Energy Commission

Commission Members:
Vicky Jenkins, Chair
Claire Chang,
413-626-3620
Tupper Brown, 413-863-8243
Janet Masucci, 413-863-8694
Andy Cole, 413-325-1383
Alden Booth

Contact the Energy Commission: encom@gillmass.org

Mailing Address: 325 Main Road, Gill, MA 01354-9758

Meeting Schedule: The Commission meets on an as needed basis. Please contact the Chair to determine the meeting time and to be included on the agenda.

Next meeting:

Members

6 of 7 seats. 3 years each seat.

  • Vicky Jenkins, Chair. June, 2026.
  • Janet Masucci, Member. June, 2024.
  • Andy Cole, Member. June, 2025.
  • Tupper Brown, Member. June, 2025.
  • Alden Booth, Member. June, 2026.
  • Claire Chang, Member. June, 2026.
  • VACANT

Find Us on Facebook

View the Gill Energy Commission Facebook page and like us to stay updated about new postings and offerings: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Gill-Energy-Commission/521949641188728
 

Commonwealth Energy Tool for Savings (energyCENTS)

The Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) recently launched the Commonwealth Energy Tool for Savings (energyCENTS), a web platform for the Commonwealth's ratepayers to search available energy saving opportunities.energyCENTS provides a single entry point for Massachusetts residents and businesses looking for the energy rebates, incentives, loans, and tax credits available from MassSave®, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and other organizations, like the federal government.

energyCENTS allows ratepayers, from residential to commercial and industrial, to search for rebates and incentives across utilities, entities and applications while refining searches by keywords and zip codes. Results from energyCENTS searches will direct ratepayers to the rebate or incentive sponsor's website for additional information and application.

The dynamic web platform provides opportunities from electric vehicles, appliances, home energy assessments, solar electricity to the latest energy initiatives available in the Commonwealth. This user-friendly, transparent tool aims to link energy opportunities to funding sources and Commonwealth ratepayers.

Currently there are over 250 incentives and rebates available to Massachusetts electric and natural gas ratepayers from the state and federal governments and utility program administrators. 

The energyCENTS website is www.mass.gov/energycents
 

NEW 0% Loan Options through Mass Save HEAT Loan Program!
Through a $3.8 million US Department of Energy grant, the Mass. Dept. of Energy Resources has expanded the energy improvements eligible for the Mass Save? HEAT Loan to encourage more residential energy efficient upgrades and high efficiency renewable heating installations. Zero percent loans are now available for biomass wood pellet boilers (up to $25,000), deeper weatherization measures (up to $50,000), and projects in two- to four-family buildings ($25,000 to $50,000). In addition, the program is offering weatherization barrier mitigation incentives of up to $2,000 for knob and tube wiring remediation, and up to $3,000 for asbestos abatement. Visit the Heat Loan site for details.
 

Sign up for a free energy audit
Free energy audits are available by directly contacting any of these companies:

MassSaves at 1-866-527-7283 www.masssave.com/residential/home-energy-assessments

Home Energy Contractors:
A. A. Arden, LLC., Attleboro 508-639-9811 www.aaarden.com or email Dennis@aaarden.com
Coop Power, Greenfield 877-266-7548 www.cooppower.coop
Cozy Home Performance LLC., Easthampton 413-529-0200 www.mycozyhome.com
Energia, Holyoke 413-332-9111 EnergiaUS.com

Our 2013 energy fair had exhibitors and demonstrations on practices and techniques to track and reduce energy use, develop a more sustainable lifestyle, live more comfortably, save money, and reduce your carbon footprint. A video of our speakers can be found on Vimeo at vimeo.com/mctvchannel17

Laura Biddulph, Community Outreach Specialist, Center for EcoTechnology spoke about building science, how it relates to the need to weatherize, and solutions including winserts. Amy Donovan, Program Director, Franklin County Solid Waste Management District spoke about recycling, composting, and hazardous waste, with a special focus on the climate change/waste diversion link. John Walsh, Supervisor - Residential C&LM, Western Massachusetts Electric Company spoke about WMECO programs and ways that people can track and reduce energy consumption.

Energy Saving Ideas for the Gill Challenge to Reduce Energy Use by 13% in 2013

Gill Designated as Green Community
At a State House ceremony on July 24th, Gill was one of 17 communities designated by Governor Deval Patrick as a Green Community, joining the ranks of 86 previously designated cities and towns.

Once designated as official Green Communities, cities and towns are eligible for awards to fund local renewable power and energy efficiency projects that advance both municipal and state clean energy goals. Grants awarded so far assist an array of projects across the state, including the installation of solar panels on town office buildings, weatherization at schools and municipal buildings, installation of high-efficiency street lights, and a host of energy efficiency upgrades. Gill's grant award is $139,900, and Gill's Energy Commission will be developing a list of projects in town for the Selectboard to review and submit to the State for approval and funding.

Representatives from Gill's Energy Commission and Selectboard attended a ceremony in Amherst on August 14th at which the Town was again recognized for its commitment to the goals of the Green Community program, and received the symbolic "Really Big Check" for $139,900! In the photo below, from left to right, are Mark Sylvia, Commissioner of the Department of Energy Resources; John Ward, Gill Selectman; Janet Masucci, Gill Energy Commission; Claire Chang, Gill Energy Commission Chair; and Richard Sullivan, Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs.

New Tips on Saving Money

Courtesy of the Greening Greenfield Campaign, CLICK HERE for a brochure that describes ways to find the financial assistance that you need to make your home more energy smart. (Note: Some of the programs described on the brochure are available only to Greenfield residents.)

New informational handout from the Gill Energy Commission on ways to save money on energy upgrades! Click here.

Learn to Make Insulating Window Inserts
Here's the link to the North Quabbin Energy website that explains how to make your own winserts - the same way we were taught at our workshop on February 26th. "Winserts" are reusable transparent panels that fit snugly inside window jambs to add two extra layers of glazing. A properly-constructed winsert will reduce heat loss from a typical single- or double-glazed window by up to 50%, thus more than paying for the cost of the winserts in less than one year. Click here (opens new browser window).

Green Communities Action Plan
The Green Communities Action Plan was developed in the Spring of 2010 by the Energy Commission with considerable assistance from the FRCOG. If Gill meets the five criteria for being designated as a Green Community, the Town would be eligible to apply for energy-related grants available from the Mass. Department of Energy Resources. The pot of money for grants awarded in FY 2010 was approximately $10 million. The five criteria are: As of Right Siting, Expedited Permitting, Baseline Reduction of Municipal Energy Use by 20%, Purchase of Energy Efficient Vehicles and/or other green transportation initiatives, and Adoption of the Stretch Building Code. This plan was endorsed by the Selectboard at their June 7, 2010 meeting.

MassSAVE Energy Audit Offers New Services
MassSAVE, the utility-funded no-cost home energy audit program, has just added FREE air sealing to their services. Air sealing (sealing unnecessary air leaks in attics and basements) is often the most effective measure in terms of improving a home's energy efficiency. In an older home, all the small leaks can be equivalent to having a window wide open all winter long. It is also a measure that can be suitable for homeowners who have knob & tube wiring -- a major roadblock to adding insulation.

The free air sealing is offered in addition to: $2,000 savings already available for attic, wall and basement insulation; and 0% interest loan up to $15,000 for insulation, high-efficiency heating systems, windows and solar hot water systems. Call MassSAVE at 1-866-527-7283 to schedule a no-cost home energy audit.

Previous meetings:

Calendar of Events
Selectboard Meeting -- SCHEDULED
Mon, Nov 4, 2024, 5:30 pm
Riverside Municipal Building, 54 French King Highway
  • Attached File: Gill Selectboard 2024-11-04 Agenda with files
  • Tue, Nov 5, 2024, 7:00 am - 8:00 pm
    2nd Floor Town Hall
    Posted to: Town Hall
    Fri, Nov 8, 2024, All Day
    Posted to: Town Hall
    Board of Health -- SCHEDULED
    Tue, Nov 12, 2024, 5:30 pm
    Town Hall
    Posted to: Board of Health
    Tue, Nov 12, 2024, 7:00 pm
    Town Hall
    Energy Commission -- SCHEDULED
    Wed, Nov 13, 2024, 5:30 pm
    Town Hall
    Posted to: Energy Commission
    Latest News
    The Fall 2024 issue of the Gill Newsletter is now available on the website.
    Be part of our town's new Food Waste Collection Program... for free!
    Drop-in open house at Slate Memorial Library on October 30th 4-6 PM
    Closed for repaving for 1-2 weeks beginning Oct 7th
    Proposals for community-oriented arts, humanities, and science programs due October 16th, 2024
    Saturday, September 28, 2024, 7-10 PM at the Town Hall