Tag Archives: climate-change

Energy Com. Info Sessions on Coming Specialized Energy Code – 10/22

Posted on October 13, 2025 | Comments Off on Energy Com. Info Sessions on Coming Specialized Energy Code – 10/22

From the Medfield Energy Committee –

Medfield Energy Committee Educates the Public about the Specialized Building Code

The Medfield Energy Committee will hold two public forums on Wednesday, October 22nd to discuss a new building energy code known as the Specialized Code.  Medfield residents will likely be asked to vote on adoption of the Specialized Code at Town Meeting in 2026, and MEC is continuing to educate the public on this topic.  Fifty-five other towns in Massachusetts have already chosen to adopt this code.

The Specialized Code requires new construction, only, to be built to increased energy efficiency standards.  It is very important to note that the Specialized Code DOES NOT affect any existing homes, renovations/additions to homes, or historic homes.  Under the Specialized Code, new buildings can comply by being built all-electric (meaning no oil, gas, or propane fuel is used anywhere in the home).  If a new building’s design includes the use of some fossil fuels for heating, cooking, etc., this is still allowable under the Specialized Code, but the code requires that such buildings be pre-wired for future electrification, and to have on-site solar generation.

The Medfield Energy Committee supports adoption of the Specialized Code, given that it is an opportunity to ensure that new buildings in town are built to the best available energy efficiency standards.  Additionally, enhanced state funding is available to towns that have adopted the Specialized Code and fulfilled other requirements, as part of the Climate Leaders Program, the next tier of the Green Communities program.  Medfield has already received $666,000 in funding under the state’s Green Communities program, and would be eligible for continued and enhanced funding opportunities as a Climate Leaders community. These grants have allowed Medfield to install energy efficient upgrades in municipal buildings and schools when equipment needed replacing, leading to energy savings and reduced carbon emissions.

The forums on October 22nd will be held via Zoom, and will offer two separate sessions.  Session 1, beginning at 5:00 p.m., will be geared towards construction professionals, and will include technical information and time for feedback.  Session 2 will begin at 7:00 p.m. and is intended for the general public.  The Zoom links for these sessions can be found at the MEC website: https://www.town.medfield.net/2308/Specialized-Code

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Posted in Buildings, Climate, Energy Committee, Environmental, Green

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Outdoor Fires are Banned

Posted on November 12, 2024 | Comments Off on Outdoor Fires are Banned

Medfield Outdoor Fire Ban Extended Through November 24


Any Outdoor Fire may Spread and Threaten People and Property


Medfield – As drought conditions spread across Massachusetts and the wildfire risk continues to
grow, Medfield Fire Chief Carrico and municipal leaders are prohibiting any outdoor fires at least
until Friday, November 24.
Historically low rainfall, bright and breezy weather, and bone-dry fuel sources mean that any
outdoor fire will quickly grow out of control. Every firefighter battling a preventable wildfire is
one who cannot respond to a house fire, car crash, or medical emergency. Help us help you. Please use caution and common sense and refrain from any outdoor activity that could spark a fire.
Burning yard waste is already prohibited across Massachusetts through January 15th and year round in some communities under 310 CMR 7.07, the Open Burning regulation. Today’s order
additionally restricts the outdoor use of fire pits, chimineas, candles, cooking/heating equipment, and other ignition sources under Section 10.10.2 of the Massachusetts Comprehensive Fire Safety Code. The Code grants fire officials the authority to prohibit any and all open flames and other ignition sources under certain hazardous conditions, including extreme drought. This restriction does not apply to gas grills and smokers.
Any requests for permits for outdoor fires, hot work such as cutting/grinding, and other activity
will be decided in light of the ongoing fire risk.
All of Massachusetts, including Medfield, is facing an unprecedented fall wildfire season.
Statewide, fires in October rose 1,200% above the historical average, and the 133 fires reported in the first week of November represent more than six times the average for the entire month. Many have damaged homes and other properties. The Massachusetts Department of Fire Services, and the Department of Conservation & Recreation’s Bureau of Forest Fire Control & Forestry, almost all of these fires start with human activity and can be prevented by limiting outdoor activity that involves open flames, sparks and embers, hot engines or gasoline from power equipment, and other ignition sources.
Months without meaningful rainfall, abundant dead leaves and vegetation, bright sunshine, and
gusty winds make the current and expected weather conditions ripe for a wildfire in every city and town in Massachusetts. At the same time, static water sources like lakes and ponds are supplying less water and water pressure to extinguish these fires. Because about 45% of Massachusetts homes are in or near wooded areas, almost any significant wildfire will threaten residential areas.

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Electrify your Home

Posted on October 10, 2024 | Comments Off on Electrify your Home

From Emily Lowney of Lowney Law and the Medfield Energy Committee –

Electrify your Home with Medfield Energy Committee

The Medfield Energy Committee (MEC) is excited to be partnering with Sustainable Medfield for the next Action of The Quarter this fall: “Electrify your Home.”  Climate change is a problem that we are all concerned about, but the good news is that there are solutions.  We need to transition away from burning fossil fuels and towards renewable power sources such as wind, solar, and geothermal.  In 2021, the Town of Medfield Climate Action Plan identified residential buildings and passenger vehicles as the two largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions. For this action of the quarter, MEC is encouraging residents to take action to reduce emissions from our residential buildings.

What do we mean when we say “Electrify your home?”  Basically, the goal is for all of the energy usage of the home to eventually come from electricity, including heating/cooling, domestic water heating, appliances, lights, and cooking.  That way the home no longer relies on gas or oil.  If the home is suitable for solar panels, that is a great alternative way to provide the power for the home.  But even if it doesn’t have solar, the electric grid is also getting greener at the same time, so that eventually, all of the sources of power are renewable, and all of the homes are using only that renewable energy for all of their power needs.  At the same time, technology is helping make our homes more efficient in how they use energy.

Another important aspect of Electrifying homes in Medfield has to do with NEW homes.  There is a new building code having to do with energy efficiency that towns in Massachusetts can choose to “OPT IN” to.  This is called the Specialized Code, and Medfield would have to vote at town meeting to adopt this code.  Again, this only applies to NEW construction, not any existing homes, renovations/additions to homes, or historic homes.  The Specialized Code encourages new homes to be built all-electric so that in the future, homeowners will not have to pay to transition those homes.  The Specialized Code still allows homes to be built that use some fossil fuels, but requires that they be pre-wired for future electrification, and have on-site solar generation.

The Energy Committee is seeking public input on whether Medfield should adopt the Specialized Code. Please help us by taking a short, four-question survey here: https://forms.gle/QmuJCQ34Jk5PMMFFA

If you are not planning on building a new home, there is still a lot you can do to Electrify your Existing Home.  Check out the following Actions at sustainablemedfield.org: Green Heating & Cooling, Rooftop Solar, No-Cost Energy Assessment, Switch to Induction Cooking, and more.

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Posted in Energy Committee, Green, Sustainable Medfield

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“Medfield Decarbonizers” webinar, 7:30 PM, 10/8 via Zoom

Posted on September 30, 2024 | Comments Off on “Medfield Decarbonizers” webinar, 7:30 PM, 10/8 via Zoom

From Helen Dewey of Medfield Environment Action =

Climate Action in Medfield

Thinking about installing heat pumps in your home or getting solar panels?  Maybe your current car needs to be replaced and you are thinking about purchasing an electric vehicle?  These are the most impactful actions one can take to decrease their carbon footprint as well as greenhouse gas pollution in the town of Medfield. Many fellow residents have done just that, and you can hear from some of them on Tuesday, October 8th at 7:30 pm. The Medfield Energy Committee dubs them “Medfield Decarbonizers”.  Who are they, you might ask?  They are Medfield neighbors who drive electric vehicles, have installed solar panels or heat pumps and they are a great resource for anyone considering these investments!

Medfield Environment Action (MEA) and the Medfield Energy Committee (MEC) are hosting a “Medfield Decarbonizers” webinar on Tuesday, October 8th at 7:30 p.m. via Zoom.  Medfield Decarbonizers have taken action to reduce the carbon output of everyday activities such as driving a car, heating and cooling a home or using electricity.  Hear the experiences of fellow neighbors regarding their purchases and everyday use of these sustainable technologies and ask them your questions.  In addition, learn why one panelist chose to opt up to “Medfield 100”, which supplies 100% renewable electricity through Medfield Community Electricity.

Preregister for the free webinar at tinyurl.com/decarbonizers and the Zoom link will be sent to you. For more information visit meamedfield.org  or email MEAMedfield@gmail.com with any questions.  Visit the MEA website to see videos of previous, educational webinars.  MEA is proud to network with Sustainable Medfield and MEC working together towards Medfield’s Net Zero 2050 Goal.Climate Action in Medfield

Thinking about installing heat pumps in your home or getting solar panels?  Maybe your current car needs to be replaced and you are thinking about purchasing an electric vehicle?  These are the most impactful actions one can take to decrease their carbon footprint as well as greenhouse gas pollution in the town of Medfield. Many fellow residents have done just that, and you can hear from some of them on Tuesday, October 8th at 7:30 pm. The Medfield Energy Committee dubs them “Medfield Decarbonizers”.  Who are they, you might ask?  They are Medfield neighbors who drive electric vehicles, have installed solar panels or heat pumps and they are a great resource for anyone considering these investments!

Medfield Environment Action (MEA) and the Medfield Energy Committee (MEC) are hosting a “Medfield Decarbonizers” webinar on Tuesday, October 8th at 7:30 p.m. via Zoom.  Medfield Decarbonizers have taken action to reduce the carbon output of everyday activities such as driving a car, heating and cooling a home or using electricity.  Hear the experiences of fellow neighbors regarding their purchases and everyday use of these sustainable technologies and ask them your questions.  In addition, learn why one panelist chose to opt up to “Medfield 100”, which supplies 100% renewable electricity through Medfield Community Electricity.

Preregister for the free webinar at tinyurl.com/decarbonizers and the Zoom link will be sent to you. For more information visit meamedfield.org  or email MEAMedfield@gmail.com with any questions.  Visit the MEA website to see videos of previous, educational webinars.  MEA is proud to network with Sustainable Medfield and MEC working together towards Medfield’s Net Zero 2050 Goal.

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Posted in Energy Committee, Events, Green, Medfield Environmental Action, Sustainable Medfield

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