SWAMPSCOTT — The Select Board voted unanimously to authorize Director of Community and Economic Development Marzie Galazka to pursue a state grant from the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program.
The grant would be used to help fund the hiring of a full-time energy manager for the town, from October of this year to June of 2025.
Vice Chair Katie Phelan expressed doubt that the amount would be enough to fully fund the position for that duration of time.
“I want to get a grant and I want to hire an energy manager, but I also don’t want to say that the grant is going to cover the cost of an energy manager if we’re actually going to have to fund it some other way,” Phelan said.
Town Administrator Sean Fitzgerald responded by saying that funds are going to have to be used from the town’s operating budget.
He also expressed belief that the school department could share the cost for the position with the town, similar to how it does with Facilities Director Max Kasper.
“The largest energy user in town is the schools,” Fitzgerald said.
The Board responded by simultaneously insisting that a discussion would have to be had with district leaders, as it is a big decision.
“The facilities department has been an absolute huge success in terms of sharing town and school functions,” Fitzgerald said. “This will only continue to advance these successes.”
Additionally, the Board also approved a grant application for $100,000 from Mass Tourism.
