Sustainable Practices

The Town of Bolton has been increasing its practices toward becoming a more resilient community. Many of these practices have been on-going for years.

Working with town departments, the Town has been developing and implementing programs, policies and initiatives to achieve a more resilient Bolton. 

Sustainability is a team effort. Here are some highlights from what Town Buildings and Associated Staff have been up to:

Grant Programs:

• Complete Streets Complete Streets are those that provide safe and accessible options for all travel modes- walking, biking, transit, and vehicles- for people of all ages and abilities.
• Green Communities find clean energy solutions that reduce long-term energy costs and strengthen local economies
• Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Program (Planning 2020, Action ACNCS 2021, Action NRCRLM 2021-2023)
• Local Aquisitions for Natural Diversity Taggart Forestland 

Accepted Articles:

• Federal Designation of N-S-N Wild and Scenic River (Article 8 - 2018) The Wild and Scenic Rivers program is dedicated to protecting nationally significant rivers and their unique biological, recreational, scenic, historical and/or cultural resources. This present effort has been voluntarily joined by 11 towns (9 in MA, 2 in NH) that have frontage on the Nashua, Squannacook, or Nissitissit Rivers. A Locally-drafted Stewardship Plan has been developed which will help assure the protection of our unique river resources for generations to come.
• 2015 Paris Climate Accord Citizen's Petition (Article 28 - 2018) endorsing the non-binding resolution listed below; " we will adopt, honor and uphold the commitments to the goals enshrined in the Paris Climate Accord. We will intensify efforts to meet each of our communities' current climate goals, push for new action to meet the 1.5 degrees Celsius target, and work together to create a 21st century clean energy environment." or take any other action in relation thereto. 
• Community Choice Aggregation (Article 22- 2020) A Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) program allows local government to combine the purchasing power of its residents to achieve savings on electricity costs. In doing so, it creates competition among competitive suppliers which helps ensure aggressive rates. Consumers are no longer “stuck” with the cost and fluctuation of basic service rates because the Program offers another option, but consumers can opt-out if they choose.

Adopted Policies:

• Buy Recycled 
• MassDEP Recycle Smart Partnership 

Infrastructure:

• EV Charging Station located at Public Safety Building & DPW 
  • Getting a Charge Out of Bolton (article by Tony Jagodnik of HeatSmart as previously published in the Bolton Independent)
• Mini Splits in Town Buildings for efficient heating/cooling systems
• Town wide trail system passive recreation trails throughout town providing connectivity through town and to points of interest 
• Nashua River Greenway/Landline (Preliminary stage) planning a shared way/Best route through town in coordination with MAPC communities

Plans:

• Hazard Mitigation
• Apple Country Natural Climate Solutions 
• Nashua River Communities Resilient Lands Management
• Complete Streets Prioritization 
• Future Resilient Field at Derby

Other:

• office furniture - purchase gently used items 
• supplies - recycle ink cartridfes, paper, purchase items made with recycled materials