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Michael Jaillet, Town Administrator for Westwood announced that Westwood has been awarded a second competitive energy efficiency grant by the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER).
Three years ago, Westwood became a Green Community. Since becoming a Green Community, the Town has applied twice for grants to fund energy efficiency efforts in the Town and has twice been awarded a grant.
Tom Philbin, the Westwood Energy Manager and Patricia Healey a DPW Administrative Assistant, filed for a Green Communities Grant in March 2016 for $210,000. The proposed projects covered in the grant included a new control system at the Downey School, conversion of lighting at Downey and Martha Jones schools and at the Senior Center to LED.
Tom Philbin and James McCarthy, the Town Facilities Manager, attended the award ceremony in Auburn on June 28, where the 2016 awards were announced. Westwood received 100 percent of its application amount which is an indication of the high quality of the proposed projects and the completeness of the application.
This is due in great part to the fact that Westwood’s Energy Manager, Tom Philbin has a longstanding and a broad level of expertise in energy conservation. His effort was complimented by Patricia Healey’s hard work, dedication, and efficiency in preparing the application and assembling monthly energy usage data from all departments.
In addition to Green Community funding, Westwood will receive incentives from Eversource. Westwood works with Eversource in their Municipal program and receives help by way of financial incentives and project cost control through the use of pre-approved contractors. The Eversource Municipal program has proved to be a great benefit to towns in Massachusetts over the past ten years.
“We’re thrilled that Westwood has once again succeeded in securing a Green Communities Grant in recognition of their hard work to make the town more sustainable and energy efficient,” said Penni Conner, Senior Vice President and Chief Customer Officer at Eversource. “We share the town’s commitment in our own buildings, including at our Westwood offices where we’ve been awarded prestigious LEED Existing Building and Energy Star certifications.
It should be noted that part of the money committed to pay for Tom Philbin’s services came to Westwood in the form of an earlier grant from DOER. Once these new improvements which are funded by this new grant are made, the Town will see an ongoing annual reduction in its energy costs which are directly attributes to the projects covered by this grant.
The Town is expected to sign a contract with the Commonwealth on how the grant funds will be expended. The Town will need to report back to the state on the progress of the projects in order to receive full reimbursement.
As a Green Community, under Tom Philbin’s direction, Westwood is committed to continue to reduce its energy consumption by 20% over a five-year period. These newly funded projects, as well as others completed in past years and others that are being planned for the future, will contribute to the achievement of this goal. Additionally, the Town has committed to design enhancements at the proposed new Fire Station and Police Station which will make these facilities 30% more energy efficient than required by current building codes.
For Further information, please contact: Thomas Philbin, Energy Manager, and Town of Westwood. 50 Carby Street; 781-320-1036
