Winchester Recognized for Being a Green Community

 Winchester officials collected a check for $151,475, which they will use to make more energy efficient.

The check was one of four handed out by Director of the Green Communities Division Meg Lucardi and Assistant Secretary of Energy Frank Gorke during a ceremony held at Watertown Town Hall Tuesday afternoon.

“The most important energy we have is the energy we don’t use,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Richard Sullivan. “Winchester is a leader in that field and they stepped up and deserve this grant.”

Selectman Roger Berman thanked state officials for the money.

“I am grateful for the opportunity, and hopefully we will use the money well,” Berman said.

The state's 2008 Green Communities Act established the Green Communities Division within the Department of Energy Resources (DOER) established five criteria for communities seeking a green distinction; among the criteria are purchasing only fuel-efficient vehicles and developing a plan to reduce baseline energy use by 20 percent within five years.

During Fall Town Meeting, Winchester passed the final criteria –

It requires Winchester to adopt a more stringent energy code known as the "Stretch Code," which was developed by the state's Board of Building Regulations and Standards. The code is technically an appendix to the state's existing energy code and requires higher efficiency levels in new residential and commercial construction and major homeowner renovations.

State Rep. Jason Lewis, D-Winchester, said he has been amazed by the effort in town to make the project a reality.

“It’s exciting to see what can happen with grassroots efforts and top-down leadership,” Lewis said.

In March, the state Department of Energy Resources awarded its latest round of grants worth $3.6 million for local renewable power and energy efficiency projects to the state’s newest Green Communities. The group includes 18 cities and towns from Boston to the Berkshires that earned the designation last December.

Gorke said the projects funded by the Green Communities program will save a great bundle of energy, and will help the Bay State become a leader in green energy.

“Gov. Patrick said this is what it takes to really become a clean energy leader,” Gorke said.

Along with the check, the town officials received a plaque and four street signs to hang up around town.