stretch Energy Code at the April 25th Town Meeting.  Once Medfield is a Green Community it will receive an award of $148,000 with the potential of $250,000 annual grants thereafter from the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources.

 

 

The Massachusetts State Building Code includes a Base Energy Code.  Massachusetts regularly updates the State Building Code, including the Base Energy Code, to improve quality, safety and energy efficiency of construction in the Commonwealth.  The Building Code is the “stick” to encourage improvements in construction. By adopting the Stretch Energy Code, Medfield, like 161 other Massachusetts towns, becomes an early adopter of what eventually will become the next State Building Code.  The “carrot” for Medfield to be an early adopter is a grant of $148,000 which will be used to improve Town building energy efficiency.

 

 

Medfield can get the “carrot” by approving the Stretch Energy Code if we vote yes on Article #34 of the Town meeting warrant.  If it is voted down, Medfield gets the “stick” anyway in following years as the Base Energy Code is updated.

 

At the 2014 Town Meeting, the Stretch Energy Code warrant article was voted down.

 

In 2016, the situation has changed:

  1. The Massachusetts Building Code went into effect on July 1, 2014 with an updated Base Energy Code. The result is that today all new construction and renovation must meet a code that is basically the Stretch Energy Code that was rejected by the town at the April 2014 Town Meeting.
  2. The Stretch Energy Code we will vote on at this year’s Town Meeting does not include any new requirements for residential renovations or additions. The sole change from the Base Energy Code is the requirement for new residential construction to use a Home Energy Rating System (HERS) Index.  The HERS Index is the industry standard by which a home’s energy efficiency is measured.
  3. For new commercial buildings, the Stretch Energy Code requires the construction to be 10% more efficient than the Base Energy Code.

 

The Energy Committee, the Warrant Committee and the Board of Selectman all support the Stretch Energy Code article.

 

Please plan to attend the April 25 Town Meeting and vote YES on Article #34.

 

Fred Bunger, Chair Medfield Energy Committee

 

 

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Posted in Energy Committee, Green, Uncategorized

Stretch Code forum 4/12

Posted on April 6, 2016 | Comments Off on Stretch Code forum 4/12

MEC

Public Forum :

Green Communities / Stretch Energy Code

 

The Medfield Energy Committee invites you to attend a forum to present and discuss the plan to qualify Medfield as a Green Community.  Representatives from the Department of Energy Resources will be on hand to address any questions or concerns regarding the Stretch Energy Code.  Adoption of the Stretch Energy Code will be voted on at Town Meeting April 25.  If you are a builder, developer or realtor please plan on attending this forum.

 

 

When:        April 12 at 4 PM

Where:       Town Hall Chenery Meeting room  –  2nd floor

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Posted in Energy Committee, Green, Uncategorized

Medfield Green’s Rachel Brown’s recycling tips

Posted on December 23, 2015 | Comments Off on Medfield Green’s Rachel Brown’s recycling tips

Medfield Green

How to Dispose of Holiday Packaging and No Longer Needed Items

 

Holiday gifting produces lots of packaging, and new gifts to replace worn, or less up-to-date items. Here are Medfield’s Transfer Station and Recycling Committee’s top 5 tips for their disposal:

 

  1. Use single stream recycling for the following:
  • regular cardboard and corrugated cardboard boxes (please flatten and make sure there is no packaging inside)
  • paperboard gift boxes
  • greeting cards (except those with foil, metallic inks, or glitter)
  • gift wrap, gift bags, tissue wrap (except those with foil, metallic inks, or glitter)
  • paper shopping bags (remove any handles that are not paper).
  • catalogs and calendars

 

The following does NOT belong in single stream:

  • ribbons, bows, and tinsel
  • packing peanuts and Styrofoam (see # 2 below)
  • holiday lights
  • plastic bags (see # 2 below)

 

  1. Hold your Styrofoam #6 (coolers, packing blocks, and packing peanuts) for the special collection on January 2 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Transfer Station. Packing peanuts and bubble wrap will be accepted if bagged separately. Air-filled packaging can be “popped” and recycled with plastic bags.

 

  1. Your Christmas tree (minus ornaments and tinsel) can be disposed of for composting at the Transfer Station. Wreaths should be disposed of on the tip floor as trash due to the wiring they contain.

 

  1. Electronix Redux will be at the Transfer Station January 2 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will accept unwanted computers, monitors, printers, faxes, entertainment systems, and other consumer products for a small fee. Electronix Redux is at the Transfer Station on the first Saturday of the month throughout the year, so if you miss them in January you can catch them another month.

 

  1. Donate unwanted items. The Town Garage office has the Medfield Reuse & Recycle Guide that provides a valuable resource of organizations that will accept your no longer needed items. The Transfer Station also has many recycling opportunities for these items including clothing, small electrics (Goodwill), books and DVD’s. You can find the reuse guide on the Town of Medfield Website under Transfer Station Brochures.

 

Begin the New Year with the resolve to make Medfield greener!

Medfield Green

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Posted in Green, Recycling & Solid Waste

Solar interest survey

Posted on November 3, 2015 | Comments Off on Solar interest survey

solar on house

Energy Committee has a four question survey to determine level of residents’ interest in solar PV on their homes –

Below is a link to a short four-question survey that the Medfield Energy Committee has put together to help assess Medfield residents’ interest in participating in a Solarize Massachusetts program (where group purchasing of PV panels and installation result in discounts for everyone participating). Mass CEC recommends that we do one of these as part of our application process.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LJJGBXW

thanks!

Marie

Marie Zack Nolan, LEED AP BD&C

Project Manager

The Green Engineer, Inc.

O: (978) 369-8978

C: (508) 361-8786

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Posted in Energy Committee, Green

Gateway opening

Posted on October 30, 2015 | Comments Off on Gateway opening

Gateway-1

This morning was the official ribbon cutting and opening of the new Charles River overlook dubbed the Gateway at Medfield.  Over one hundred people gathered in the strong fall winds at Medfield’s newest jewel, high above the Charles –  some walked, some rode bikes, and some came on horses.  Richared DeSorgher officiated with a loud speaker’s voice honed by years in the classroom.

Richard declared it Arbor Day in town, reading the proclamation citing teh 55 trees planted at the site, and then introduced the series of speakers:

  • Carol Gladstone, DCAMM Commissioner
  • Carol I. Sanchez, DCR Commissioner (see photo below)
  • Mike Francis, TTOR Superintendent
  • Bob Zimmerman, CRWA Executive Director

Gateway-3

Bill Massaro, John Thompson, and John Harney were signaled out repeatedly for their efforts that turned the ship of the Massachusetts state away from its less expensive, simplistic, but legally sufficient cap and cover formulaic clean up, to the result that has created the state’s newest park, with dramatic views down to the Charles River below and the largest recreated wetlands in the history of the river.

Even the ruins of the old pump house has been made interesting –

MSH-pump house after

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Posted in Environmental, Events, Green, Medfield State Hospital, On being a selectman

Styrofoam Saturday 9-1

Posted on October 29, 2015 | Comments Off on Styrofoam Saturday 9-1

This from Medfield Green –

styrofoam

 

This Saturday is Week 5 of Medfield Green Month

9-1 at the Transfer Station

It’s the final week of MGM in October! 

Are you a darker shade of green

because you have been recycling all month?

 Refoam-it will be collecting Styrofoam to be recycled.  Foam items DO NOT have to display the recycling symbol 6 in the triangle with the PS underneath it, but do need to be cleaned and rinsed.  Refoamit will accept packing blocks, produce and meat trays, take out containers (please rinse), hot cups such as Dunkin’ Donuts, Honey Dew and Cumberland Farms (without paper or cardboard infused), foam egg cartons, trays, white insulation sheets, #4 PE Polyethylene foam,  bubble wrap and packing peanuts (bagged separately from your foam). 

THEY WILL NOT ACCEPT:  plastic utensils, foam cups infused with cardboard or paper such as McDonald’s, Newman and Burger King (ice tea cup), biodegradable meat trays for example GenPak without the recycling symbol, cardboard egg cartons, soft foam pads, food containers with plastic film attached (some ground turkey comes in these containers), blue or pink insulation sheets. (Refoamit will also be doing a collection, which is open to the public, at the Christ Lutheran Church of Natick, 113 Union St., Sat. Nov 7th 9-12, if you can’t make it to the transfer station this Sat).
The next Styrofoam collection in Medfield

will be January 2, 2016 at the Transfer Station! 

 The discounted backyard compost bins were so popular that we sold out of our stock!  We will continue to take orders (only for compost bins, not the kits with the kitchen buckets and liners) this Saturday from 9-1 at the Transfer Station.  The bins will be available for pick up in a few weeks.  See attached order form.  Checks made out to Town of Medfield
This is the last Saturday for the Swap.   
Last day for drop offs is Friday, October 30th. It closes for the season on Saturday, October 31st at noon and volunteers will pack up from 12-3. If you wish to help pack up, let us know by calling 359-7251. BOXES NEEDED!   Thanks!

Thanks to all of the volunteers who spend many, many hours at the Swap!  It is a great example of the purpose of Medfield Green Month –  Donation, Reuse and Recycling and it is open May-October during Transfer Station hours.

Hope to see you at the Transfer Station
the place to be in October!

 Next Medfield Green Month will be in May, 2016!

 

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Posted in Green, Recycling & Solid Waste

Solar PV begun at WWTP

Posted on October 28, 2015 | 2 comments

The construction of the town’s solar photovoltaic installation at the Waste Water Treatment Plant began today.  This email below about it this afternoon –solar pv

 

I am pleased to announce that site work has started this morning.  Local contractor Angelo Santucci Landscaping has begun clearing the site of vegetation.  Tree removal will begin next week along with grading and seeding.  If all goes well and the weather cooperates, they expect to be done by the end of next week.

As of now the structural post installation will begin November 23, with panel installation to begin early-mid December.  We are still on schedule for system start-up in mid-January.

I’ll keep you all updated on the progress!

Regards,

Andrew Seaman

Energy and Facilities Manager

Town of Medfield

2 Comments

Posted in Energy Committee, Green, Water & Sewer