Projects/Green Community/Roadmap

From Green Needham

A roadmap to becoming a Green Community would include:

• Commitment from the Board of Selectmen and Town Manager to becoming a Green Community
• Commitment by the Town to reduce municipal energy use by 20%

• This would likely be undertaken by the Public Facilities Department and the Town Manager with the consultation/support of the Board of Selectmen)

• Generating support within the community - elected and appointed boards and officials, Town Meeting, residents and the community at large
• Commitment by the Town to buy only fuel-efficient vehicles (where available)

• The Town has already begun purchasing fuel-efficient vehicles, so meeting Green Community requirements is basically an expanded commitment to that effort
• Town Departments and the Town Manager would lead this effort.

• Adoption of an energy-efficient building code.

• This would be led by the Building Department and the Town Manager, receive the support of the Selectmen and require approval by Town Meeting.

• Adoption of appropriate zoning by-laws to meet the as-of-right siting and expedited permitting requirements

• The Planning Department would develop options and language for discussion by the Planning Board
• The Planning Board would hold public hearings, then draft, discuss and vote on the zoning by-law changes
• The Zoning By-Law changes must be approved by a 2/3 vote of Town Meeting

• Application for Green Community status submitted to the Green Communities Division of Mass DoER

• Town staff and management would prepare and execute the application