Town meeting, Saturday, March 10, 2012

Vote YES on the Article on Green Communities participation: “To see if the town will vote to adopt a new Chapter 13 to the General Bylaws to be known as the Stretch Energy Code.”
Adoption the Stretch Energy Code will allow Duxbury to qualify to be recognized by the state of Massachusetts as a Green Community under the Green Communities Act. Eighty-six cities and towns from all regions of the state, ranging in population from 393 to 617,594 residents, are now designated as Commonwealth "Green Communities." Once recognized as a Green Community Duxbury becomes eligible for many state grants used for energy efficiency improvements in town buildings. Since becoming a green community the town of Kingston has received approximately $180,000 that has been used to make energy saving improvements that save the town over $100,000 annually. The Stretch Code will yield significant cost savings for local residents and businesses by making buildings and homes more energy efficient and will increase design and construction firm competitiveness in the growing green building marketplace.
After adoption of the stretch code construction costs are estimated to rise approximately $3,000 for a typical single family home and by 1-3% for commercial buildings; however, when purchasing a home built to the stretch codes, the owner would typically see savings due to reduced energy usage.
Sustainable Duxbury whole heartedly endorses passage of this article.
For more information go to www.mass.gov/energy/greencommunities