By KENNEDY GRIFFIN

(Leyden, MA) At an upcoming special Town Meeting on March 20th, Leyden residents will be voting on articles including adopting the Stretch Code that will make the town eligible for Green Communities Designation and access to grants and state funding for critical projects.

As a Green Community, Massachusetts communities can apply for various grants and state funding opportunities. In 2022, Ashfield was granted over $140,000 “to fund energy conservation measures in municipal facilities.” Bernardston received a similar grant in 2015. Last year, Buckland received $5,00o toward funding a hybrid police vehicle.

If voted in, Leyden will join 300 other towns in Massachusetts that have adopted the Stretch Code which sets higher standards for new construction than the current Base Building Energy Code.

Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources says, “The Stretch Code, which emphasizes energy performance, as opposed to prescriptive requirements, is designed to result in cost-effective construction that is more energy efficient than that built to the “base” energy code.”

Though the Stretch Code is not the most stringent standard for construction. There is a higher standard, a Stretch Code or “Net Zero” Code.

Leyden residents will also be voting on a Solar Bylaw that would set regulations for proposed large solar projects.

Highlights of the Solar Bylaw from the Town of Leyden:

  • Installations (residential exempted) up to 1 acre are allowed with a site plan review by the planning board if they meet strict standards described in the bylaw in detail.
  • Projects between 1 and 5 acres must seek and be granted a Special Permit from the planning board, in addition to meeting the site review standards.
  • Projects greater that 5 acres are not allowed.
  • This bylaw satisfies a requirement for Green Communities Designation.

The new regulations would not impact residential solar projects.

A public hearing is set for next Monday, March 1st at 6 p.m. to ask questions and discuss these articles. In attendance will be Chris Mason from the Massachusetts DOER along with the Planning Board and Solar Planning Committee. Find more information on these warrant articles, the public hearing, and the special Town Meeting on the Town of Leyden website.