This document summarizes an interactive qualifying project to designate the Town of Charlton, Massachusetts as a Green Community under the state's 2008 Green Communities Act. It provides background on the Act's criteria and benefits. An action plan and timeline are presented to conduct energy audits, adopt an energy reduction plan and stretch code, and complete other requirements to receive Green Community status and access grant funding by July. Challenges in gaining community support are also discussed.

1. Green Community Act: Town of Charlton
Interactive Qualifying Project
Deborah Silva (CE), Jennifer Henriquez (ECE), Joseph Szafarowicz(CE)
Advisor: Professor Kent Rissmiller
Abstract Stretch Code Action Plan
Punch list Items Completion Date
To designate the Town of Charlton as a Green Community Reduces energy usage by roughly 20%. 780
under the 2008 Massachusetts Green Communities Act, CMR 120.AA Appendix Stretch Energy Code 1) Have adequate as-of-right zoning in place 
M.G.L Ch. 25 § 10. This project shows the necessary offer cities a more aggressive energy than Town counsel letter certifying that the existing zoning complies 
research, data gathering, figures interpretation, cost the Massachusetts Baseline Building Energy 2) Have expedited permitting process in place 
analysis, local political study and recommendations to put Code (International Energy Conservation Town counsel letter affirming conformance of expedited permitting 
Charlton on a viable path toward Green Community Status. Code- IECC 2009) that must be adopted to 3)Create an energy inventory 
receive status.
Draft an Energy Reduction Plan 
Retrofits: Targets high energy loss areas
What is the Green Community Act? such as: insulation, lighting, heating and Adopt the Energy Reduction Plan July
cooling systems. 4)Complete vehicle inventory list to determine non-exempt vehicles 
• The Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ ambitious
attempt to reduce energy usage in local municipalities. Building Envelope: Air leakage though Adopt a Fuel Efficient Vehicle Policy July
ducts, vents, windows and doors cause heat 5)Conduct public outreach on Stretch Energy Code April
5 Required Criteria loss. Reinforcement through double-pane Adopt the Stretch Energy Code at Town Meeting May
windows, weather stripping, caulking and air Submit required documentation for Green Communities July
• As-of-right sitting of renewable energy sealants will increase heat retention
1 Cash Flow Analysis for Stretch Code Improvement
2 • Expedited Permitting Process Home Energy Rating Description
Stretch Code with Annual
System (HERS): ENERGY STAR Costs
3 • Energy Reduction Plan Improvement Costs $5,576
The consumption of Infrared images shows flaws in insulation
energy use through HERS Rater Fee $900
4 • Fuel Efficient Vehicle Policy
analysis of a home’s HERS Rater reimbursement ($650)
• Minimize Life-Cycle-Costs: Stretch Code performance to the ENERGY STAR Incentive ($650)
5
ENERGY STAR Total Improvement Costs $5,176
• Grants “Green Community” status to city/town - guidelines. New Mortgage Payment Increase ($376)
Qualifier for Green Communities Grant Program. construction less than Annual Energy Cost before savings $6,510
3,000 sqft must meet Insulation poorly fitted (left) Annual Energy Costs $5,055
• Raises awareness of energy and carbon reduction.
HERS Index of 70. Blower Door Testing (on right) Annual Energy Savings $1,455
Total Savings $1,079
Benefits Note: Average Home 4,462sft; HERS Index 65; Mortgage
• Grant of $150,000 to fund energy efficient projects. Energy Reduction Plan Interest Rate 6%; Loan Term of 30 years
• Lower energy bills estimated 20% annual savings. Charlton will calculate savings for each fiscal year relative to the consumption
• Lower carbon emission, air pollution, and air quality. data for fiscal year 2009. The Town of Charlton will need to achieve 20%
Recommendations
• Tax exemptions and NSTAR and Mass SAVE incentives reduction in energy use by June 30, 2014 to maintain their Green Communities • HVAC & Controls Improvement: Compressed Air Efficiency;
status. The current reduction rate is an estimate of 5%. Comprehensive system evaluations
Where Does My Money Go? Refrigerated dryers
Town Hall Electricity Demand: 2008-2011
Annual Energy Bill for a typical Single Family
B2Q Energy Audit Piping improvements
Home is approximately $2,200
11% 15000 Temperature Set-point
Heating
4% Leak repair
29% Cooling 10000
• Variable frequency drives (VFDs) for air compressors
kWh
12% Water Heating
Appliances 5000 • Light-emitting diode (LED) Exit Signs:T5 or T8 fluorescent lighting
13%
17% Lighting 0
systems; Electronic ballasts for lighting systems
14% • Building Envelope Improvements: Insulation for the Police Department
Electronics Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
• Vapor diffusion retarders
• Vehicle Improvements: Anti-idling policy for standing vehicles
Political Challenges Town Hall
505,935 $101,697 93
Charlton Police Acknowledgements:
• In Charlton we faced opposition from citizens and
122,623 $20 ,134 85
Dept. Thanks to the Town of Charlton for the support in giving access to their data and in advocating our efforts
286,092 $454,649 63
Charlton Public
builders who believe the initial costs inherent in the Library 49,177 $9,715 27 as well as to the Mass DOER for the documentation guidance and in supplying available resources.
stretch code are too high to support its adoption. Charlton Fire Dept. 3,011 $2 4 References:
[1] MA DOER. (2011). Green Communities Grant Program Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs
• The IQP Team held several presentations and meetings Charlton Highway 27,215 $4
Dept. [2] Stretch Code Adoption, by Community. Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources, 16 Nov. 2011. Web. 19 Feb. 2012.
<http://www.mass.gov/eea/docs/doer/green-communities/grant-program/stretch-code-towns-adoption-by-community-map.pdf>.
with town officials to advocate and promote awareness. 0 10 20 30 40
CO2 Emissions (lbs.)
50
thousands
60 $0 $20 $40 $60
Cost
$80 $100 $120
thousands
0 20 40 60
kBTU/sqft
80 100
[3] Vanasse Hangen Brustlin. (2009) Town of Charlton Action Plan. Retrieved September 2011