SUPPORT BARNSTABLE BECOMING A GREEN COMMUNITY

Barnstown is the only town onn the Cape tht has not beome a Green Comminity

GREEN COMMUNITIES:  Barnstable is now the ONLY town on the Cape that is not designated as a Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) Green Community,  a state program started in 2008. (On the map in the linked document , the only towns in the State that are not green communities appear in white.)  Town Council voted it down 16 Dec 2021 by a 6-6 vote.  Opposition cited the cost to developers of the Stretch Code which has recently been made less cumbersome.https://tobweb.town.barnstable.ma.us/BoardsCommittees/TownCouncil/Minutes/2021/12-16-21_mins.pdf   Discussion and vote on GC pg 15-17). 

 The program is now being revisited and hopefully will pass.  Among its many benefits the program makes  towns eligible for up to a $250,000 annual grant.  Mashpee has already benefited by more than $1 million dollars.  The Barnstable Infrastructure & Energy committee will hold an educational workshop at the Town Council March 20th meeting. Information about the program can be found  in the document link above. The presentation will feature a number of speakers including Jane Ward..  BDTC members are encouraged to attend either in person or by Zoom.  If you are attending in person, please wear green and feel free to voice your support  during public comments or in writing!!  Let our Town Councilors know you are concerned and in support of becoming a Green Community!! Thank you