Mashpee Town Meeting Approves Solar Energy for Senior Center

Mashpee Town Meeting Approves Solar Energy for Senior Center

Board of Selectmen vote to take no position 4-1; voters pass petition article 162-72

MASHPEE - Voters Monday night moved Mashpee into the renewable energy future by approving a $50,000 Article to install a solar energy system onto the Mashpee Senior Center.

Article 16 - Mashpee Warrants 

To see if the Town will vote to appropriate or borrow $50,000 for the installation of a solar energy system on the Mashpee Senior Center, or take any other action relating thereto. Submitted by Petition

The Board of Selectmen voted to take no position by a vote of 4-1. Finance Committee recommends Article 16 be indefinitely postponed and the article be referred to the Planning and Construction Committee for its review and recommendation by a vote of 5-0.

Liz Argo of Solarwrights made a powerpoint presentation that showed that the Senior Center was a suitable building and clarified the rebate program offered by the MA Technology Collaborative.  Most of the speakers supported the Article as a way to save money on future energy costs, help to reduce greenhouse emissions that are causing climate change, and for the Town to take a "symbolic" first step.

"I love this Town", said Peter White, the lead petitioner of the Article.  "The voters at Town Meeting are well informed and they have vision!"

The Town Of Yarmouth was the first to approve $50,000 for the initiative last year, and it is now benefiting from the 10.5 kW solar photovoltaic system installed on Town Hall - and they already have plans to expand it.

A number of towns this year are considering petitioned solar energy articles brought forward by a grassroots coalition called Green Energy Towns (GET), which grew from a Solarize Our Towns effort last year.  Their goal is to mobilize voters to take action that encourages their towns to develop renewable energy.

For more information, contact Peter White (508-395-5984).

Release courtesy of Peter White.