North Brookfield signs Mass Energy Insight authorization to join regional energy-efficiency grant

The North Brookfield Board voted Sept. 9 to sign an authorization letter enabling Mass Energy Insight (MEI) access as part of a regional, grant-funded energy-efficiency program that covers North Brookfield and three neighboring towns. The authorization matters because the MEI evaluation will let the town and the contracted engineering firm summarize historic energy consumption, identify low-cost efficiency measures and develop a multi-year decarbonization and energy-efficiency plan for municipal buildings, beginning with the school department’s large facilities. Roger Brosse, who presented the item, described MEI as a Department of Energy Resources-supported program that aggregates account-level consumption data and feeds into Mass Save and other energy-efficiency offerings. "MEI is Mass Energy Insight. It's a program for energy efficiency that, is processed through the Department of Energy Resources," Brosse said. He said the regional effort is funded by a grant and administered by the Montachusett Regional Planning Commission with Weston & Sampson serving as the energy-efficiency coordinator for the four participating towns. Brosse told the board the program carries no cost or obligation for North Brookfield. He said the regional contract with Weston & Sampson is $50,000 per year for three years and that the grant-funded effort runs through Dec. 31, 2027. The work will begin with the school buildings, which Brosse said represent the largest municipal energy users, and will next evaluate other facilities such as the water treatment plant and police department. The presentation included examples of straightforward upgrades, such as converting fluorescent fixtures to LED. A board member asked whether MEI provides building-level consumption breakdowns; Brosse replied that the MEI authorization will give the town access to that information and that Weston & Sampson will survey town buildings and provide recommendations. Board members moved to sign the MEI authorization letter; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote with all present answering "aye." The authorization does not obligate the town to specific projects or spending; any recommended retrofit or conversion would be brought back for separate approval and budgeting. The board described the program as a "positive" step that could reduce departmental operating costs if the recommended upgrades are implemented.