Environmental Sustainability Committee Supports New High School

On January 12, 2023, the Wakefield Environmental Sustainability Committee(ESC) voted to support the proposed plan to build a new Wakefield Municipal High School. The vote, which was unanimously made by all members present, reads:

We, the Wakefield Environmental Sustainability Committee, support the proposed new Wakefield
Memorial High School project. We support in particular the project’s goals of being Net Zero ready, achieving Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver or better, having all-electric mechanical systems, inclusion of a green roof, and other sustainability features as noted in the Schematic Design submission to the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA).

(see full statement and footnotes here)

The Wakefield ESC is an official town committee that meets regularly to support the Town of Wakefield's efforts to "make decisions and take actions that balance environmental quality, economic prosperity, community livability and social equity," and other guiding principles. The Committee is comprised of seven appointed members of the public, a representative from each of: Town Council, School Committee, Wakefield Municipal Gas & Light Department, and Department of Public Works, and non-voting student liaisons.

The vote to support the proposed new high school was taken in advance of the Special Town Meeting being held on Saturday, January 28th at 9 am at the Field House of the Wakefield Municipal High School. A 2/3 majority of Town Meeting participants must vote Yes to the town's proposal to build and finance a new high school (with financial support from the Massachusetts School Building Authority) in order for the project to move forward. Additional information on the project is available here.