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Mr. Lemansky urges Charlton to rescind 2016 stretch energy code, citing higher upfront costs
Summary
At the April 1 Planning Board meeting, resident Mr. Lemansky read a citizen petition asking the town to rescind the 2016 stretch energy code, arguing it raises upfront building costs, increases inspection and design requirements, and pressures electrification that some homeowners cannot afford.
Mr. Lemansky presented a citizens petition asking the Town of Charlton to vote at town meeting to rescind the stretch energy code the town adopted in 2016, saying the code raises upfront building costs and narrows construction options for small builders and homeowners.
"The stretch code doesn't make building [a house] impossible but it shifts construction from a standard practice to a higher performance building," Mr. Lemansky told the planning board, and he said that the state incentive that accompanied the 2016 adoption is no longer sufficiently compensating towns. He cited HERS-inspector fees that he said have risen from roughly $1,300 to more than $2,000 and estimated extra construction costs of "between $8,000 and $20,000 per home." He also described added requirements such as blower-door testing, detailed insulation and flashing work, and mechanical ventilation systems that increase both installation and maintenance costs.
Board members and staff asked questions during an extended exchange about payback periods, heat-pump performance, and whether the town or homeowners receive any direct financial benefit. Planning staff noted the state previously offered incentives tied to the Green Communities program; Mr. Lemansky said those incentives did not eliminate the strain on affordability for smaller builders.
The board emphasized it is not required to take a formal position on the petition and that individual members may express their views at annual town meeting. The petition, as read into the record, asks the town to rescind the longer stretch energy code (chapter 195) and return to the base energy code; it will appear as a warrant matter for Town Meeting process and timing.
Next steps: the petition will be placed on the appropriate warrant for consideration at town meeting. The planning board did not vote on the petition at this meeting.
