SAUGUS — Nearly $243,000 worth of energy-saving improvements have just been completed at the library and Public Safety Building and are expected to save taxpayers about $30,000 in annual energy costs.
The money was awarded to the town through a Green Communities grant in 2017 to fund energy conservation measures in both buildings. Grants totaled $14 million during this round of awards and 72 Massachusetts communities benefited from them.
The measures included the installation of interior and exterior LED lighting at both buildings and HVAC improvements at the Saugus Public Library.
The library and Public Safety Building are two of the highest energy consumers of all municipal administrative buildings, excluding the schools, according to a statement from Town Manager Scott Crabtree.
“This necessary conversion to LED lighting at the library and Public Safety Building alone will save taxpayers an estimated $25,441 annually,” said Crabtree. “Not only have all five of these projects been completed at no cost to our residents, but they will also continue to save the town tens of thousands of dollars in energy savings each year.”
Saugus was designated a Green Community in 2015, which means the town committed to reducing its energy consumption by 20 percent within five years. At the time of the designation, the town was awarded $208,000 for the purchase of two battery electric vehicles and to install two charging stations behind the Department of Public Works. The grant also covered lighting upgrades at Veterans Memorial Elementary School and Belmonte Middle School, and the analysis and improvements to the HVAC system and the installation of variable frequency drives and efficient motors at Veterans Memorial Elementary School.
The most recent allocation in July was for $250,000 for sustainability-related projects, including the conversion of fluorescent bulbs to LED bulbs at the Town Hall and Senior Center. That is expected to save the town $27,930 annually in electrical costs.
“We are extremely grateful that the town of Saugus is a three-time recipient of this generous grant through the Department of Energy Resources,” said Crabtree. “This funding has and will continue to benefit the town of Saugus through energy efficiency and cost-effectiveness.”
