(1 seat available for 3 year term - Jeff)
(1 seat available for 2 year term - Michael)
The Board has the general duties of road commissioners, surveyors of highways, superintendent of streets, water commissioners, and sewer commissioners.
Q1. The Department of Public Works is developing a master plan for its buildings. What will you do to ensure that new structures comply with the Town’s Municipal Sustainable Building Guidelines (currently being updated) and that any plans for new buildings or renovations be evaluated for solar and battery storage?
Michael J. McManus
A1: As a Board member I would advocate and work closely with the Board of Public Works and the DPW as well as other town boards (e.g. PBC and FMD) and include the Sustainability Director to identify available options to not only comply with the guidelines but exceed them wherever possible and practical. The inclusion of solar and/or geo-thermal could be a consideration for new buildings.
Jeffrey P. Wechsler
A1: I’m eager to work with my fellow board members and the DPW staff to engage the Sustainability Director - and all relevant town departments, boards, and functions - in a process that prioritizes all town guidelines and regulations, including the Sustainable Building Guidelines.
I want to ensure that new buildings in town, including those for the DPW, do as much as reasonably possible to manage and minimize the long-term impact of our buildings on the environment and public health. This includes evaluation for solar and battery storage, and also includes making smart decisions about building materials, insulation, electrification, use of natural light, smart layouts, and more.
We currently have a new administration building at the RDF in the process of being constructed, and I’m proud to say we will have solar panels on that building. This was a priority for us, since it not only provides clean on-site emissions free energy - but it serves as a visible demonstration of effective solar energy use on a highly visible building at a widely trafficked town facility.
Q2. What other ideas do you have to help the DPW lead on sustainability efforts over the next decade?
Michael J. McManus
A2:
1. Continued transition to EV and battery powered landscape equipment.
2. Continued promotion of 3R (reduce, reuse, recycle) and expanding food waste diversion.
3. Expansion of water conservation initiatives, including EPA WaterSense program, and promotion of sustainable landscapes.
4. Expanded use of green infrastructure to improve stormwater quality.
Jeffrey P. Wechsler
A2.
(1 seat available for 2 year term - Michael)
The Board has the general duties of road commissioners, surveyors of highways, superintendent of streets, water commissioners, and sewer commissioners.
Q1. The Department of Public Works is developing a master plan for its buildings. What will you do to ensure that new structures comply with the Town’s Municipal Sustainable Building Guidelines (currently being updated) and that any plans for new buildings or renovations be evaluated for solar and battery storage?
Michael J. McManus
A1: As a Board member I would advocate and work closely with the Board of Public Works and the DPW as well as other town boards (e.g. PBC and FMD) and include the Sustainability Director to identify available options to not only comply with the guidelines but exceed them wherever possible and practical. The inclusion of solar and/or geo-thermal could be a consideration for new buildings.
Jeffrey P. Wechsler
A1: I’m eager to work with my fellow board members and the DPW staff to engage the Sustainability Director - and all relevant town departments, boards, and functions - in a process that prioritizes all town guidelines and regulations, including the Sustainable Building Guidelines.
I want to ensure that new buildings in town, including those for the DPW, do as much as reasonably possible to manage and minimize the long-term impact of our buildings on the environment and public health. This includes evaluation for solar and battery storage, and also includes making smart decisions about building materials, insulation, electrification, use of natural light, smart layouts, and more.
We currently have a new administration building at the RDF in the process of being constructed, and I’m proud to say we will have solar panels on that building. This was a priority for us, since it not only provides clean on-site emissions free energy - but it serves as a visible demonstration of effective solar energy use on a highly visible building at a widely trafficked town facility.
Q2. What other ideas do you have to help the DPW lead on sustainability efforts over the next decade?
Michael J. McManus
A2:
1. Continued transition to EV and battery powered landscape equipment.
2. Continued promotion of 3R (reduce, reuse, recycle) and expanding food waste diversion.
3. Expansion of water conservation initiatives, including EPA WaterSense program, and promotion of sustainable landscapes.
4. Expanded use of green infrastructure to improve stormwater quality.
Jeffrey P. Wechsler
A2.
- Continued electrification of DPW equipment, based on the ongoing evaluation of constantly improving commercial grade tools.
- Continual refinement of operations at the RDF, and town-wide Reduce, Reuse, Recycle efforts - to ensure we make it easy, desirable, and impactful for residents to participate in programs that benefit the environment, improve public health, and raise revenue for the town.
- Continued promotion of water related topics, including conservation and reduction of storm run-off. Engaging residents is critical in our ability to impact town-wide awareness and the choices our residents make.
- Continued participation in No-Mow May where feasible, ongoing use of robotic mowers where helpful, and continued thoughtful maintenance of our parks, trails, and playing fields.
- Ongoing evaluation of options for incentive programs that promote sustainability.