All In Shrewsbury

Municipal Climate Action and Resiliency Plan

As storms, flooding, and heat waves become more frequent and intense due to climate change, the Town of Shrewsbury is taking action and leading by example. Through the All In Shrewsbury Municipal Climate Action and Resiliency Plan, the Town will embrace forward-thinking, climate-ready solutions guided by the past and powered by a shared vision for a sustainable future.

Read the full All In Shrewsbury Municipal Plan.

Action Table

The All In Shrewsbury Municipal Plan was created in collaboration with a 37-member Climate Action Advisory Committee. Click the drop-downs below to explore the goals, strategies, and actions defined in the plan and view our progress.

Clean Energy & Efficient Buildings

EB 1

Shrewsbury sources energy that is local and renewable.

EB 1

Shrewsbury sources energy that is local and renewable.

EB 1.1

Accelerate the transition of SELCO's energy portfolio to renewable energy.

Action	Description	Status
EB 1.1.A	Maximize on-site renewable energy development at appropriate municipal facility sites that minimizes tree removal.
EB 1.1.B	Establish partnerships with commnuity institutions to develop local distributed solar installations that contribute to SELCO's clean energy supply goals.
EB 1.1.C	Support continued expansion of SELCO's community share solar program.
EB 1.1.D	Coodinate advocacy through municipal utility coalitions for increased support for transition implementation by the MA Department of Public Utilities (DPU), Department of Energy Resources (DOER), and other agencies.

EB 2

Shrewsbury's energy infrastructure is well prepared for weather-related disruptions and community electrification.

EB 2

Shrewsbury's energy infrastructure is well prepared for weather-related disruptions and community electrification.

EB 2.1

Enhance energy resilience and expand capacity for renewable energy.

Action	Description	Status
EB 2.1.A	Create a transition plan for building new Class I renewable energy sources, expanded battery capacity, and decommissioning of existing fossil fuel generation assets.
EB 2.1.B	Prioritize the development of advanced metering and other systems that support grid resilience services and installation of solar and battery systems in critical facilities.
EB 2.1.C	Partner with SELCO to expand social media and other real-time messaging to customers for management of peak demand.
EB 2.1.D	Perform regular ‘landscape scan’ research to monitor changes with rapidly advancing technologies for suitability to address SELCO transition priorities.

EB 3

Municipal buildings are designed, constructed, and maintained to be energy efficient and minimize greenhouse gas emissions.

EB 3

Municipal buildings are designed, constructed, and maintained to be energy efficient and minimize greenhouse gas emissions.

EB 3.1

Implement standards of high-efficiency and carbon neutrality for new municipal construction and major renovations.

Action	Description	Status
EB 3.1.A	Recommend the utilization of the Massachusetts Net-Zero “Specialized” Opt-In energy code for municipal buildings, with appropriate exceptions for critical facilities.
EB 3.1.B	Research the development of and recommend a “no new fossil fuels” policy for new municipal construction and major renovations.

EB 3.2

Electrify existing municipal buildings running on fossil fuels and pursue deep retrofits and resource conservation.

Action	Description	Status
EB 3.2.A	Investigate and support development of geo-microgrid pilot programs.
EB 3.2.B	Publish municipal building energy use data in accessible formats with accompanying context for clear interpretation.
EB 3.2.C	Continue pursuing upgrades to existing facilities to achieve net zero energy performance and minimize total energy use and operational expenses.
EB 3.2.D	Prioritize the installation of energy-efficient cooling systems like heat pumps in schools and other municipal buildings to minimize energy use and protect occupant health during heat waves.
EB 3.2.E	Educate building occupants on personal energy conservation actions and establish norms for all Town employees to follow.

Resilient Operations

RO 1

Emergency services are equipped to respond to climate hazards and municipal operations are prepared to recover quickly from short-term shocks and long-term stressors.

RO 1

Emergency services are equipped to respond to climate hazards and municipal operations are prepared to recover quickly from short-term shocks and long-term stressors.

RO 1.1

Expand and increase the capacity of emergency preparedness services.

Action	Description	Status
RO 1.1.A	Conduct a gap analysis of Shrewsbury's emergency management systems and operations to identify opportunities for improvement.
RO 1.1.B	Design and launch an emergency preparedness campaign for municipal staff and community members.

RO 1.2

Implement resilient operations and systems that can recover quickly from climate hazards.

Action	Description	Status
RO 1.2.A	Continue to improve and protect municipal assets from climate hazards by elevating mechanical utilities, floodproofing buildings, and tree trimming around utility wires to reduce power outages.
RO 1.2.B	Update the Hazard Mitigation Plan and ensure climate impacts are incorporated.
RO 1.2.C	Conduct yearly reviews of Shrewsbury Emergency Management Plan and Continuity of Operations Plan.

RO 2

Shrewsbury's operations reflect sustainability principles and are prepared for the impacts of climate change.

RO 2

Shrewsbury's operations reflect sustainability principles and are prepared for the impacts of climate change.

RO 2.1

Integrate sustainability principles into procurement policies to improve efficiency and reduce waste.

Action	Description	Status
RO 2.1.A	Create a centralized sustainable procurement policy to prevent duplicative purchases and reduce waste.
RO 2.1.B	Create a centralized, collaborative process and procedures for procurement.
RO 2.1.C	Add sustainability requirements and standards for vendors and contractors, as relevant.

RO 2.2

Integrate sustainability principles and climate data into municipal planning and budgeting processes.

Action	Description	Status
RO 2.2.A	Create a municipal Green Team with diverse department representation charged with implementation of the Climate Action and Resiliency Plan.
RO 2.2.B	Develop sustainability evaluation criteria to be incorporated into municipal budgeting, capital improvement and planning, and project design processes.
RO 2.2.C	Review all existing municipal policies to identify and remove any barriers to incorporating sustainable practices into day-to-day operations.
RO 2.2.D	Create a Strategic Data Use Plan focused on the Town’s intentions to leverage data to strengthen governance, transparency, and sustainable and efficient operations.

Smart Waste and Water Management

WW 1

Shrewsbury's municipal solid waste is reduced and managed responsibly.

WW 1

Shrewsbury's municipal solid waste is reduced and managed responsibly.

WW 1.1

Reduce consumption of single-use items and maximize reuse.

Action	Description	Status
WW 1.1.A	Conduct an audit of the Town’s waste processes and waste stream from contracting through disposal.
WW 1.1.B	Create a sustainable events guide for Town staff to reduce waste and single use plastics.
WW 1.1.C	Offer a “reuse closet” for office supplies and equipment that staff can utilize to reuse materials.
WW 1.1.D	Implement a phased paper reduction program that encourages online or digital application processes and document storage where feasible.

WW 1.2

Increase municipal recycling and composting diversion rates.

Action	Description	Status
WW 1.2.A	Establish a waste management program and educational campaign to improve recycling within Town facilities.
WW 1.2.B	Identify and designate a space to host zero waste and swap events (e.g., furniture swaps).
WW 1.2.C	Explore the feasibility of a pilot composting program in elementary schools.
WW 1.2.D	Expand the schools’ recycling program to include all cafeterias and provide education on how to properly recycle.
WW 1.2.E	Incorporate requirements into waste hauler contracts for enhanced reporting and tracking of solid waste and recycling.
WW 1.2.F	Incorporate sustainable materials and waste management requirements into RFPs.

WW 2

The Town consumes water efficienctly and sustainably.

WW 2

The Town consumes water efficienctly and sustainably.

WW 2.1

Decrease municipal water consumption and track consumption patterns over time.

Action	Description	Status
WW 2.1.A	Retrofit existing municipal facilities and create standards for water-efficient appliances and faucets for all Town buildings and schools.
WW 2.1.B	Track water consumption at the municipal building level and create a dashboard to educate staff and encourage conservation.

Sustainable Transportation

ST 1

The Town of Shrewsbury is a model for clean transportation options.

ST 1

The Town of Shrewsbury is a model for clean transportation options.

ST 1.1

Transition the municipal fleet to zero-emission vehicles and expand charging infrastructure where feasible and available.

Action	Description	Status
ST 1.1.A	Create a municipal Zero-Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Purchasing Policy that considers operational requirements of vehicles and availability of suitable models.
ST 1.1.B	Work with SELCO to increase municipal and public charging infrastructure at municipal facilities.

ST 1.2

Support flexible work schedules and low-carbon commuting options for Town staff.

Action	Description	Status
ST 1.2.A	Explore alternative work schedules to reduce the number of commuting days.
ST 1.2.B	Identify priority municipal buildings to install covered bicycle parking, showers, and other appropriate facilities to support walking and biking to work.
ST 1.2.C	Acquire and designate EVs for Town staff to share and reserve to travel to meetings, trainings, and other locations on municipal business.
ST 1.2.D	Create incentives and awareness opportunities for Town staff to transition to EVs and other low-carbon options for personal transportation and commuting.

Vibrant Natural Resources

NR 1

Town-owned trees, open spaces, and wetlands are protected and managed to enhance ecosystem services and community resilience.

NR 1

Town-owned trees, open spaces, and wetlands are protected and managed to enhance ecosystem services and community resilience.

NR 1.1

Protect and enhance Shrewsbury's tree canopy and open space.

Action	Description	Status
NR 1.1.A	Prioritize the allocation of resources to protect and enhance open space and conservation lands.
NR 1.1.B	Create informational materials and signage about different types of land/open spaces in Shrewsbury and how the Town maintains them to educate municipal staff and community members.
NR 1.1.C	Over a three-year period, create a baseline street tree inventory and management plan to track and map tree canopy and proactively maintain tree health on municipal land.
NR 1.1.D	Collaborate with neighboring towns to work together on open space networks and ecosystems across town borders.

NR 1.2

Prioritize the role of wetlands in enhancing Shrewsbury's resilience to climate change.

Action	Description	Status
NR 1.2.A	Restore and protect wetlands and buffer zones along local bodies of water to improve water quality and enhance wildlife habitat.

NR 2

Landscapes in Shrewsbury support a healthy and diverse local ecosystem.

NR 2

Landscapes in Shrewsbury support a healthy and diverse local ecosystem.

NR 2.1

Manage and enhance landscapes with sustainable and climate-adaptive practices.

Action	Description	Status
NR 2.1.A	Phase in electric maintenance equipment where feasible, starting with hand-held equipment.
NR 2.1.B	Create municipal planting guidelines that prioritize native species well-suited for anticipated climate changes and supports pollinators and other wildlife.
NR 2.1.C	Designate and publicly identify no-mow zones.
NR 2.1.D	Establish pocket parks at schools and on small parcels of municipal land that incorporate low-maintenance, native, and pollinator-friendly plantings.

NR 3

Stormwater in Shrewsbury is minimized and managed with nature-based solutions, green infrastructure, and municipal programs.

NR 3

Stormwater in Shrewsbury is minimized and managed with nature-based solutions, green infrastructure, and municipal programs.

NR 3.1

Minimize stormwater generation and pollutant runoff.

Action	Description	Status
NR 3.1.A	Continue to improve the Town’s vegetative debris (i.e., storm-related debris) management program to mitigate risks of power outages, blocked roads, flooding, and winter storm damage.
NR 3.1.B	Incorporate green infrastructure and Low Impact Development (LID) projects, such as rain gardens and bioretention basins, into new municipal building designs and updates to parks and playgrounds.
NR 3.1.C	Pilot water catchment and reuse systems on Town-owned properties.

All In Shrewsbury

Creating a Climate-Ready Town

Through the All In Shrewsbury Municipal Plan, the Town will work collaboratively across municipal departments to meet the challenges of climate change head-on.

The Town seeks to achieve the following overarching goals:

Reduce the Town of Shrewsbury’s contribution to climate change
Integrate sustainability and climate action principles across all Town departments
Ensure that municipal operations are resilient and efficient
Save money, time, and resources
Preserve the Town’s history, culture, and quality of life
Prepare for the current and coming impacts of climate change

There is resident support to create a community-wide climate action plan on the heels of the All In Shrewsbury Municipal Plan. By developing a municipal-focused plan first, the Town will lay a foundation for local climate action and lead by example.

null — Read the full *All In Shrewsbury Municipal Plan*.

Electrify all municipal buildings

Transition the Town's fleet and equipment to zero-emissions models

Divert solid waste away from incineration

Transition the electricity grid to 100% non-emitting sources

All In Shrewsbury

Our Roadmap to Net Zero

To reduce Shrewsbury’s contribution to climate change, the Town also aims to achieve net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from municipal operations by 2050, in alignment with the State of Massachusetts’ Decarbonization Roadmap. Achieving net zero emissions means reducing emissions to as close to zero as possible. In the interim, the Town will seek to achieve a 50% reduction in municipal GHG emissions by 2030.

For the Town, achieving net zero will require action throughout municipal operations, as shown in the image carousel to the left. The metrics and targets included in the All In Shrewsbury Municipal Plan demonstrate what it will take to achieve these ambitious goals.

All In Shrewsbury

Guiding Principles

Four Guiding Principles were selected to shape the planning process and establish priorities for implementing the All In Shrewsbury Municipal Plan, while also reflecting the core values of the community.

Social, Economic, and Environmental Resilience: Increasing the capacity of social, economic, and natural systems to thrive in the face of climate impacts.
Integrity and Transparency: Communicating openly with Town stakeholders about plans and progress and fostering a culture of integrity and honesty.
Equity and Inclusion: Ensuring that Town policies, projects, and programs are equitable, inclusive of diverse voices and experiences, and do not exacerbate inequities in our community.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reductions: Reducing the Town of Shrewsbury’s contribution to climate change.