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HomeMy Public PortalAboutResilient Watertown Priorities and Concerns Survey Summary R E S I L I E N T Survey Results W A T E R T O W N , , TAKING ACTION 70GETHER FOR A BETTER FUTURE May Resilient Watertown is the Town of Watertown's climate action and resilience effort. The planning process, which began in September 2019, is part of the MVP Planning Grant funded by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs. Resilient Watertown will enable the Town to reduce its contribution to climate change and increase community resilience. Feedback was collected from the MVP Core Team, which included those from Planning, Department of Public Works, Police Department, and Fire Department, and from public input, core to the development of Resilient Watertown. Hearing the priorities of the public will help ensure that the results effectively serve all Watertown residents. To achieve this goal, the project team launched an online survey to gather feedback on priorities and concerns around climate change and resilience. This report details the results of that survey. Welcome z s 4 5 o . z 0 0 Y = = UO 2 0 ©Begin r J H a I—y 0 • • • • • • • SURVEY RESULT This survey was open for eight weeks—from March 9 to May 4, 2020 and had 358 participants. Below are the top-rated concerns from the Watertown community. More detailed results are on the following pages. Average Rating (1 is highest; 5 is lowest) 1 1.5 T 2 I I 2.5 I 3 T 3.5 4 4.5 I 5 Infrastructure Climate Transportation Natural Energy Preparedness Community Waste Hazards Resources Vitality • • 3 Concerns Hazards1 . Infrastructure 2. Climate 3. • • • TKIM LUNDGREN 2 ASSOCIATES INC. Customized Solutions far the Community You Want SURVEY RESULTS- The graphs below show the distribution of strongly disagree (1 ) to strongly agree (5). The top ranked result based on total averages (in parentheses) for Climate Hazards was Drought. The graph below shows the distribution of votes. Climate Hazards 120 i 100 80 ■1 I 2 60 I ■3 i I 4 I 40 I 5 20 Mr Drought Extreme Storms Flooding Heat Waves Participant Comments Drought (3.86) : 1 take all the steps can to reduce my water consumption head. We limit use of the garden during times of drought. hose and " • Extreme storms (3.20): 1 have been waterto a minimum. We also have a low _ washing machine personally impacted by extreme and d - storms. • Flooding (3.78): I am concerned aboutflooding on my street and backed """"""""""" "Huge branches breaking; the effects of flooding on up sewers; blown transformers" transportation, infrastructure and/or my personal property. • Heat waves (3.77): 1 have the resources I need to stay cool on hot days. � KL/� ASS LUNDGREN 3 ASSOCIATES INC. Customized Solutions far the Community You Want SURVEY RESULTS: A The graphs below show the distribution of strongly disagree (1 ) to strongly agree (5). The top ranked result based on total averages (in parentheses) for Community Vitality was Green Industries. The graph below shows the distribution of votes. Community Vitality 80 70 — 60 50 ■1 2 40 ■3 30 4 5 20 10 — 0 Education Green Industries Local Businesses Social Ties Youth • Education (3.62): 1 know where to look for reliable information about climate change and sustainability. Green Industries (4.37): 1 would favor the Town using economic development incentives to encourage more green industries to come to Watertown. • Local Businesses (4.13): 1 frequently shop at local businesses. • Social Ties (3.55): 1 feel connected to my neighbors and feel I could ask them for help if needed. • Youth (4.34): We need to increase the opportunities for Watertown youth to learn about sustainability and energy. uT KMLUNDGREN ASSOCIATES INC. Customized Solutions far the Community You Want SURVEY RESULTS: A The graphs below show the distribution of strongly disagree (1 ) to strongly agree (5). The top ranked result based on total averages (in parentheses) for Energy was New Construction. The graph below shows the distribution of votes. Energy 160 140 120 100 ■ 1 2 80 03 60 4 5 40 20 0 NJ M M Clean Electricity Energy Efficiency Existing Buildings New Construction Rooftop Solar • Clean Electricity (4.17): 1 am aware of the Participant Comments Watertown Electricity Choice program that allows V11 riedvy • . residents to opt in for a 100% renewable energy which keep out - cold in winter. supply. We turn down our thermostat • Energy Efficiency (4.02) : I have taken all the night. We use coldwater washing machine, where steps I know to in my home to reduce my energy V L,ossible." use. • Existing Building Upgrades (4.60): Watertown "As a renter, I feel like there is not should encourage building renovations to include . . much that I can . . However, energy efficiency upgrades with small business I have madelight-bulbs grants or no-interest loans. are energyand - New Construction (4.72): 1 would support a hooked up as many outlets as policy for new construction in Watertown to be possible to a smart home device - more energy efficient. that helps to shut things o o have our remembering heat/AC • Rooftop Solar (4.63): 1 support the installation of _ timer solar panels on Watertown homes. automatically turn-off at certain eiit KL/� ASS LUNDGREN ASSOCIATES INC. Customized Solutions far the Community You Want SURVEY RESULTS: A The graphs below show the distribution of strongly disagree (1 ) to strongly agree (5). The top ranked result based on total averages (in parentheses) for Infrastructure was Green Infrastructure. The graph below shows the distribution of votes. Infrastructure 140 t i I 120 i 100 ■1 80 2 i 60 ■3 T i 4 I T 5 40 20 0 Charging Stations Green Buildings Green Infrastructure Impervious Surface • Electric Charging Stations (2.71): There are enough electric vehicle charging stations around town for people with an electric vehicle or for those who wish to buy one. • Green Buildings (4.54): Watertown should promote the development of green buildings to reduce community wide energy and water use, and promote sustainable, healthy materials. Green Infrastructure (4.58): 1 support the use of green infrastructure practices, like porous pavers, bioswales, and rain gardens that help with a resilient habitat, flood protection, and cleaner air and water. • Impervious Surfaces (3.97): 1 would be willing to reduce the amount of impervious surface around my home to help reduce the urban heat island effect. � KMLUNDGREN KL ASSOCIATES INC. Customized Solutions far the Community You Want SURVEY RESULTS: _; J The graphs below show the distribution of strongly disagree (1) to strongly agree (5). The top ranked result based on total averages (in parentheses) for Natural Resources was Water Quality. The graph below shows the distribution of votes. Natural Resources 200 180 160 140 1 ■1 120 t 2 100 t ■3 4 80 1 T 5 60 T_ 40 I T T 20 T 0 w Air Quality Open Space Parks Tree Canopy Water Quality • Air Quality (4.29): Air quality and public health motivates me to reduce my carbon footprint. • Open Space (4.74): 1 support Watertown acquiring and protecting land for open space. • Parks (4.46): 1 actively use Watertown's parks and trails. • Tree Canopy (4.67): 1 believe there is a need to protect and expand Watertown's tree canopy. Water Quality (4.80): 1 support the Town protecting our wetlands and buffer zones to enhance our ecology and resilience to extreme weather. AKLM- A� K LUNDGREN ASSOCIATFS, INC. Customized So]utio ns tar the Community Ymz Want SURVEY RESULTS: A The graphs below show the distribution of strongly disagree (1 ) to strongly agree (5). The top ranked result based on total averages (in parentheses) for Preparedness was Emergency Notifications. The graph below shows the distribution of votes. Preparedness 70 , 60 t 50 40 ■1 2 30 ■3 i 4 20 + 5 i 10 t ' Ot Businesses Emergency Emergency Shelter Preparedness Routine Notifications Notifications Businesses (2.51): 1 know of Watertown businesses that have been affected by extreme weather events. y Emergency Notifications (3.79): 1 am signed up for WatertownALERT, the Town's emergency notification system. • Emergency Shelter (2.20): 1 know where I can go for shelter in case of an emergency. • Preparedness (3.30): 1 have what I need to survive 72 hours without power in my home. • Routine Notifications (3.50): 1 receive helpful information through the Town's Notify Me communication system. uT KMLUNDGREN ASSOCIATES INC. Customized Solutions far the Community You Want SURVEY RESULTS: A The graphs below show the distribution of strongly disagree (1 ) to strongly agree (5). The top ranked result based on total averages (in parentheses) for Transportation was Electric Vehicles. The graph below shows the distribution of votes. Transportation 100 90 80 70 60 01 2 50 03 40 4 30 5 20 10 0 Biking Complete Streets Electric Vehicles Public Transit Walking • Biking (2.55): The existing biking infrastructure (lanes, paths, etc.) in Watertown makes me feel I can get around safely by bike. • Complete Streets (2.39): Roads in Watertown are safe and well- designed for pedestrians, bikers, and other multimodal forms of transportation. Electric Vehicles (3.78): 1 would consider buying or leasing an electric vehicle as my next car. Public Transit (2.76): The local public transit options meet my needs. Walking (3.55): 1 walk to work or to do an errand at least three times a week. KMLUNDGREN KL ASSOCIATES INC. Customized Solutions far the Community You Want SURVEY RESULTS: A The graphs below show the distribution of strongly disagree (1 ) to strongly agree (5). The top ranked result based on total averages (in parentheses) for Waste was Plastics. The graph below shows the distribution of votes. Waste 120 100 80 - ■1 2 60 ■3 P 4 40 5 20 0 Composting Consumption Hazardous Material Plastics Recycling Composting (3.74): 1 would be willing Participant Comments to pay for curbside pickup of food waste for composting. member of our local Consumption (4.18): 1 actively seek to Nothing group and have gotten reduce my consumption and some items there thathave purchasing of non-essential items. otherwise needed to buy." Hazardous Material (3.73): 1 am aware that I can bring hazardous household not products to the Regional Minuteman about, but I do know that not being sur_ generally create either less Facility for disposal. recycling . . . up Plastics (4.45): 1 actively strive to the stream. Clear guidelines reduce my use of single-use plastics, household would probably like straws and plastic cling wrap. streamline the recycling process ' encourage people to expand Recycling 4.00: 1 know what can andthey'verecyc been cannot be recycled in Watertown. ) KIM LUNDGREN 10 K ASSOCIATES INC. Customized Solutions far the Community You Want SURVEY RESULTS: In your opinion, how should Watertown distribute sustainability and resiliency funds? (number of coins/chips dropped into a category) 300 252 250 226 200 189 150 123 111 100 95 69 73 50 0 Emergency Energy Infrastructure Expansion of Tree Canopy Renewable Composting Green Preparedness Efficiency Upgrades Public Transit Protection Energy Programs Infrastructure Campaign Rebates A What to do 0 Next Task • In your opinion, how Emergency Energy Infrastructure Expansion of should Watertown Preparedness Efficiency Upgrades Public Transit distribute sustainability Campaign Rebates and resiliency funds? liliiiR Drag corns to invest in the categories you prefer. 4 &0 1 5 1 1 Tree Canopy Renewable Composting Green Protection Energy Programs Infrastructure < a Q 6 5 5 5 1 uT' KIM LUNDGREN ASSOCIATES INC. Customized Solutions far the Community You Want Age of Participants Under 18 18-24 1% 1% 75 or olINr 25-34 ° 12% 65-74 23% 35-44 18% ;45-�55-64 22% Based on 287 reporting respondents Race/Ethnicity ple AsianPacific Islander Hispanic Otheniciti s Black or African P Ethnicities 3% American 1% 6% 1% Watertown Community Profile • White — 78% • Asian — 8.1% • Hispanic or Latino — 9.4% • Black/African American- 2.0% • Other— 1.0% • Multiple Ethnicities- 1.4% Source:2013-2017 American Community Survey 5-year Estimates White or Caucasian 89% Based on 276 reporting respondent KIM LUNDGREN 12 s • ASSOCIATES INC. Customized Solutions far the Community You Want DEMOGRAPHICS* Housing Status Group housing 1% Renter 21 0 4R Other 1% Live with friends or family 2% Homeowner 75% Based on 290 reporting respondents Watertown Housing Tenure • Owner-Occupied Housing- 52.2% • Renter-Occupied Housing- 47.8% Source: 2013-2017 American Community Survey 5- year Estimates TIaM LUNDGREN 13 A ASSOCIATES INC. Co stomized Solutions far the Community You Want