Brookline adopts municipal decarbonization roadmap and an EV‑first fleet policy to qualify for state Climate Leaders funding
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Summary
The Select Board voted to adopt a municipal decarbonization roadmap and a fleet electrification policy that prioritizes zero‑emission vehicles where feasible (with exemptions for emergency and snow‑response vehicles). Staff said the roadmap covers 41 town buildings (22 prioritized) and noted the fleet has risen from 1 to 34 fully electric vehicles since 2022.
The Brookline Select Board voted Dec. 16 to adopt a municipal decarbonization roadmap and a fleet management electrification policy, moves intended to qualify the town for the Massachusetts Climate Leaders Program and make it eligible for state grants and technical assistance.
Director of Sustainability Alexandra Vecchio told the board the Climate Leaders Program requires communities to adopt an EV‑first procurement policy and a municipal decarbonization roadmap as part of a six‑point application. Vecchio said Brookline already meets several requirements and that the remaining items are the roadmap and the fleet policy.
Vecchio said Brookline’s municipal fleet is about 390 vehicles (excluding fire trucks) and that the town has added fully electric options rapidly: “In 2022, Brookline had only 1 fully electric vehicle. And now today, we have 34 fully electric vehicles in our fleet,” she said, noting hybrids and a policy hierarchy that prioritizes fully electric purchases where operationally feasible and cost‑effective.
Deputy Director Shelly Dean summarized the roadmap’s technical approach: it analyzes 41 town‑owned buildings (the top 22 represent roughly 85% of municipal building emissions) and projects replacement and retrofit pathways timed to equipment useful life. The roadmap is high level by design; engineering and financial studies would follow and the state’s program provides technical assistance and potential grants to support implementation.
Board members asked about costs and grant funding. Vecchio said the program can make the town eligible for state grant funding and technical assistance, and staff described a plan to update the inventory and roadmap on a three‑year cycle. The board voted to adopt both the decarbonization roadmap and the fleet electrification and vehicle replacement policy.