Longmeadow is one of 13 communities in Massachusetts recently named Green Communities.
LONGMEADOW — After being designated a Green Community last month, Longmeadow is now eligible for a $155,000 grant from the state Department of Energy Resources.
"This was a tremendous victory for the town not only in terms of earning the designation, but what that means moving forward in regards to our energy consumption and cost," said Town Manger Stephen Crane.
On Monday, Crane presented the Select Board with an update on a grant application that must be submitted by Jan. 29.
"The grant is a one time thing, but we are hoping it will lead to additional opportunities for funding down the line," he said.
In order to become a Green Community, towns must do several things including adopting zoning changes that would allow the construction of alternative energy sources in the community, developing a plan to reduce energy consumption by 20 percent and purchasing fuel-efficient vehicles when possible, among other things.
Crane said there is an Energy Reduction Plan in place with several projects that could qualify for the grant.
"We are looking to leverage the $155,000 to either the greatest impact of energy savings or possible overall cost savings to the town," he said.
Select Board member Mark Gold questioned the list, saying there was at least one project that was not on the list that should have been. Gold was referring to a project discussed several years ago to make the football field lights more energy efficient with a computer program.
"This has a big impact because it throws off our peak energy usage for the entire town," he said. "If an item like this is not on the list, then I question the validity of the list."
Crane said the project list is thorough and a lot of work has been put into it.
A study was done in 2010 which the building and maintenance department has been using to update the town's energy systems, he said.
The board will get any project suggestions to Crane as soon as possible and will continue to discuss the application again during its next meeting on Jan. 21.