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

Chartered by the Board of Selectmen in 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

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

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

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

WWT Solar PV Study Add layout of WWT solar array

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

Cost/Benefit Analysis for New Home Added construction costs to meet code Increase in 30 year mortgage Energy savingsAnnual Net Savings Large Home * (4,462 sq. ft.) $6.4 K$471 / year$1,455 / year$984 / year Average Home* (2,672 sq. ft.) $2.9 K$214 / year$507 / year$293 / year Smaller Home* (as part of development) (1,706 sq. ft.) $4.1 K$302 / year$583 / year$281 / year * 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

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

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.

YES to Green Communites YES 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 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