Clean Energy committee presses for measurable metrics from Community First Partnership Grant

Chelmsford’s Clean Energy and Sustainability Committee on Dec. 9 asked for clearer, regular metrics from the Community First Partnership (CFP) Grant so the town can track program outcomes and hold the program accountable.

Committee member Badhri said the committee should invite the CFP liaison for Chelmsford to present metrics and outcome goals. He noted the program began serving Chelmsford and Billerica about six months ago and said the committee needs a dashboard or similar tool to monitor progress over time. Peter reported that the official count of activities conducted to date is about 58 but added that the program is not keeping as many detailed records as the committee would like and that there is a lag in the data the program collects.

Bern said the program is “going well” in Chelmsford and added that Chelmsford recently signed a memorandum of understanding for the program; he said Billerica has not yet signed, which is slowing the program’s rollout there. Jackie proposed that the committee compile a list of specific metrics it wants to see and then ask the CFP program to explain which metrics it can provide and why some are not tracked. Bern and Peter supported that approach and the committee agreed to begin drafting the list for the next meeting.

The committee did not record any formal vote on the request during the meeting. Next steps recorded in the minutes were to draft the metrics list and invite the CFP liaison to present at a future meeting so members can review outcome targets and data availability.

The committee adjourned at 6:00 PM.