Arlington Receives $240K Grant for Energy Reduction Initiatives

The Town of Arlington received a grant from the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources Green Communities program, aimed at implementing more energy reduction initiatives in town.

The $240,000 grant from the DOER is Arlington’s fourth grant since 2010, combining for a total of $938,000, the town said. Arlington was one of more than 50 towns or cities around the state to receive a grant, which are capped at $250,000 per municipality.

“This grant award is a fulfillment of the sustainability goals set forth by the Board of Selectmen and the culmination of great work done by Ruthy Bennett, the Town’s Energy Manager and the Energy Working Group,” Arlington Town Manager, Adam Chapdelaine, said in an announcement from the town. “I am proud that Arlington continues to be a leader on sustainable initiatives in the Commonwealth.”

According to the Town of Arlington, the breakdown of the $240,000 grant is as follows:

• $96,288 Bishop Elementary School - Installation of web based Energy Management System
• $26,904 Bishop Elementary School - Installation of 3-way valve on boiler with temperature reset based on outside air temperature
• $69,614 Hardy Elementary School - Installation of programmable and energy management system connected thermostats
• $46,883 Brackett Elementary School - Installation of web based Fault Detection and Diagnostic Software program
• $31,742 Ottoson Middle School - Replace inefficient domestic hot water boiler with efficient condensing boiler
• $87,133 Bishop, Ottoson, Peirce, and High School - Upgrade Exterior Lighting to LED lights
• $6,995 Brackett and Peirce Upgrade Refrigeration System

• $365,560 Total Project Cost
• $240,000 Grant Funding
• $100,500 Utility Rebates
• $25,000 Town Contribution
• $73,000 Projected Annual Savings

According to state officials, the DOER grants issued to the 51 municipalities will provide funding for numerous clean energy and sustainability projects, including high efficiency lighting, installation of insulation and energy management systems at municipal building and facilities, LED streetlights, oil-to-gas heating system conversions and more.