The Town of Hopedale is one step closer to becoming a “green community” after the Board of Selectmen adopted an Energy Reduction Plan in December. 

Currently, 271 of the Commonwealth’s 351 communities -- including the majority of towns surrounding Hopedale [map] -- are part of the “Green Communities Designation and Grant Program” through the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources. The program helps towns “find clean energy solutions for your local problems.” 

Once a town receives its official designation, it receives an initial $135,000 “designation grant” and the opportunity to apply for subsequent competitive grants for the next five years. 

Grants are typically no more than $200,000, Associate Planner Mimi Kaplan told selectmen as they adopted Energy Reduction Plan at their meeting on Dec. 21, 2020. Kaplan has been helping the town through the process. 

For the application, the town must submit a list of proposed projects (though they are not limited to that list). Suggested projects include: 

FY21-FY23

• Memorial ES Weatherization

• Memorial ES Pumps and VFDs

• JRHS/SRHS Weatherization

• JRHS/SRHS Pumps and VFDs

• JRHS/SRHS Demand Controlled Ventilation