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Needham secures technical assistance for shelter solar and drinking‑water risk assessment; Green Communities application also submitted
Summary
Committee members announced Department of Energy Resources technical assistance for a solar-plus-storage feasibility study at the Rosemary shelter, selection for the EPA SWIFt drinking-water resilience program, and that the Town submitted a Green Communities application focused on LED upgrades and a possible retro‑commissioning pilot.
Town staff told the Climate Action Committee that the Town was selected for technical assistance from the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources to study adding solar and battery energy storage at Rosemary, one of the Town’s designated emergency shelters. The award covers pre‑construction feasibility services (no direct construction funding): the project team held a kickoff and plans to complete the study by July. If the feasibility analysis supports it, the Town may apply to the program’s competitive construction track in August.
A staff member said the Rosemary site was prioritized because it already has an emergency generator and the state program emphasizes resiliency and shelters. Committee members emphasized that the feasibility work will determine costs and return‑on‑investment; capital costs are not yet known and will be reported in the study.
Separately, staff reported the Town’s selection for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s SWIFt (Strengthening Water Infrastructure for Tomorrow) technical‑assistance program to develop a drinking‑water risk assessment and resiliency recommendations, with connections to potential federal financing for implementation.
Committee staff also said the Town’s Green Communities application was due Friday; the primary proposed project is LED lighting upgrades at High Rock, with a possible additional retro‑commissioning/building‑monitoring pilot at the public safety complex to investigate anomalous gas and electric data.
Staff invited committee members to incorporate the outcomes of these technical‑assistance efforts into future recommendations; the committee will monitor study results and any opportunities to apply for construction funding.
