$143,800 Green Communities Grant to Save Town Money

Renewable Energy Committee members outlined for selectmen several money-saving projects to take root this summer thanks to a $143,800 Green Communities grant.

The town will remove overhead lights at the Middle School and High School, replacing them with energy efficient lighting.

The retrofit also includes installation of timers and occupancy sensors.

The grant-funded project will cost $78,163 and save a projected $13,263 a year, according to the committee.

Also, the town will install steam traps in the heating system loops at Clarke and Stanley elementary schools.

This grant-funded project will cost $51,257 and save a projected $12,023 a year.

The traps are fittings that collect water condensed from steam.

The water would otherwise interrupt the flow of heat in the system, resulting in a less efficient system, committee member Victoria Masone said in an earlier interview.

Finally, the town will use the remaining $14,380 to help pay the salary of a part-time energy coordinator/planner.

Energy Committee members Neal Duffy, Milton Fistel, Victoria Masone and Wayne Spritz presented the Green Communities update to selectmen.

Fistel and Spritz attended a ceremony on June 1, in Gloucester where the Massachusetts Green Communities Division presented grants to Swampscott, Gloucester and Newburyport.

Committee members have been working on other projects designed to educate, reduce energy use and save money in town.

They include an energy use  education display to be installed at the high school and efforts to promote more efficient street lights.

Selectmen including David Van Dam thanked the committee members for the considerable time and effort they are putting into their volunteer positions.

Committee Chairman Neal Duffy said the panel’s work started with a former chairwoman.

“All these great things that are coming to fruition now started with Tara Gallagher,” he said.

Committee members also gave kudos to fellow member Victoria Masone, the town’s assistant engineer, for her dedication and help.

The school lighting retrofit and steam trap projects will be completed this summer, Masone said.