Working Groups
Clean Energy & Public Policy
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Our mission is to pursue policy and purchasing changes that will increase our town’s use of renewable and clean energy and reduce our use of fossil fuels so Marblehead can achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2040.
Hiring a town sustainability manager; decarbonizing the Marblehead Municipal Light Department (MMLD) power supply; increasing the number of electric vehicles and public charging stations; helping homeowners transition from gas and oil heating and cooling to air source heat pumps and mini-splits; encouraging homeowners to switch to all-electric, high-efficiency appliances; increasing the number of residential and municipal solar installations; increasing battery storage options to address peak demand for electricity; supporting off-shore wind projects; promoting energy efficiency; eliminating gas leaks.
First Monday of most months, 7-8:30 p.m. via Zoom
Eileen Haley Mathieu and Michele Bell
Green Homes & Buildings
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Our newest working group is actively working to provide outreach, education, and resources concerning ways to reduce the carbon footprint of buildings to the Marblehead owners of homes, apartments, public housing, commercial properties, and other public spaces such as schools and houses of worship.
1) Developing and maintaining helpful guides for property owners on how they can reduce carbon output through better insulation, electrified heating, solar installation and use of energy efficient appliances.
2) Providing expertise to our community on all the incentives available to owners and residential and commercial properties for carbon reduction initiatives. This includes incentives from Mass Save, NetZero and federal programs including the recently passed Inflation Reduction Act.
3) Hosting in person events and webinars with subject matter experts on topics of building efficiencies and green energy.
Second Monday of most months, 6 to 7pm via Zoom
Dylan Vizy and Louise Bullis Yarmoff
Harbor
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We are committed to working with the Marblehead community to create awareness and inspire demonstrable action to protect our harbor and ocean.
World Ocean Day, Harbor Water Quality, Green Boating Practices, Ocean Plastics Reduction, and Community Awareness.
Quarterly, more frequently in the summer
Steve Wolf
Sustainable Living
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Dedicated to helping community members find ways to live more sustainably in their daily lives. Also works with town departments and businesses to reduce waste. Together with the other Sustainable Marblehead working groups, we work toward making our beautiful community better.
Minimalist living tips, reducing waste, composting, recycling, repairing, plant-based foods
Fourth Monday of most months, 6-7:00 p.m. via Zoom
Mary Ellen Miller
Town Trees & Urban Forestry
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Our mission is to support the planting and proper maintenance of appropriate, native and low-maintenance trees for Marblehead’s streets and public lands, working in coordination with town departments, other community organizations and individual residents. Town trees, shrubs and green spaces provide beauty and shade while reducing heat loads, carbon, air pollution and storm runoff.
Communicating the importance of trees and native green landscapes; encouraging better management of Marblehead’s urban forestry to eliminate tree root interference, dead and dying trees, and unappealing street views; working with the town to publicize the Tree Donation Fund and enable online donations; working with the Tree Warden on a street tree inventory and health survey; supporting the planting of new trees and the care of existing trees through volunteerism and private fundraising to supplement the efforts of town employees; identifying new grant and funding opportunities.
Third Monday of most months, 7 - 8 p.m. via Zoom
Palma Bickford
