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Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree Announces Saugus Awarded $135K Green Communities Grant

Posted on: September 19, 2019 - 10:34am
Green Communities Awards Ceremony

(Saugus, MA) September 18, 2019 – Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree is pleased to announce the Town of Saugus has been awarded $135,565 in Green Communities Competitive Grant Funding through the Department of Energy Resources (DOER) to fund several sustainability-related projects within the community.

Town Manager Crabtree accepted the award during a ceremony at the Cordaville Hall in Southborough, Mass. on September 17, 2019. He was joined by Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Kathleen Theoharides, DOER Commissioner Judith Judson, and Deputy Director for the Green Communities Division Joanne Bissetta.

This is the fourth time the Town of Saugus has received funding through the Green Communities initiative to fund sustainability-related projects. The Town was awarded a grant of $250,000 in 2018, $242,903 in 2017, and $208,335 when Saugus was first designated as a Green Community in 2015.

“I want to thank the Board of Selectmen, Finance Committee, and Town Meeting for their support of these important green initiatives for our community, residents, and taxpayers,” said Town Manager Crabtree. “I would also like to thank the Baker/Polito administration, Secretary of EEA Kathleen Theoharides, DOER Commissioner Judith Judson, Deputy Director for the Green Communities Division Joanne Bissetta, and the Legislature for their continued support of these imperative initiatives. Lastly, I would like to thank our Green Communities Regional Coordinator Neal Duffy for his guidance.”

This most recent Green Communities grant will assist with funding the following clean energy projects:

  • Retrofitting Lighting to LED Lighting at the Department of Public Works;
  • Retrofitting Lighting to LED at the Town Hall Annex; and
  • A Roof-Top Unit replacement at the Public Safety Building.

These projects are anticipated to reduce energy consumption by 52,379 kWh each year and save the Town and the taxpayers an estimated $12,910.67 annually, in addition to the grant savings of $135,565.  

“I would like to commend Town Manager Crabtree for his leadership in applying for and receiving this distinguished Green Community state designation in 2015 and continuing to apply for and secure Green Community grant funding throughout the last four years, totaling nearly $850,000 in savings for the citizens of Saugus and this significant cause,” said Board of Selectmen Chairwoman Debra Panetta. “Preserving and protecting the environment and promoting energy efficiency in our community has been a continuous priority of mine, this Board of Selectmen, and our Town Manager, so it is incredibly important that we continue to pursue beneficial grant opportunities such as these.”

The Town of Saugus applied for this grant earlier this year. This round of funding was competitive and there was no guarantee the Town would receive any funding. The Town’s project proposals were compared to other Green Communities and the DOER Green Communities Division weighed each project proposal individually, and found that Saugus was deserving of funding.

Last year, funding received through the Green Communities grant program allowed the Town to invest in the following projects:

  • The conversion of fluorescent bulbs to LED bulbs at the Town Hall and Senior Center interiors and exteriors, as well as the exterior of the Public Safety Building, to reduce electrical costs by $27,930 annually;
  • The replacement of a rooftop at the Public Safety Building to ensure proper functioning and improved interior air quality and temperatures within the building;
  • The replacement of pumps, drives, and motors on the heating system in Town Hall, to include hi-efficiency variable motors, reducing wear-and-tear and energy use costs; and
  • The replacement of the hot water boiler at Town Hall to reduce energy consumption and costs.

Under the Green Communities Act, cities and towns must meet certain criteria to be designated a Green Community and receive funding. The grants provide financial support for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects that further the designated communities’ clean energy goals. This seventh annual round of DOER Green Communities competitive grants is awarded to existing Green Communities that have successfully invested their initial designation grants and previous competitive grant awards.

Since first being designated as a Green Community, Saugus has been committed to reducing its energy consumption by 20 percent over five years. This award and the projects selected are crucial to achieving this ambitious goal.

“We are extremely grateful that the Town of Saugus has been awarded this generous grant through DOER. This funding has and will continue to tremendously benefit the Town of Saugus through cost-effectiveness and energy-efficiency,” concluded Town Manager Crabtree.

For more information, contact the Town Manager’s office at 781-231-4111.

 

About The Town of Saugus

The Town of Saugus, Massachusetts, is a family-friendly, historic neighborhood Town located along the north shore, ten miles north of Boston. First settled in 1629, Saugus is home to historic sites, top-tier public services, and a thriving business community. Strong community support, a forward-thinking approach to town government, rich recreational opportunities, affordable choices, and easy access to all the amenities that Boston has to offer – they all contribute to make Saugus a Town where businesses flourish and families make their home.

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