December 2016 | Business View Magazine

70 71 the procurement of electric vehicle charging stations, anti-idling technology for large vehicles, and hybrid ‘up fit’ technologies for large vehicles. We are very excited about the use of these new technologies to help reduce fuel usage and prolong the life of our vehicles. In the past, we’ve looked at alternative fuels for our fleet, such as compressed natural gas, but right now, with the low cost of diesel and unleaded fuel, that’s not really viable for us, so these up fit technologies to add hybrid to, say, a sanitation compactor, are very intriguing.” But perhaps Natick’s most environmentally-friendly initiative is its drive to “solarize” the town wherever and however it can.“By the end of this year, we will have nearly two megawatts of solar on six schools and four municipal buildings,”Wilson Martin says. “Combined, these systems will provide enough power to meet more than 20 percent of municipal electricity needs.” The community has followed suit, and Natick has the high- est solar capacity of any community in the MetroWest region of Boston. A key driver of this adoption has been the presence of Solarize Mass Natick, a state-sponsored program that strives to Preferred vendors n BioBag www.biobagusa.com BioBag is a world leader in providing bags and films for the collection of organic waste for the purpose of composting. Unlike regular plastic bags, BioBags are made from a resin derived from plants, vegetable oils, and compostable polymers, and can be consumed by micro-organisms that live in the soil. Because of this, BioBags can be readily compost- ed along with organic waste at municipal compost- ing facilities. n Authorized Services of New England www.asne.com n Haley & Ward www.haleyward.com n Putnam Pipe Corporation www.putnampipe.com NATICK, MASSACHUSETTS make going solar simple and affordable for residents and small business owners.“Solarize Mass Natick is setting a new record for the state,”Wilson Martin explains.“More than156 residents and small businesses will add another 1.2 megawatts of solar to our community this fall.” Natick is also pursuing membership in the federal recog- nition and no-cost technical assistance initiative for local governments called SolSmart, a national program designed to drive greater solar deployment for American homes and businesses. “This winter, we’ll start working with a techni- cal advisor in collaboration with other communities in the Metropolitan Area Planning Council area,” Wilson Martin says. “We’re hoping to achieve gold status.” Finally,Wilson Martin says that the town is pursuing the de- velopment of solar canopies over municipal parking lots and is working to purchase net metering credits from area solar arrays. “By serving as a host customer for local green power, we can reduce our electric bills and help facilitate the region’s transition from fossil fuels. It’s a win-win for everyone.” Natick, Massachusetts may be an old New England town, but, by applying such a broad array of sustainable best practices and environmentally-friendly programs and initiatives, it certainly ranks as one of the most forward-looking municipalities in the Commonwealth, and perhaps in the nation, as well.