Norfolk is now a Green Community

Norfolk has joined with almost 75% of communities throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in adopting the “Stretch Energy Code,” a more stringent building code than the town previously had used. The code will apply to only new construction in town, and while there will be slight increases in construction costs for a typical 2,500 square foot home, in most cases the energy saved will save money in the long run.
The vote to approve the measure was taken at a recent town meeting, and while the vote was contentious, it was approved by a clear majority of those attending. Opposition centered on speculation that the new code would open the town to more 40B projects, possible increased costs to the town, and concern about unknown impacts of adopting the new building code.
Supporters pointed out that many surrounding towns have already adopted the Stretch Energy Code with negligible impact on those towns, and that Norfolk will now be eligible for substantial grants from the state to help fund projects that will improve energy efficiency in Norfolk.
Members of Norfolk’s Green Energy Committee have been working since 2009 to persuade Norfolk’s voters that it was in the town’s best interests to adopt this new building code. Emre Schveighoffer, a member of the Energy Committee, explained that grants of up to $250,000 per year from the state have been impossible for Norfolk to apply for, since the town had not met all the state requirements to become a “Green Community.”
Schveighoffer said, “We’ve already taken most of these steps to become a Green Community prior to the town meeting vote in December, but without the adoption of the Stretch Energy Code we couldn’t get these funds.”
The first requirement to becoming a Green Community was to pass zoning that allows for solar installations in town.
“On a per capita basis Norfolk has more solar energy projects here than so-called ‘progressive’ towns such as Lexington, as most of the photovoltaic systems are on homes, and people have embraced renewable energy as a means of powering their homes,” noted Andrew Bakinowski, chair of the Green Energy Committee.
Additional steps to becoming a Green Community required establishing expedited applications and permitting for renewable energy development, which was addressed in 2011 at a special Town Meeting. The town has also had to create an energy use baseline inventory for municipal buildings and facilities, as well as to adopt an energy reduction plan. This baseline was completed many years ago, but with a new school and upgrades to lighting at the Town Hall, this has to be revisited. Additionally, new construction projects, the Police/Regional Dispatch center and the Fire Station addition will have to be evaluated once the projects are complete. The grants available could be used toward energy efficient equipment and lighting, and energy generation.
Norfolk has already moved to purchase fuel efficient vehicles for municipal use when commercially available and practicable. The Energy Committee has worked closely with various town departments to accomplish all these goals, and looks forward to helping the town benefit further with the adoption of the state’s Stretch Energy Code.
The door is now open for Energy Committee members to complete the process to qualify for Green Community grants, which will provide the town with a $140,000 grant from the state. In following years, the town will be eligible to apply for grants of up to $150,000 for qualifying projects.
According to Bakinowski, “The town’s building manager has a list of projects he’s ready to go on, now that the Stretch Energy Code is approved. In fact, he has more town projects on his list than we’ll ever be able to do, but we have plenty of projects that will be eligible for state funding.”