HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-02-24 Board of Selectmen HandoutTOWN MANAGER'S REPORT
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
• Spring leaf collection is cancelled due to FY 2009 Budget constraints
• The Compost Center will be closing at 4 PM on Saturdays beginning in April, again
due to budget constraints
• I have laid off the Assistant Building Inspector due to budget constraints and lack of
work.
• The Wayside Bazaar property is under contract for sale— for use as a restaurant by
the owners of Tanner Tavern in Woburn, and Stearns & Hill of Melrose.
• The date of the Community Organizations Seminar is February 26, 2009 in the
Selectmen's meeting room, Town Hall. The Health Division has sent out the
invitations
• DPW Director hiring process
• Meeting on March 9 re: zoning amendment — Smart Growth — 7:30 at Senior Center
• Town Meeting — April 27
• A 2BR affordable housing Unit at Sumner Cheney Place is available — cost is
$234,200.
• I have included in your packet at your request the history of snow and ice removal
over the past 18'/2 years
• I have included at your request the portions of the MWRA Capital Improvements
Program that includes funding for the NIH water storage and redundancy project.
• Your packet this evening includes an email from Bob Frey re: the 128/1-93 RFR for
the Interchange improvements
• We understand from the MBTA that they have done some work on the Ash Street
grade crossing protection, and that it is the first priority project to be completed this
year.
• There is a Patrick Administration Municipal Affairs Coordinating Council* meeting in
Melrose on March 5.
• Next Board of Selectmen - Office hour at 6:30 on
o March 3 — Ben Tafoya
Dates and Events:
• February 26 — Community Organizations training — Health, Town Clerk, Police,
Facilities Department
• March 3 - Warrant closes for Annual Town Meeting
• March 26 — Adopt and Island Kick-off (Thursday — non Board of Selectmen meeting
night)
• April 7 - Local Election
• April 27 — Town Meeting begins
Page I of 2
HechenbYelkneK, Peter
From: Frey, Bob (E0T) OUob.Frey@stato.me.us]
Gent: Monday, February 23.2OOS2/45PPW
To: Corey, John; Schubert, Rick; Anthony, Camille; Barnes, Jonathan; BnJen. Darlene; Clark,
Katherine; Clarke, Dennis; Cosgrove, Joe; DU3laa J Donnelly, Kenneth J.; Doyle, Jennifer;
Dwyer, James; Everson, Jeff; Gallagher, Jim; Gordon, Bill; Grover, Robert; Grzegorzewski,
Josh; Hamblin, Eileen; Jones, Bradley; Katsoufis, George; Kennedy, Anthony; Kinsman, Art;
Leiner, Craig; Lewis, Jason; Mayo, Rich; McLaughlin, Tom; Meaney, Paul; Medeiros, Paul;
Ragucci, David; Rogers, Maureen A.; Schmiedi, Elliot; Smith, Suzanne; Stinson, Richard;
Sullivan, Dan; Tarallo, Ed; Tisei, Richard; Webster, Bill
Cc: AUasoo. Ruth; Chong, Michael; Cru ' > ; Draisen, Mark /K4APC\; Frey, Bob;
Harwood, Tracey (Mayor |in\; Town Manager; Jonihuha.Tom; Madden, Diane;
McNeill, Ryan; McVann, John; PWedeirou. Paul (work); 0dfie|d.Cvnthia; Tofova' Ben
Subject: Update onthe 1-93/1-95 Woburn/Reading Interchange Improvements
Attachments: ExhibitABriefScopeforRFR.doc
Hello All,
We reoe|nnlovng forward w�hthe fuUem�ronn�onta review �r
improvements recently Interchange. Aea result, K4ossH' hwoyhae'ustndeaaeda"Requoetfor
Responses" (RFR) for the following:
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES IN THE PREPARATION OF A DRAFT AND FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
STATEMENT & ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT, COMPLETION OF 25% AND FINAL DESIGN PLANS
FOR THE |-S3/|-85 INTERCHANGE IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT |NVVOBURN. READING, GTONEHAK4.AND
WAKEFIELD.
Note that the solicitation is also for design services. Combining environmental studies and highway design work
into a single contract is one example ofMasaHighvva anaoentemphaaisonaoceleratedpnojeotde|kmry. The
attached file briefly describes the scope of work for the overall project. More information will be available once vve
have a consultant under contract, continuing with an information/public participation format very similar to that
used for the planning study.
You can (multiple
Click on heSn|io�atonotab, then click "Search foneSo|iritatun" For an easy search parameter, just type in
"605605" for the document number.
F - rinvolvement on the |'H38'85 Task Force during the planning abudy, all of you will beon the default e-
mail
distribution list for the environmental may opt out by contacting me). All information related tothe
completed planning study, environmental notification form, and MEPA certificate is still available at
I look forward to working with everyone again, and will continue to provide further significant news or milestones
once available.
Bob
Bob Frey
Manager of Transportation Analysis
Office of Transportation Planning
Massachusetts Executive Office ofTransportation
(617) 973-7449
bob.frey@ent. state. ma.un
Page I of I
Scheria, Paula
From: Henhenbleikner, Peter
Sant: Monday, February 23'2OOQ2/45PM
To: Sohene.Pou|a
Subject: FVV Ash Street Crossing
TM report 2-24
From:Zambouras, George
Sent: Monday, February 23, 2UU91:13 PM
To: McIntire, Ted; Cormier, ]kn; Lee, Michael
Subject: Ash Street Crossing )
Heard from the Railroad today regarding Ash Street.
|tie the ��tpn�noton�WB{�-^= list ~tobe worked on this year and if everything proceeds according to plan it
should be completed by late April to early May, 2009.
George J. Zambouras, P.E.
Engineer Town
78I-942-0083
781-942-5441/fax\
Email: gzambouras@ci.reading.ma.us
Dear Colleagues, Page 1 of 1
Hechenbleikner, Peter
From: Nunes, Robert G. [nunesr @dor.state.ma.us]
Sent: Monday, February 23, 2009 10:57 AM
To: Hechenbleikner, Peter
Subject: Municipal Cabinet Meeting with Lt. Governor Tim Murray
Dear Colleagues,
Following the proposal of the Patrick Murray Administration's Emergency Recovery Plan and the
second Municipal Partnership Act, Governor Deval Patrick's Municipal Affairs Coordinating Cabinet
(MACC) is again taking its meetings on the road and across the commonwealth.
During the fall of 2007 and spring of 2008, Lieutenant Governor Tim Murray and MACC left the State
House to take MACC to communities and hear directly from municipal leaders. The tour provided a
great deal of valuable input. The administration heard that input and filed legislation based on What we'd
heard on tour. Lt. Governor Murray has asked MACC to continue the tour this spring to six new
locations.
Please join Lt. Governor Tim Murray, Mayor Robert Dolan and MACC in Melrose for our second
listening tour stop of 2009 (our twelfth overall). This meeting will be held from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m. at
Memorial Hall (adjacent to Fire Headquarters and City Hall) on Thursday, March 5th. Memorial
Hall is located at 590 Main Street.
Chaired by Lt. Governor Murray, the meeting will focus on technology, civil service, health insurance,
purchasing, capital asset management, and human resources. It is forum for feedback on the recent
legislation as well as other non- legislative ideas. MACC is made up of six agency heads: the State
Purchasing Agent for Operation Services; Commissioner of the Division of Capital Asset Management
and Maintenance; Chief Human Resource Officer; Chief Information Officer; Executive Director of the
Group Insurance Commission; and Chairman of the Civil Service Commission.
For more information on the Patrick Murray Administration's Emergency Recovery Plan please see
y yWW. mass ...goy /governor/recoveryplaiu. The second Municipal Partnership Act, referred to as "An Act
Strengthening the Commonwealth's Partnership with its'Municipalities" can be found at:
http_ //Www mass gov /Ag vv3 /docs/Legislation /moa2.pdf.
Please RSVP by Wednesday, March 4th, 2009. You may do so by replying to this email or calling the
Division of Local Services at 617- 626 -2338.
Sincerely,
Robert G. Nunes
Deputy Commissioner & Director of Municipal Affairs
wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww
This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and
intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they
are addressed. If you have received this email in error please notify
the system manager at postmaster at dor.state.ma.us.
• wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwxw+ wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww
2/23/2009
Page 1 of 1
HechenbleikneK, Peter
From: Itgovoffice (GOV) [Ltg .nna.ua]
Gent: Friday, February 2O.20OS5:2OPM
To: hoovnffioe/GOV\
Subject: American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Update
Dear All,
Thank you again for taking the time to submit important municipal projects to the Administration for consideration
under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. VVe are reviewing the final language closely to find out
what exactly what types of projects anee|ig)b|efnrfodera|fund|ngandvmrk)ngvvithourpartnominthefadmna|
government tobe sure the vve are prepared for the funding process.
As know, we received thousands ofoubm�e�ns. VVe are ournant�rev�wingthe eubn��a�noand viU
continue ' bo do so on we interpret the ARRA language and federal agency requirements. Lists of all projects
submitted can be found on w.w...w,,911 a.ssgpytrqqgypry . Some of you may have oti d that the b ibe contains
two lists: "State- Reviewed, Shovel-Ready" and "Unreviewed." It is imperative to know that these lists are a
work in progress, and that no decisions have been made relative to funding or priorities. Thelistsare
simply that—the projects that have been determined "shovel-ready" and the ones that have not yet been reviewed
but will be. Though most municipal projects are on the "unreviewed" list as of the date of this email, I
assure you that vvo are working through all of the project aubnn{om/mns,negermVeaaofmhebhmrbheyane
state ormunicipal.
The Administration in committed tn working with you and all of our municipal partners to ensure the goals of
creating jobs and spurring economic development in the Commonwealth are reached.
Thank you again for your participation |n this effort.
Yours truly,
Timothy P.Murray
Lieutenant Governor
Deval 1—patrick
Govemor
Thilothy P. fAtirray
Lieutenant Goveillor
tail A. Bowles
in-remry, LEXCCLIfiVC Office OffifiLl-gy
,Ind ct Environmental Aftbirs
Philip Giudice
conlinissionw.
DmirIvIcmicipal Official:
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
EXE-"CUTIVE OFFICE OF
ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY RE SOURCES
100 CAMBRIDGE ST., SUITE 1020
BOSTON, MA 021.14
hirernet: NvNvwJV1ass.Gov/P0EX
Eniah: Energy @$L' (teJAAUS
Fobrupiry 90, 2009
TELEPHONE
617-626-713,00
FACSINTILE.
611-7427-0.010
61 7<727-a1)093
'I"he G-Ireen Communities Division at the Depiullinent of r-,ne]7111 ROSOLIWO-S, is Ulfiff to bet"ill �N'011du(' NVidl
cl) -- -t� Z-1
C-iLics and towns to Illuet tII0 reClUil-CillenIS 01 thO GI-eell Colillijunities (3 rantl1rogra ill Itild to lielpyOU llteet
1101-11- 1.2011b, in areas of energy efficiancy and renelvable eneqgy.
As you play knmv, the Green Conil.111.11lities Act established rive critoria for 11).0 11 ici pal i ties and regional
School districts to Illoet in order to quali-l'y fbr renewable energy and eier y effilpieney glints ilnd.lotii)y.
recently, our division received . p-pposed requirernents related to tIie,.cVi.ter!a:a!id::We
are planning to launch theprogram so 0,1'1,
So that wo can better support and flSSist Y( . '. . )LJI': Ill Llll.iCil)' 111ity / schoot.:dfsti, - ipt in Ipeeting the Green
Coniniunities crilerin, we iisk that ymi fill out the attached 12equest:15or that is
included with this corres.pondence. The R, FI lists in detail, the i-equireinchts for beconl1ii.i.(y it Green
C10111111111lity a . nd asks VOLI to indicate whother or not, you 66n meet each one.
witlithis illf'ormilLion we will be able to fOCLI.O.Olil-,Itteii(loii. Con those ef"t'orts. that wil.1li6fp,yotibecotiioI
GIV011 C01111111.11lity. We iftSl( that you con.iplete.aiid return the .P.P[by N40rch 23, 2009 , to Meg Lusardi,
Deputy Director vin entail al.: rnegy.lusal-di statemiams or by mail to her attention at the address above.
The Green C0111 Muni ties Division looks florward to being your partner ill creating a. (),i*ee'il.ei*lbiiorf-yvfiltLli,o
for the Com.nionweal 111. .I1- "yon have any cl uestion s regarding the. Green Co mill u il i ties, Division .. please do
not hesitate to contact tile directly at nitirk.sylvia q),stafe. nin. Lis.
Sincerely,
Director
Green Coiii.iiiti.iiities:.D.ivision
0?
GREEN COMMUNITIES PROGRAM
Request for Information Form
The Green Communities Act created a new grant and loan program for qualifying cities and towns that meet
criteria involving zoning and pennitting of energy facilities, energy use benchmarking and plans for reducing
energy use, fuel efficient vehicles, and minimizing life -cycle energy costs for new construction. Since October
2008 DOER staff have been doing outreach with communities to inform them about the program, discuss the
qualification criteria for receiving grants, and obtain feedback. DOER also issued DRAFT grant qualification
criteria for public comment in January. DOER is issuing this RFI to obtain information from municipalities to
determine how to best serve communities before issuing any RFR for grants and /or technical assistance.
DOER requests the following information from the person in the municipality best prepared to provide this
information.
Contact Name: Title:
Phone Number: E -mail:
GREEN COMMUNITIES CRITERIA
1. As of Right Renewable or Alternate Energy Zoning
Provide for the as -of -right siting of renewable or alternative energy generating facilities, renewable or
alternative energy research and development facilities, or renewable or alternative energy manufacturing
facilities in designated locations.
a. "As -of -Right Siting" is defined as siting that provides for the allowed use of, and does not
unreasonably regulate, or require a special permit.
b. An applicant can meet this requirement by providing as -of -right siting for one of the three
types of facilities described.
c. Communities can select the specific locations for the as -of -right siting, i.e. where these
facilities are to be located, but these locations must be feasible and practical.
d. Those communities who do as -of -right siting for generation facilities will receive extra credit
in consideration for funding awards
e. An applicant can meet this requirement with as -of -right siting for renewable or alternative
energy generation that meets one of the following project requirements:
i. On -shore Wind — a turbine of a minimum 600 kW in size or above
ii. Off -shore Wind — a turbine of a minimum 2.5 MW or above
iii. Solar Photovoltaic — a single ground- mounted system of a minimum of 250 kW or
above
iv. Biomass — a single facility of 10 MW or above
v. A CHP central plant serving multiple buildings — 5 MW or above
vi. Ocean, wave or tidal — no minimum threshold
Questions: (please mark one correct response):
Does your community have a by -law in place that can meet this criteria?
Dyes DNo
If a by -law is in place, which type of facility is it for:
DRenewable /alternative energy generation
DRenewable /alternative energy R &D facility
DRenewable /alternative energy manufacturing facility
If a by -law is NOT in place, what type of facility do you intend to purse for meeting this requirement
❑Renewable /alternative energy generation
❑Renewable /alternative energy R &D facility
❑Renewable /alternative energy manufacturing facility
If a by -law is NOT in place, when do you expect to be able to vote on such a by -law? DATE:
If a by -law is NOT in place, have you identified designated locations for the type of facility selected?
❑Yes DNo
Additional Comments:
2. Expedited Application and Permitting Process
(If you do not have a by -law in place to meet Criteria I then slip this requirement and proceed to requirement 3)
Adopt an expedited application and permitting process under which these energy facilities may be sited within
the municipality and which shall not exceed 1 year from the date of initial application to the date of final
approval.
• The expedited application and pennitting process applies only to the proposed facilities which are
subject to the as -of -right siting provision.
• An applicant can meet this requirement by applying the expedited permitting process of MGL c 43D
to these zoning districts.
Questions:
Do you have a 12 month or less expedited application and pennitting process in place for all local permitting of
the facilities you have identified for as -of -right siting?
DYES ONO
If you do NOT have an expedited application and pennitting process in place, when do you expect that it will be
in place?
DATE:
Additional Comments:
3. Energy Use Baseline Inventory for Municipal Buildings
Establish an energy use baseline inventory for municipal buildings, vehicles, street and traffic lighting, and put
in place a comprehensive program designed to reduce this baseline by 20 percent within 5 years of initial
participation in the program.
• A community can meet this requirement if it has completed an inventory as described above and has
already implemented a program to reduce the baseline within the previous 24 months.
• Acceptable tools for performing the inventory are:
• EnergyStar Portfolio Manager
• ICLEI Climate Action Climate Protection software
• DOER's Energy Information Reporting System
• Other tools proposed by the community and deemed acceptable by DOER
Questions:
rcl
Have you completed a baseline inventory of all of your:
Municipally owned and operated buildings: DYES ONO
.Street and traffic lighting: DYES ONO
Vehicles: DYES ONO
If yes, do you have a comprehensive action plan in place with specific actions and milestones to reduce your
fossil fuel energy consumption by 20% within 5 years? DYES ONO
If you have completed an inventory, but do not have an action plan in place, when do you expect to have a
comprehensive action plan in place?
DATE:
If you have not completed an inventory, when do you expect this to be completed?
DATE:
Additional Comments (please let us know if you have an action plan in place that either has a different
percentage reduction or was created up to 2 years ago and could be updated)
4. Purchase Fuel - Efficient Vehicles
Purchase only fuel- efficient vehicles for municipal use whenever such vehicles are commercially available and
practicable.
a. Heavy -duty vehicles only such as fire - trucks, ambulances, and public works trucks are exempt
from this criterion.
b. If an applicant does not have a vehicle fleet other than heavy -duty vehicles, it must propose
alternative means for meeting this requirement, eg. having in place policies and procedures that
promote reduced fiiel usage for the municipality. For example, carpooling incentives for
municipal employees, preferred parking for employees with hybrid vehicles, bike racks at
municipal buildings and incentives for employees to bike to work.
c. An applicant must provide a vehicle inventory for non- exempt vehicles and a plan for replacing
these vehicles with vehicles that meet the fuel efficiency ratings below. These fitel efficiency
ratings are set to ensure that at least 5 or more automatic transmission models of mass production
are available for sale in Massachusetts (all from affordable brands; no luxury brands). Based on
2009 and 2008 model year data from EPA results in combined city and highway MPG ratings of
not less than the following:
i. 2 wheel drive car: 29 MPG
ii. 4 wheel drive car: 24 MPG
iii. 2 wheel drive small pick -up truck: 20 MPG
iv. 4 wheel drive small pick -up truck: 18 MPG
v. 2 wheel drive standard pick -up 'trick: 17 MPG
vi. 4 wheel drive standard pick -up truck: 16 MPG
uestions:
Do you have an inventory of your existing fleet (model, year, estimated mpg) with plans for when they will
need to be replaced? DYES ONO
Do you have a policy or other mechanism adopted for purchasing only fuel efficient vehicles as defined above?
DYES ONO
If you do not have an inventory or a purchasing policy in place to meet this requirement, when do you think you
could have this in place?
DATE:
If you do not have a vehicle fleet that is required to meet this criteria, do you have alternative policies and
programs in place that could satisfy the criteria as described above? DYES ONO
Additional Comments:
5. Life -Cycle Cost of New Residential Construction over 3,000 sq ft and new Commercial and Industrial
Real Estate
Require all new residential construction over 3,000 square feet and all new commercial and industrial real estate
construction to minimize, to the extent feasible, the life -cycle cost of the facility by utilizing energy efficiency,
water conservation and other renewable or alternative energy teclniologies.
• The Board of Building Regulations and Standards (BBRS) is currently developing an optional
energy code that exceeds the current energy code that cities and towns can elect to adopt. It will
provide standards for both residential and commercial construction. The code is expected to be
adopted by BBRS in March and available for implementation in May. The draft code, along with a
summary, can be viewed on the BBRS website. The development of this code has included life -
cycle energy cost analysis and the code is substantially equivalent to meeting this requirement.
Therefore, an applicant can meet this requirement by adopting this code.
• Should a community choose to use a different standard, it must provide documentation that
demonstrates that application of this alternative standard results in reduced life -cycle energy costs.
NOTE: A community may adopt the stretch code through a decision of the annual town meeting, city
council, or board of aldermen, a separate by -law or ordinance change is not required.
Questions-
Do you expect to adopt the BBRS stretch code? DYES ONO
If yes, when? DATE:
Do you have another standard in place to meet this requirement for all new constriction along with the
supporting analysis that this standard reduces life -cycle energy costs for residential and new construction to use
to meet this criteria? ❑ YES ONO
If yes, what is that standard?
Additional Comments:
Additional Questions:
Does your community have an energy committee or something similar? DYES ONO
ll
February 3, 2009
TO: Town of Reading
Main Street Petroleum LLC (Joseph Prizio)
From: Micah Smith
RE: 5am open
I am a Franchise Specialist with ExxonMobil and I approve Main Street Petroleum LLC
to open before 6:OOam on an everyday basis as long as the site complies with all policy's
& regulations with the Town of Reading. Should you have any questions, you can reach
me at the information below.
Thanks,
Micah Smith
Cell: 203 - 228 -4440
Fax: 262- 313 -3325
Nhcah.j.smith@exxom-nobil.com
/,'- c'-'--'. -Z4 2_6(
MASSACHUSETTS 75 NORTH DRIVE
URVI TECHNOLOGY WESTBOROUGH, MA 01581
TEL: 5o8 870 0312
COLLABORATIVE
FAX: 508 898 2275
HARNESSING THE POWER OF INNOVATION WWW.MASSTECH.ORG
Frequently Asked Questions:
Municipal Light Plant Participation in the Renewable Energy Trust
December 23, 2008
The Green Communities Act of 2008 establishes a mechanism for municipal lighting
plants to participate in the Massachusetts Renewable Energy Trust and clarifies the
implications of such participation. This document provides answers to questions that
municipal lighting plants may have when considering whether to participate in the Trust.
NEW LEGISLATION
1) What law governs municipal light plant (MLP) ability to participate in the Renewable Energy Trust
(Trust or RET)? The Green Communities Act (Chapter 169 of the Acts of 2008) signed by Governor
Patrick in July 2008 amended the provisions of M.G.L. Chapter 25 which govern, in part, the
collection of a charge of 0.5 mill per kilowatt-hour to support the development and promotion of
renewable energy projects. The Act stipulates that an MLP that does not supply generation service
outside its own service territory or does not open to its service territory to retail competition may elect
to assess and remit the charge and join the RET.
Furthermore, the Act prohibits RET funding for projects in MLP territories unless:
• the mandatory charge for the RET is collected by the MLP and remitted to MTC, or
• the RET Governing Board determines that ...
➢ the grant, loan or subsidy is intended for the principal purpose of generating public benefits
for customers that do pay into the RET, and will generate only incidental private benefits to
the recipient, and
➢ the supported project provides unique or extraordinary opportunities to advance the public
purposes of the RET.
2) Will an MLP electing to participate in the Trust be required to open its service territory to retail
electric competition? No. This is explicitly stated in the Green Communities Act.
3) Can the MLP change its mind? No. Pursuant to the Green Communities Act, the MLP election to
join the Trust must be irrevocable. The RET Participation Agreement that the MLP must sign to
memorialize and enforce the irrevocability of the decision contains obligations to repay the Trust for
funds provided in support of projects within the MLP territory should the MLP ever subsequently act
in derogation of the decision to join the Trust..
COLLECTION OF FUNDS
4) What is the level of the charge for the Trust? The renewable energy charge is 0.5 mill (i.e. 1 /20`x' of
one cent) per kWh delivered to retail customers. For a typical residential customer consuming 600
kWh per month the contribution to the RET is 30 cents.
5) Who can increase, decrease or eliminate the charge for the RET? . The charge is set by law.
Changing it would require an Act of the Legislature.
6) How often would a municipal light plant make payments into the RET? Monthly.
7) ffho is the RET charge paid to? The Massachusetts Technology Park Corporation, doing business
as the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative.
RET PROGRAMS AND ELIGIBILITY
8) What programs would be open to MLP customers? All of the Trust's programs would be open to
MLPs that participate in the Fund. These include grants and loans for installation of photovoltaic,
wind, biomass, hydro or other systems at homes, businesses, institutions and public facilities. For a
description of current funding opportunities please see the RET web site at
http://www.masstech.org/renewableenergy/—l*adex.html.
9) Who can apply for and receive funding from the Trust? Eligibility varies by initiative but there is at
least one funding opportunity available to homeowners, business owners, public, private and non-
profit entities.
10) What technologies are eligible for support? This list of eligible technologies is set forth in
legislation which created the RET, and includes: biomass, fuel cells, hydropower, landfill gas, solar
photovoltaic, and wind. The Green Communities Act added solar thermal (water heating) and
geothermal; these technologies have not yet been incorporated into RET programs.
11) Will the RET guarantee a certain level of awards to a participating MLP? No. RET awards are
made based upon advertised criteria including, for example: eligibility, consistency with RET
programmatic objectives, credibility and quality of the proposal, and availability of funds. While the
RET does strive for geographic diversity in its, awards it does not establish minimum award levels for
any particular jurisdiction such as electric distribution service territory or municipality.
12) Wliat, if any, restrictions would apply to vintage projects that are otherwise eligible for support
from the trust? RET will not accept applications or make awards for projects in. MLP territories
until the effective date of the RET Participation Agreement. After that date, the eligibility of a project
for RET support will be determined by the rules and guidelines for each initiative. Keep in mind that
an important role of RET is to provide financial assistance to projects that would otherwise not go
forward under current market conditions. Accordingly, RET does not generally award funds to
projects that have already been successfully financed and/or built.
For example, work on PV installations seeking rebates under the Commonwealth Solar initiative
cannot begin until RET has formally awarded the rebate and the award recipient has signed and
returned a Commonwealth Solar Participant's Agreement to RET. Accordingly:
• A PV installation for which installation began prior to the effective date of the assessment of the
surcharge would not be eligible for RET support, even if the installation was not completed and
on -line until after the effective date of the assessment.
• A contract for installation of a PV system could be signed prior to the effective date of the
assessment of the surcharge but work on the installation could not begin until after RET had
awarded the rebate and the Commonwealth Solar Participant's Agreement was signed and
submitted to RET. These steps could only occur after the effective date of the assessment.
MECHANICS OF JOINING THE RET
13) How does an MLP join the RET? The Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MTC) has
developed a RET Participation Agreement to formalize an MLP decision to join the RET. The
Agreement is available at: b=://www.masstech.org/renewableenergy/mandate.htm-
14) What local approvals are necessary? This may vary by municipality according to local rules
governing the MLP. MTC will require a legal opinion from municipal counsel regarding the validity
of a municipal decision to join the RET. Generally, MTC will require that the municipal decision be
made and /or endorsed by both the MLP governing body (e.g. MLP Board of Commissioners) and the
elected municipal government (e.g. Board of Selectmen).
15) What requirements would be imposed on the MLP regarding mandatory disclosure on retail
electric bills? MLP bills must include a separate line item for the renewable energy charge which
shows the rate (0.5 mill per kWh) and bill amount for actual electricity consumption.
16) May an MLP elect to participate in the Trust if it is, by contract, prevented from assessing and
collecting the surcharge from one or more large customers for a period of years? No. The statute
states that an MLP "may elect to assess and remit a mandatory charge per kilowatt-hour upon its
electricity consumers on the same terms and conditions as amply to the charge imposed on consumers
residing in competitive distribution service territories" (M.G.L. Chapter 25, Section 20(b), emphasis
added). The charge for competitive distribution service territories applies to all electricity consumers
(M.G.L. Chapter 25, Section 20(a)).
17) Under what programs, if any, would MLP "utility" scale projects qualify for participation? We
understand the term "utility" scale to mean a generating facility that serves wholesale power markets
(including the MLP) and is not electrically associated with a particular building or facility. RET's
Predevelopment Financing Initiative has in the past provided grant funding to municipalities for
feasibility studies and predevelopment work (e.g. detailed technical and environmental studies,
electrical interconnection, permitting, power and REC marketing) for such projects.
18) Does participation in the Trust subject an MLP to the net metering requirements include in the
Green Communities Act? No.
MORE INFORMATION
For more information contact:
Nils Bolgen — bolgen@masstech.org; 508- 870 -0312 x1 -402.
HAMCH -El-bd t,)AAMPAFAOr- AILPPanGapation Lt= -0 PuWI —&n rI37888.d-
Massachusetts Green Communities Progjam Overview
Created Green /�ctof2OO8to enable ci�eooz�dtnvvzm:
*
• To become more sustainable;
• 7n deal with rising energy costs; and
• To incubate clean energy technologies aod practices
o aim isto "ensure that cities and towns maximize their opportunities to
save energy at schools, city halls, firehouses, and other town-owned buildings; to
generate some of their energy needs from the sun, wind, local etreams,forest
trimmings, oz other renewable sources; aoto make other decisions that reduce their
environmental impact azndcoz6onfootnrint."
Green Grant and Loan Program
• construct
renewable energy projects, or pursue other innovative projects that further
the communities' efforts to reduce their fossil fuel consumption."
• Will make available $IOn-ODoo per year to cities and towns for energy
efficiency and renewable energy initiatives
• Program funding comes from revenues generated }n' the Regional
Greenhouse GmoInitiative.C(]2aDovvanceaoctioznsYJOTt6ronghatatefcozdm.
• RGGIiom cooperative effort byten Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states
to limit greenhouse gas emissions through a market-based cap-and-
bacleapproacbvviUztbegnaIof achieving olO% reduction to
emissions bv201A
• Auctions held in September and December of20O0 have already
generated $28 million for Massachusetts' energy efficiency and dean
energy activities.
To Qualify moaGreen Conummity, community must:
• File application with Department of Energy Resources
• Provide for am-c6-rght siting of renewable oralternative generating facilities,
research and development facilities, nr manufacturing facilities bz town-
designated hcodozs
• Adopt and expedited application and permitting process under which such
facilities may be sited within the municipality aodnhdcbybcdlootexceedI
year from the date of initial application to the date of final approval.
• Establish and energy use baseline inventory for municipal lmildinne,
vehicles, street and traffic li and put io place acomprehensive
program designed tnzedocetbi baseline }m2D% within 5 years ofinitial
participation
• Purchase only fuel-efficient vehicles for municipal use whenever such
vehicles are commercially available and practicable
• Require all new residential construction over 3,OOO square feet and all new
coumzncialondiudnatziolcozstzocbnnhozoizdzodze,totheexten±feu*Hble.
the cost of the facility bnutilizing energy efficiency, water
conservation and other renewable or alternative energy technologies
o Participate in the Massachusetts Renewable Energy Trust
■ The Green Communities Act amended the provisions of MGL
Chapter 25 to allow Municipal Light Plants to participate in the
Renewable Energy Trust
■ Would require vote of the RMLD Board and, possibly, Board of
Selectman
■ All retail customers would be charged $0.0005 (1/20th of one cent) per
kWh; for the average residential customers, this would add less than
$5 per year to their electric bill.
■ The charge is set by law and changing it would require an Act of the
Legislature.
• Would also enable town to apply for renewable energy grants offered
through the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative
Massachusetts is said to be receiving $890 million of federal stimulus funds for
infrastructure improvement; a percentage of that will be targeted for municipal
energy efficiency improvements and will be distributed through the Department
of Energy Resources
This federal stimulus funding may be contingent upon a community qualifying
as a Green Community or making a good faith effort toward becoming a Green
Community.
Draft 01 -09 -09
DRAFT - Guidelines for Qualifying as a Green Community - DRAFT
GENERAL INFORMATION:
• All local governmental bodies per MGL c. 25A § 3 can apply.
•: In the scoring of applications, a certain number of points will be allocated for meeting each
requirement. To receive the maximum number of points available for a requirement, an applicant
must fully meet the requirement and provide supporting documentation. However, applicants
can also receive a portion of the points available for each requirement by committing to meeting
the requirement within a specified time period, and providing documentation to demonstrate the
commitment.
d, There is a waiver provision in the Green Communities Act for meeting the requirements.
However, this does not allow an applicant to state that a requirement "does not apply ". The
applicant must provide an alternative means for meeting the requirement other than stated. For
example, for Requirement 5 below, this will apply to those applicants who do not have a vehicle
fleet.
• Applicants will also be able to receive bonus points for the following:
• The applicant meets all four of the Environmental Justice Criteria below for the entire
community:
■ Median annual household income is at or below 65% of the statewide median income;
■ 25% or more of the residents are minority;
■ 25% or more of the residents are foreign-born;
25% or more of the residents are lacking English language proficiency
• The application consists of more than one community.
• The applicant meets the as -of -right siting requirement with renewable or alternative
energy generation facilities.
• The applicant provides documentation of other initiatives that are not part of the Green
Communities requirements but advance the mission of the program.
SUMMARY OF REQUIREMENTS TO QUALIFY AS A GREEN COMMUNITY
As outlined in MGL c. 25A § 10(c), a municipality or other local government body must do all of the
following:.
1. File an application with the Department of Energy Resources in a form and manner to be
prescribed by the Department.
o To receive the maximum number of points, the application must address all of the
requirements as stated below.
2. Provide for the as -of -right siting of renewable or alternative energy generating facilities,
renewable or alternative energy research and development (R &D) facilities, or renewable or
alternative energy manufacturing facilities in designated locations.
• "As -of -Right Siting" is defined as siting that provides for the allowed use of, and does not
unreasonably regulate, or require a special permit.
• An applicant can meet this requirement by providing as -of -right siting for one of the three
types of facilities described.
• Those who meet the requirement through as -of -right siting for renewable or alternative
generation will receive bonus points.
Draft 01 -09 -09
• If a community has as -of -right siting in place for R &D and/or manufacturing facilities in
general, this can meet this requirement, but the community must demonstrate that the
zoning by -law applies to renewable and alternative energy R &D or manufacturing..
• Communities can select the specific locations for the as -of -right siting, i.e. where these
facilities are to be located, but these locations must be feasible and practical.
• If providing as -of -right siting for generation, the community must select technology that is
practically available and provides a realistic opportunity for generation. It is expected that
a community will appropriately utilize its available renewable resources, and this will be
taken into consideration in the review of an application meeting this requirement. For
example, it would be expected that a community with wind resources of 6m/s or above will
provide as -of -right siting for wind generation.
• As -of -right zoning by -laws can apply appropriate standards that protect public health and
safety and provide for non - discretionary site plan review. Reasonable environmental
performance standards per the developed by -law may be incorporated into the Site Plan
Review (SPR) process (e.g. height, setback, etc...), but cannot be so stringent as to make
the use infeasible. The thrust of this aspect of the policy is that SPR be truly non-
discretionary. In other words, if the standards and zoning requirements are met, the project
can be built. This is distinct from the Special Permit (SP), in that the SP may be denied if
the Planning Board or other permit granting authority is not satisfied with the project.
• An applicant can meet this requirement with as -of -right siting for renewable or alternative
energy generation for one of the following project requirements:
• On -shore Wind — a turbine of a minimum 600 kW in size or above
• Off -shore Wind — a turbine of a minimum 2.5 MW or above
• Solar Photovoltaic — a single ground- mounted system of a minimum of 250 kW
or above
• Biomass — a single facility of 10 MW or above
• A CHP central plant serving multiple buildings — 5 MW or above
• Ocean, wave or tidal — no minimum threshold
3. Adopt an expedited application and permitting process under which these energy facilities may
be sited within the municipality and which shall not exceed 1 year from the date of initial
application to the date of final approval.
• The expedited application and permitting process applies only to the proposed facilities
which are subject to the as -of -right siting provision.
• An applicant can meet this requirement by applying the expedited permitting process of
MGL c 43D to these zoning districts.
4. Establish an energy use baseline inventory for municipal buildings, vehicles, street and traffic
lighting, and put in place a comprehensive program designed to reduce this baseline by 20
percent within 5 years of initial participation in the program.
• A community can meet this requirement if it has completed an inventory as described above
and has already implemented a program to reduce the baseline within the previous 24
months.
• For applications consisting of more than one community, all communities must complete
the inventory. However, the comprehensive program to reduce the baseline by 20% can be
applied across all communities.
• Acceptable tools for performing the inventory are:
■ EnergyStar Portfolio Manager
Draft 01 -09 -09
• ICLEI software
• DOER's Energy Information Reporting System
• Other tools proposed by the community and deemed acceptable by DOER
5. Purchase only fuel- efficient vehicles for municipal use whenever such vehicles are
commercially available and practicable.
• Heavy -duty vehicles only such as fire- trucks, ambulances, and public works trucks are
exempt from this criterion.
• If an applicant does not have a vehicle fleet other than heavy -duty vehicles, it must propose
alternative means for meeting this requirement, eg. having in place policies and procedures
that promote reduced fuel usage for the municipality. For example, carpooling incentives
for municipal employees, preferred parking for employees with hybrid vehicles, bike racks
at municipal buildings and incentives for employees to bike to work.
• An applicant must provide a vehicle inventory for non - exempt vehicles and a plan for
replacing these vehicles with vehicles that meet the fuel efficiency ratings below. These
fuel efficiency ratings are set to ensure that at least 5 or more automatic transmission
models of mass production are available for sale in Massachusetts (all from affordable
brands; no luxury brands). Based on 2009 and 2008 model year data from EPA results in
combined city and highway MPG ratings of not less than the following:
■ 2 wheel drive car: 29 MPG
■ 4 wheel drive car: 24 MPG
■ 2 wheel drive small pick -up truck: 20 MPG
0 4 wheel drive small pick -up truck: 18 MPG
® 2 wheel drive standard pick -up truck: 17 MPG
■ 4 wheel drive standard pick -up truck: 16 MPG
(NOTE: A spreadsheet of the vehicles that meet this requirement will be provided with the
application form)
6. Require all new residential construction over 3,000 square feet and all new commercial and
industrial real estate construction to minimize, to the extent feasible, the life -cycle cost of the
facility by utilizing energy efficiency, water conservation and other renewable or alternative
energy technologies.
o The Board of Building Regulations and Standards (BBRS) is currently considering the
development of an optional energy code that exceeds the current code that cities and towns
can elect to adopt. It will provide standards for both residential and commercial
construction. This code is currently not available. The development of this code is
including life -cycle cost analysis and is substantially equivalent to meeting this
requirement. Therefore, an applicant can meet this requirement by adopting this code.
(NOTE: The code will define New Construction with respect to renovations and additions.)
o In the interim, in order to meet this requirement, applicants can implement some type of
incentive program for residential, commercial and industrial construction to meet the
following, which reflect the development of the new code.
■ Residential — EnergyStar Homes
■ Commercial, Industrial —New Building Institutes (NBI) Core Performance
criteria
o Should a community choose to use a different standard, it must provide documentation that
demonstrates that application of this standard results in reduced life -cycle energy costs.
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