Weston sustainability coordinator previews ACRE program and spring climate events

WESTON — April 9, 2024 — Weston previews ACRE climate series, Power Choice launch, and a Town Meeting tree-budget ask. Town Sustainability Coordinator Julie Gagen briefed a Council on Aging audience Tuesday on the new Accelerating Climate Resilience for Elders program, a six-town regional partnership with Wayland, Sudbury, Ashland, Natick and Framingham, with public events at the COA on May 23 and beyond and a regional climate fair in October. Gagen said Weston leads Massachusetts in EV adoption but has rooftop solar on only about 200 of its roughly 2,800 buildings, and is the state's highest residential water user, "by quite a bit," driven by lawn irrigation. Resident Debbie said Weston Power Choice begins June 1 at 44 percent renewable — 20 points above the state requirement — rising 30 points annually, with a 100 percent opt-up costing roughly $250 more per year for an average household. Gagen said DPW Director Tom Cullen will bring an increased tree-management budget to Town Meeting following a townwide tree-health evaluation.