Stretch Energy not put to vote

Date: 10/12/2010

Oct. 11, 2010

By Chris Maza

Reminder Assistant Editor



EAST LONGMEADOW -- No action was taken on the long-anticipated warrant article regarding the Stretch Energy Code, which the Board of Selectmen decided not to pursue during their meeting conducted prior to the Sept. 27 Special Town Meeting.

According to Selectman James Driscoll, the decision was made when bylaw changes associated with the Stretch Energy Code were not supported by the Planning Board.

"The Stretch Energy Code could certainly stand on its own, but without the bylaws, the town would not be able to be considered a 'green' community," Driscoll explained.

The Green Community Act offers financial benefits in the form of grants to towns that come into compliance with the act's requirements, which includes the Stretch Energy Code, in addition to bylaws involving as-of-right sighting for renewable energy generating facilities, establishing a baseline that would save the town 20 percent on energy and purchasing fuel-efficient town vehicles.

Town moderator James Shields said the bylaw changes were identical to the ones brought before the annual town meeting and were voted down. He continued by saying that, according to Massachusetts law, those articles cannot be brought back before a town meeting for two years, unless it is at the Planning Board's recommendation.

"We felt that, on its own, without the financial benefits, it was not in the town's best interest financially to pursue Stretch Energy," Driscoll said. "I think it was a mistake on [the Planning Board's] part."

In addition to these articles, voters at the meeting elected to allow a transfer of $400,000 to be used for tax relief for town residents.

The $400,000 would result in a reduction of property taxes of 20 cents per thousand.

Even with the reduction, taxes are expected to increase. According to Town Accountant Thomas Caliento, while actual figures for next year's taxes have not yet been calculated, he estimated that with the relief, the tax rate would rise to $17.64 per thousand and $17.84 without it. Current property tax rates sit at $17.36.