HomeMy Public PortalAbout2018-12-4 -10-16 EDP-PW Energy Master Plan /i63o
Watertown Town Council
Administration Building
149 Main Street
p�Ce co
Watertown, MA 02472
ELECTED Phone: 617-972-6470
OFFICIALS:
Mark S.Sideris, Committee on Public Works and
Council President Committee on Economic Development and Planning
Vincent J.Piccirilli,Jr., Meetings: October 16 and December 4, 2018
Vice President& Report: January 8, 2019
District C Councilor
The Joint Committees convened at 7:30 pm on Monday October 22, 2018 in the Louis P.
Caroline Bays Councilor At Large Andrews Upper Conference Room. Present were Public Works Committee members
Vincent Piccirilli, chair; Anthony Palomba, vice chair; and Kenneth Woodland,
Anthony J.Donato, secretary and Economic Development and Planning Committee members Kenneth
Councilor At Large Woodland, chair; Lisa Feltner,vice chair; and Vincent Piccirilli, secretary. Staff present
Susan G.Falkoff, were Steven Magoon,Assistant Town Manager/Director of Community Development
Councilor At Large and Planning; and Ed Lewis, Energy Manager. Also present were Councilor Susan
Anthony Palomba, Falkoff, members of the Watertown Environment& Energy Efficiency Committee, and
Councilor At Large members of the public (see sign-in sheet Attachment A).
Angeline B.Kncilor , The purpose of the meeting was to develop a recommendation for the Town Council on
District A Councilor p� g p
how to move forward with the Comprehensive Plan Chapter 10 Goal IA, "Consider
Lisa J.Feltner, Developing a Climate Action or Energy Master Plan and Adopt it as an Addendum to
District B Councilor the Watertown Comprehensive Plan."
Kenneth M.Woodland,
District D Councilor A proposal from the Watertown Environment and Energy Efficiency Committee
(WE3C)was presented to the Joint Committees. The proposal recommended that
Watertown commit to the development of a master plan and that it be called the
"Watertown Climate and Energy Master Plan." (See Attachment B).
In order to develop an effective "Climate and Energy Master Plan,"Watertown needs information
regarding both mitigation and adaptation challenges. To that end, the proposal suggested moving
forward with:
1. A Green House Gas (GHG) Inventory and Ener2v Assessment that would collect and
analyze data on sources of GHG emissions in Watertown including housing, businesses,
municipal buildings and activities, and transportation; and
2. A Climate Chance Vulnerabilitv Assessment that would involve data gathering on
Watertown's assets in terms of its residents, topography, landscape, infrastructure,
municipal services, businesses, and transportation.
The Town would need to hire a consultant to collect the information and develop recommendations
as described above. The report would go to WE3C for consideration and would include Town
Council and staff assistance in its review and for the potential implementation of any
recommendations. Other assessments in surrounding communities have taken months to years to
complete and the cost range can vary but generally would be expected to be in the tens of thousands
of dollars (there may also be grant funding available from the State). It was also mentioned to
include the public throughout the process as much as possible.
Page 1 of 2
Joint Committees on Public Works and Economic Development&Planning Report January 8,2019
The Joint Committees then discussed a resolution that was drafted by Watertown Faces Climate
Change and endorsed as revised by WEX (see Attachment C). The Joint Committees discussed
whether or not the full Town Council should move forward with the resolution and if so whether or
not the language would need to be amended.
Councilor Palomba made a motion, seconded by Councilor Feltner, that the Joint Committees move
forward with a resolution on this topic for consideration by the full Town Council. The vote was 3-
1 with Councilor Woodland voting in opposition. Councilor Palomba made a motion, seconded by
Councilor Feltner,that the proposed resolution be amended by Councilor Piccirilli to reflect the
Joint Committees discussion and brought back to the Joint Committees for further consideration
and review. The vote was 3-1 with Councilor Woodland voting in opposition.
4 ACTION ITEM: Councilor Woodland made a motion, seconded by Councilor Feltner, that the
full Town Council endorses the WE3C recommendations for a"Climate and Energy Master
Plan", as presented, and requests the administration identify potential consultants for the
assessments, develop one or more Requests for Proposals, and identify a funding source, to be
brought forward for Town Council consideration. The motion passed 4-0.
The meeting adjourned at 9:05 pm.
The Joint Committees reconvened at 6:00 pm on Tuesday December 4, 2018 in the Richard E.
Mastrangelo Council Chamber. Present were Committee members Mr. Piccirilli, Mr. Palomba, Mr.
Woodland, and Ms. Feltner. Staff present were Mr. Magoon and Mr. Lewis. Also present were
Council President Mark Sideris, Councilor Caroline Bays, members of the Watertown Environment
& Energy Efficiency Committee, and members of the public (see sign-in sheet Attachment D)
The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the revised resolution which was tasked to Councilor
Piccirilli.
The updates to the resolution included some grammatical changes, adding language from relevant
authorities concerning the issue of renewable energy and refining Watertown specific aspirations at
the end of the resolution. Committee members and the public then spoke generally in favor of the
resolution. It was mentioned that though the resolution does not mandate specific renewable goals
it does set a framework to help guide Town policy moving forward. The Committee agreed to
amend some language and to update the resolution to include the Annual National Climate
Assessment released in November.
4 ACTION ITEM: Councilor Palomba made a motion, seconded by Councilor Feltner, that the
full Town Council approve the amended resolution. The motion passed 4-0.
The meeting adjourned at 6:45 pm.
Report prepared by Kenneth Woodland.
Attachment A: Sign-In Sheet October 22, 2018
Attachment B: WEX Proposal for Watertown Climate and Energy Master Plan, July 2018
Attachment C: WE3C Proposed Resolution 10/22/18
Attachment D: Sign-In Sheet December 4, 2018
Attachment E: Draft Resolution for a Transition to 100% Renewable Energy- December 4, 2018
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WE3C proposal for Watertown Climate and Energy Master Plan
The Watertown Comprehensive Plan,adopted in 2015,includes a recommendation that the
Town"Consider developing a Climate Action or Energy Master Plan and adopt it as an
addendum to the Watertown Comprehensive Plan." We recommend that Watertown
commit to the development of such a plan and suggest it be called the"Watertown Climate
and Energy Master Plan."
The effects of climate change are already apparent and are predicted to increase in severity
over time.These effects are on a global,national and local level.Along with every other
national,state and local government,Watertown has a moral imperative to address its
contribution to climate change. There are also economic and public health imperatives for
careful planning regarding climate effects.
It is clear from projections that Watertown as a community will be increasingly affected by
climate change. Significant impacts to daily life in Watertown are to be expected. Local
impacts are predicted to include increased flooding from increased precipitation and
storms,and increased temperatures. Temperature change in the U.S.is predicted to be
greatest in the Northeast,including summer heat waves of much greater duration. These
climate change effects are projected to occur regardless of reductions in greenhouse gas
(GHG) emissions. The severity of effects,however,will be significantly influenced by local,
regional,national and international mitigation efforts,especially in the longer term.
Broadly speaking,Watertown faces two challenges: mitigation and adaptation. On-going
mitigation efforts in reduction of GHG emissions are critically important and require careful
assessment of costs and benefits in order to be as effective as possible. Meanwhile,
coordinated planning is also crucial for successful adaptation to the expected range of
coming climate impacts on quality of life for Watertown residents. This includes impacts on
Watertown residents'health and property as well as on town infrastructure,services,and
environment.
In order to develop an effective Climate and Energy Master Plan,Watertown needs
information regarding both mitigation and adaptation challenges. Such information would
include:
• A Green House Gas (GHGI Inventory and Enerev Assessment would collect and
analyze data on sources of GHG emissions in Watertown including housing,
businesses,municipal buildings and activities,and transportation. It would also
make best estimates of current and future energy needs and available resources.
Using this information,mitigation planning could be optimized. It should be noted
that the Town,in its municipal buildings and operations,has accomplished
significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and is working toward its
recommended goal of reducing emissions from 2010 levels by 20%by 2020. This,if
achieved,will be a major accomplishment. Yet a much larger challenge looms in the
state goal of 80%reduction from 1990 levels by 2050. As well,the challenge of
reducing GHG emissions beyond municipal to the private sector has been a focus of
Town efforts including encouraging home weatherization,private roof-top solar
installations and,recently,the Town's endorsement of Watertown Electricity
Choice,a community aggregation program that will offer town residents the option
of greener electricity. This is a beginning,but a comprehensive inventory will allow
for much more comprehensive planning.
• A Climate Change Vulnerabilitv Assessment would involve data gathering on
Watertown's assets in terms of its residents,topography,landscape,infrastructure,
municipal services,businesses,and transportation.For planning,local and regional
climate projections for both nearer-term and longer-term horizons have been
utilized,typically focusing on the years 2030 and 2070. The vulnerability of
Watertown's assets to climate change would make use of information from regional
climate change studies,local area temperature projections, FEMA flood maps,area
storm projections and from detailed analysis of local conditions including
population distribution and growth patterns,business types and locations,
topography,tree canopy,permeable and impermeable surfaces and drainage
systems,buildings,infrastructure,transportation,and locations of critical services.
Information would be gathered from town resources such as persons and boards
involved in town planning including the DPW, Board of Health, Police and Fire
Depts, Planning Board,Conservation Commission,Parks and Recreation,Tree
Warden,Stormwater Committee,Transportation Planner, Energy Manager,
Facilities Manager,School Dept,and Elder Services. In addition,information would
be gathered from private resources including religious,business,and civic
organizations. Gathered information would enable projection of impacts in 2030
and 2070 to town growth,residents'health and quality of life,housing and other
buildings,emergency needs,transportation,infrastructure,energy supply,water
and sewage systems,trees and green space.
Using this information the Town would develop a Climate and Energy Master Plan with
priorities and strategies driven by the assessments. The Plan would include the
development of specific goals in multiple areas,strategies for monitoring progress toward
such goals,and would build in flexibility for adjustments to changing conditions. The
Climate and Energy Master Plan also would seek to coordinate with plans developed by
adjacent communities and regional entities such as the Metropolitan Area Planning Council
while maintaining its focus on the specific needs and circumstances of Watertown and its
residents.
The scope and depth of such a project is very large. Therefore,we propose that the Town
hire a consultant or consultants to collect data as described above and then develop
recommendations. Such recommendations would be formulated into a Climate and Energy
Master Plan suitable to be adopted as an Addendum to the Watertown Comprehensive Plan.
The WE3C and Town Energy Manager would be involved in an advisory role throughout the
process and would review all recommendations with the Town Council Subcommittees on
Public Works and Economic Development and Planning before presenting them to the
Town Manager and Town Council.
July 2018
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Resolution for the Town of Watertown, Massachusetts, in
support of the transition to 100% renewable energy
"WHEREAS, 971110 of published climate scientists agree that human
activity is responsible for global warming ,, and
"WHEREAS, we understand that global warming profoundly threatens
human health, economic activity, and the viability and stability of the
Earth's ecosystems and
WHEREAS, communities in Massachusetts and around the world are
already experiencing climate change and in many cases enduring its
adverse impacts ,; and
WHEREAS, clean energy production brings many benefits to
Massachusetts, including reducing pollution, creating new clean energy
jobs, and retaining more of our energy dollars in the local economy ,,;
and
WHEREAS, the leading causes of greenhouse gas emissions in
Massachusetts are: 39% transportation, 26% residential, 19%
commercial and 13% industrial all areas must be addressed; and
WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Area Planning Council, the planning
agency that serves Metropolitan Boston, is urging all 101 cities and
towns in the reeion to move to 100% renewable energv6; and
WHEREAS, many municipalities in Massachusetts are progressing
toward 100% renewable enere-w, including Arlington, Melrose, Auburn,
Boston, Cambridge, Newton, and Holyoke, and prominent American
companies, including Biogen, Google. Amazon. Johnson & Johnson,
Facebook. Avole. and Microsoft, now follow business models committed
to 100% renewable energy a; and
WHEREAS, the Town of Watertown, appreciating the threat of climate
change, has already taken significant steps to become energy efficient,
reduce carbon emissions and promote clean energy
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Council of
Watertown commits to a goal of 100% renewable municipal electricity
by 2035, and100% renewable m ro
icipal heat and transportation by
2050.
!6
LET IT BE FURTHER RESOLVED that the Town Council of Watertown
will encourage and, when feasible, provide incentives for residents,
commercial and transportation sectors to transition to 100% energy by
2050. TO
The Town Council agrees to strongly consider taking concrete and
aggressive steps to achieve that goal by:
• Exploring the construction of Netfero municipal buildings by
seeking consultation from green energy designers while new
buildings are in the planning process6be use we know that
schools have high enerQv uses, paying par 'cular attention to the
rehabilitation and construction of schools, here the Netfero and
0-emissions movement has been zainM trac 'on m.
• Explore and adopt best transportation practices, including
providing municipal shuttles, establishing safe and extensive bike
lanes, contracting for the installation of electric vehicle charging
stations, continuing to purchase municipal electric vehicles,
providing municipal spaces for Z�Car and other solutions to
Single Occupancy vehicle trips made by Watertown residents or
workers.
• Encourage town-wide participation in Mass Save audits,
Community Choice Aggregation and through Design Guidelines
and TMA projects.
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Watertown officials and staff
will consider all municipal decisions in light of whether they will bring
the Town and its residents, businesses, and institutions closer to 100%
renewable energy, including avoiding actions that could unnecessarily
delay the transition to 100% renewable energy;
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That the Town Manager report
back to the Council on the status of progress toward 100% renewable
energy at least once a year.
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Draft for Discussion 12/4/18
Town of Watertown supports a Transition to 100% Renewable Energy
WHEREAS, global warming threatens human health, economic activity, and the stability of the Earth's
ecosystems, with communities in Massachusetts already experiencing its adverse impacts; and
WHEREAS, clean energy production brings many benefits to Massachusetts, by reducing pollution, creating
new clean energy jobs, and retaining more of our energy dollars in the local economy; and
WHEREAS, according to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, multiple studies published in
peer-reviewed scientific journals show that 97 percent or more of actively publishing climate scientists agree
that climate-warming trends over the past century are extremely likely due to human activities; and
WHEREAS, the Paris Agreement under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change was
adopted by consensus on December 12, 2015 and brings all nations into a common cause to undertake take
ambitious efforts to combat climate change and adapt to its effects, with each country to determine,plan, and
regularly report on the contribution that it undertakes to mitigate global warming; and
WHEREAS, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts passed the Global Warming Solutions Act, Chapter 298 of
the Acts of 2008, which requires a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the state to 10%-25%below 1990
levels by 2020 and to 80%below 1990 levels by 2050; and also passed the Green Jobs Act, Chapter 307 of the
Acts of 2008, to support the growth of a clean energy technology industry within the state; and
WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Area Planning Council, of which Watertown is a member, is urging all 101
member cities and towns to move to 100%renewable energy, and is providing technical and policy assistance
for municipalities to set goals and undertake a holistic approach to their climate planning; and
WHEREAS, the Watertown Comprehensive Plan was adopted in June 2015 with a vision for our future, and
includes Goal I in Chapter 10: "Consider developing a Climate Action or Energy Master Plan and adopt it as
an addendum to the Watertown Comprehensive Plan".
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: That the Town Council of the City Known as the Town of Watertown
commits to aspirational goals of using 100%renewable energy for municipal electricity by 2035, and using
100%renewable energy for municipal heating and municipal transportation by 2050; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
1. That the Town of Watertown undertake a public process to develop and adopt a Climate and Energy
Master Plan; and to use this plan to refine these renewable energy goals; and to develop additional goals
and objectives for Watertown to meet, including Massachusetts' target reduction of greenhouse gas
emissions of at least 80%below 1990 levels by 2050; and
2. That the Town Council of Watertown encourages non-municipal residential, commercial, and
transportation sectors in Watertown commit to a transition to 100%renewable energy by 2050; and
3. That the Town Manager provide an annual report to the Town Council on the progress toward a
transition to 100% renewable energy, for both municipal and non-municipal uses.