Qualifying Medfield as a Massachusetts “Green Community” Warrants # 34 & 35

1. Qualifying Medfield as a Massachusetts “Green Community” Warrants # 34 & 35 Presented by the Medfield Energy Committee

2. Medfield Energy Committee • Chartered by the Board of Selectmen in 2008 • 5 yr. Goal: reduce Town energy usage 20% • Energy savings of over $200,000 per year • Investigating solar energy generation on Town land and buildings • Medfield is “Green,” now let’s become a Green Community

3. 2008 Green Communities Act • Purpose: to encourage energy conservation and increase renewable energy in Massachusetts. • $10 million/yr grants for energy reduction • 123 Massachusetts towns qualified as Green Communities. $22 million in grants given. • Medfield qualifies for $148,000 grant • Competitive grant dollars available

5. 2008 Green Communities Act • Towns must meet 5 criteria to qualify: • #1 Provide siting for renewable energy • #2 Enable permitting within one year for sites • #3 Develop a plan for reducing municipal energy use by 20% over 5 years • #4 Enact energy efficient vehicle policy • #5 Adopt a Stretch Energy Code for new construction and renovations

6. Warrant Article #34 achieves GCA Criteria #1 & #2 • By-right siting for Solar Photovoltaic • Planning Board approved Bylaw Section 19, Large-Scale Solar Photovoltaic Facilities Overlay District (POVD) • The Overlay district is the IE district (the industrial area North of West Street) • Bylaw will facilitate Town interest in solar energy generation to reduce Town energy bills. • 9 to 12% return on investment for solar • 50 MA communities have passed Solar Bylaws, 30 have large-scale (over 250 kW) solar PV on town land

9. WWT Solar PV Study • Add layout of WWT solar array

10. Warrant Article # 35 achieves GCA Criteria #5 • Adopt MA Stretch Energy Code. • 70% of energy use in Medfield is in buildings • Stretch Energy Code requires new buildings and renovations built to a higher standard • 15 to 20% less energy usage • 14 to 22%return on investment • 134 MA towns use Stretch Energy Code • Stretch Code will become State Code this July

12. Cost/Benefit Analysis for New Home • * Source: Cash Flow Analysis conducted by Vermont Energy Investment Corporation (VEIC) for DOER. • HERS Rating = 65 for Large Home / HERS Rating = 70 for Average and Smaller Home

13. Cost/Benefit Analysis* Under New Stretch Energy Code • * Source: Cash Flow Analysis conducted by Vermont Energy Investment Corporation (VEIC) for DOER. • HERS Rating = 65 for Large Home / HERS Rating = 70 for Average and Smaller Home

14. GCA Criteria #3 & #4 • Plan for 20% municipal energy reduction to be developed this Summer. • Energy efficient vehicle purchase policy in progress. • Approval of both by Board of Selectmen and School Committee will fulfill Criteria #3 & #4 • Medfield will make application to the DOER for Green Community Status in Fall of 2014.

15. YES to Green CommunitesYES to Articles #34 & #35 • PAST - In 2011, GCA effort stalled: • By-right siting for renewable energy R & D & Manufacturing was complex and unattainable • Stretch Code was new and scary NOW- Solar PV siting very well defined & aligned with Town interests NOW- Stretch code mandated by State in July 2014 - adopt it now and collect $148,000 for Medfield - do not adopt now, mandated in July anyway, = do not collect $148,000 VOTE “YES” ON ARTICLES #34 & #35