Green Communities' Criterion on Special Town Meeting Agenda

The town of Milton is considering entering the Green Communities Program, which would make the town eligible for $10 million worth of grants, if it hits five key requirements. A September warrant item for the Special Town Meeting will consider one of those requirements: the adoption of the Stretch Code for new buildings and renovations.

On August 5, the Board of Selectmen held a public hearing on the Stretch Code, which included a presentation from Caitriona Cooke of the Conservation Services Group.

Cooke explained that the Stretch Code would create a performance-based code that essentially gives each building a label for energy efficiency. HERS (Home Energy Rating System) ratings will provide information like the nutrition facts on food labels.

The Green Communities Program does not create new standards, but rather requires compliance to the latest IECC (International Energy Conservation Code), with additional checklists and inspections.

The requirements can be broken into two distinct categories: new construction and additions.

For new construction, HERS raters would be hired by the builder and analyze different aspects throughout construction. An EPA Thermal Bypass checklist would also be used for ductwork and insulation.

Cooke explained that costs on new construction projects would be higher than normal, but even with ultra-conservative estimations, the properties always come out "cash positive," meaning the energy savings outweigh the up-front investment.

"You're not necessarily incurring cost," said Cooke of the requirements. "You're just building a good building."

The other set of requirements, which would be more frequent in Milton, pertains to additions. Unlike the new construction requirements, additions do not require a HERS rater, rather the homeowner or builder is asked to follow a checklist. The list includes insulation and ducts outside the conditioned space. Energy Star windows would be the only cost increase required by the Stretch Code on addition projects.

Gene Irwin, a Town Meeting member from Precinct 9, took advantage of the public hearing format to ask questions about the Stretch Code. Irwin contended that the added costs, especially to new homes would scare builders away from Milton. He also believes that the people would be better left to make their own decisions.

"A lot more could be done if this was voluntary instead of mandatory," said Irwin.

More feelings, both pro and con as well as issues and questions, will be heard on September 20 as Town Meeting considers the adoption of the Stretch Code.

If Milton approves the Stretch Code, it will need to adhere to four other areas to become a certified Green Community. The town would need to: adopt as-of-right siting, in designated locations, for Renewable Energy/Alternative Energy (RE/AE) Generation, or RE/AE Research and Development, or RE/AE Manufacturing; adopt expedited (12 month) application and permitting process for RE/AE projects; establish an energy use baseline inventory with a program to reduce baseline by 20 percent in five years; and purchase only fuel efficient vehicles.