Thank you to everyone who came out to the Select Board hearing on October 16th! Your powerful and unanimous support for becoming a Green Community was important, and the Select Board appreciated hearing from you – whether you spoke or were simply present.
We’re almost there! Here is a timeline of recent developments. We now await the review and decision by the DoER Green Communities Division. If past practice holds, the latest round of Green Communities would be announced by the end of the year.
November 22, 2019 – Green Community applications for the 2019 designation round due. Needham’s nomination was submitted.
November 12, 2019 – The Select Board discussed and unanimously voted its support for Needham’s application to become a Green Community
(November 12, 2019 – Since the Select Board has already heard from you, reward yourself tonight by heading over to the Solar Wine Tasting at Vino de Vino, then catch the Select Board later on The Needham Channel.)
November 6, 2019 – The Planning Board voted unanimously to support of Needham’s application to become a Green Community
November 5, 2019 – The School Committee voted unanimously to provide its support for the Green Community designation by adopting Town’s Fuel Efficient Vehicle Policy and Energy Reduction plan. The School Committee has authority over school operations and the adopted school budget. It therefore shares the responsibility for Green Communities implementation.
November 4, 2019 – The Town Manager and members of the Select Board consulted with the Finance Committee on the Green Communities program.
October 16, 2019 – The Select Board held a public hearing on becoming a Green Community. The town task force presented its work on the energy reduction plan. Over 75 residents turned out, many spoke – all in favor. When asked, the audience as a whole expressed unanimous support for becoming a Green Community.
Updated December 3rd, 2019.
