The Resilient Danvers Climate Action, Sustainability, Preservation, and Resiliency (CASPR) Plan

Adopt the Stretch Energy Code and Municipal Opt-In Provisions to ensure new construction is designed for electrification and can meet net-zero performance standards, per Green Communities Criterion 5.  

Establish expedited zoning and permitting processes for new construction and significant rehabilitation projects incorporating on-site renewable energy and storage, as well as as-of-right renewable energy facilities per Green Communities Criterion 2. 

Enhance existing incentives for homeowners to encourage energy efficiency and conversion of homes to all-electric systems. 

Develop incentives to encourage energy efficiency and conversion of commercial and institutional buildings to all-electric systems. 

Establish an energy use baseline inventory for municipal buildings and facilities, street and traffic lighting, and vehicles and adopt a plan to reduce energy use by 20% within five years, per Green Communities Criterion 3. 

Enable Commercial PACE by opting into MassDevelopment Program and develop supporting programs to drive participation.

Relocate the Electric Department to a facility outside a floodplain and ensure the overall design and structure consider flooding and other climate hazards.

Implement short-term actions to increase the resilience of the Electric Department facility and all emergency response facilities to climate hazards.

Establish and implement flood prevention measures that exceed the Town’s current standards to be eligible for the FEMA Community Rating System program in the future. 

Review guidelines for historic buildings to identify potential conflicts with energy-efficiency enhancements and identify appropriate solutions.

Provide financial assistance to low- and fixed-income individuals for weatherization and efficient cooling. 

Secure supply contracts that support new renewable energy development in the region via the Massachusetts Offshore Wind Industry Investment Trust Fund and Energy New England Programs.

Identify neighborhoods and building clusters that are suitable candidates for geo-microgrid systems.

Implement policies and practices necessary to achieve SolSmart Gold level certification for the Town.

Identify potential locations for large solar + storage developments on municipal, state-owned, or underutilized sites, such as large surface parking areas.

Provide as-of-right siting in designated locations for renewable or alternative energy generating facilities, research and development facilities, or manufacturing facilities, per Green Communities Criterion 1.

Develop rebates that encourage more battery systems in Danvers with "adders" to solar net-metering rates modeled on the Massachusetts SMART program.

Create additional rebates to access demand response services provided by home and commercial battery systems modeled on the Eversource Connected Solutions Program.

Introduce off-peak pricing program for electric vehicle charging.

Develop a prioritization framework that anticipates likely rate of transition, current system capacity, and other maintenance priorities of the distribution system.

Engage operators of commercial fleets and large facilities to collaboratively plan electrification transitions.

Communicate with staff at critical facilities about backup power options and best practices.

Elevate or relocate vulnerable substations and avoid siting future substations in flood zones.

Maintain a list of ready project ideas to draw on unspent ARPA and other block funding received by the Town.

Pursue local, state, and federal funding to acquire private parcels with a high natural resource or recreational value.

Create an inventory, planting, and management plan for all Town trees.

Develop and implement an appropriate tree protection ordinance applying to public and private land that maintains tree cover and values resilience benefits of trees.

Ensure update to Open Space and Recreation plan prioritizes equitable access to recreation areas, open spaces, and trails and potential strategies to increase access.

Develop and disseminate guidance, tools, and best practices on incorporating site-appropriate cooling features in parks and open space areas.

Preserve undeveloped land around water resources and coastal areas.

Accelerate the uptake of sustainable landscaping practices through rebates, incentives, and education. 

Create a municipal planting policy that prioritizes native species well-suited for anticipated climate changes, different soil types, and supports pollinators.

Design and implement a rain garden program that provides financial and technical assistance to residential and commercial properties.

Research funding opportunities and prepare materials to apply for funding to implement capital improvement projects to enhance the long-term sustainability of the water system and protect public health.

Prioritize and highlight green infrastructure and Low Impact Development (LID) best practices in public open spaces and other municipal properties.

Create a stormwater utility to fund projects and enhance Town drainage infrastructure.

Build in redundancies and battery backup across communications infrastructure.

Increase training for emergency response personnel around climate hazards.

Pilot a neighborhood resilience hub that provides daily needed resources and emergency response services to enhance community resilience.

Partner with local health and wellness service providers to promote access to resources that address chronic stressors, including mental health services.

Develop a bicycle infrastructure plan.

Establish signed bike routes between key destinations.

Create connections between existing transit stops and employment or economic centers.

Create a public realm improvement program that prioritizes pedestrian safety and comfort.

Promote incentives and highlight best practices from developers to incorporate Quality of Place into construction and renovation.

Create an EV charger incentive and technical assistance program for commercial and public spaces.

Adopt a Fuel-Efficient Vehicle Policy for all municipal departments and the school district and develop a plan for transitioning vehicles, per Green Communities Criterion 4.

Leverage municipal utility to facilitate installation of electric school bus and municipal vehicle charging infrastructure.

Expand existing plastic bag ordinance to target other types of single-use plastics.

Expand sustainable purchasing programs within Town operations.

Partner with Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical School to offer repair clinics.

Develop an ordinance for all multi-family residences, commercial establishments, and schools that phases in mandatory recycling and composting requirements in alignment with state policies.

Implement a residential curbside composting pilot program.

Determine the best way to incorporate a Save-Money-And-Reduce-Trash (SMART) program into the new waste franchise agreement.

Expand the types of waste that can be collected at Town drop-off events.

Support the development of producer responsibility approaches for materials that are difficult to manage in local programs, including paint, packaging, electronics, and carpet, via the Massachusetts Product Stewardship Council.