EAST BRIDGEWATER — Town Administrator Charles Seelig is pleased to announce that the Town of East Bridgewater has been awarded a $200,000 grant from the state’s Department of Energy Resources (DOER) as a part of the Commonwealth’s Green Communities Program.
The grant funding is part of a statewide initiative to help Massachusetts cities and towns find clean energy solutions that reduce long-term energy costs and strengthen local economies.
The grant will fund several proposed projects in East Bridgewater, including:
- $12,013 going toward work on the transformer at Mitchell Middle School
- $100,000 for LED lighting divided between Mitchell Middle School and East Bridgewater Junior/Senior High School
- $32,651 for work on motors and variable frequency drives at the Town Hall
- $50,336 for weatherization measures at the East Bridgewater Public Library
- $5,000 toward administrative assistance for the Town
The projects are expected to be completed this summer, which will allow the Town to apply for additional funding in future grant rounds. Financial incentives from National Grid will also help provide additional funding for these projects.
“We’re very grateful to the Department of Energy Resources and Healey-Driscoll Administration for this funding,” Town Administrator Seelig said. “The grant allows us to continue to improve our energy efficiency within multiple municipal buildings and we look forward to implementing these new changes.”
The Town previously received a $160,000 grant in 2022 when it was designated as a Green Community. This is the first Green Communities Competitive Grant it has received. The Old Colony Planning Council assisted with the grant application process and will administer the grant on behalf of the Town.
Competitive grants are awarded to existing Green Communities that have successfully invested their initial designation grants and previous competitive grant awards. The Green Community Designation and Grant Program provides a road map along with financial and technical support to municipalities that pledge to cut municipal energy use by an ambitious and achievable goal of 20 percent over five years and meet four other criteria established in the Green Communities Act.
As of January 2024, the DOER has awarded more than $177 million to Green Communities in Designation Grants and Competitive Grants since 2010.
“Reducing energy use is good for municipal budgets and good for our climate,” said Gov. Maura Healey. “It’s important to recognize the hard work being done by our cities and towns to address climate change. Local action is essential to help Massachusetts meet its climate goals. We are happy to support these communities as they move forward with projects that help make Massachusetts a healthier and more affordable place to live and do business.”
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