Shrewsbury May Tackle Climate Change At Town Meeting

SHREWSBURY, MA — One of the more than 40 articles before Shrewsbury Town Meeting will decide if the town will take action on climate change.

One article before Town Meeting this week will ask members to approve using $140,000 from free cash to create a climate action and resiliency plan, according to the warrant.

"The plan will establish a plan for the town government to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels and thereby reduce its greenhouse gas emissions," the Finance Committee wrote in a summary of the article. "Further, building upon the work completed through the municipal vulnerability and preparedness program, the plan will identify ways to reduce the impacts of climate change on critical infrastructure. Finally, the document will provide resources, information and suggestions that individual residents can use to help reduce their carbon footprint."

Shrewsbury wouldn't be the first local community to pass a climate change order through Town Meeting.

Last month, Sudbury Town Meeting approved a measure declaring a climate emergency, and advising the town manager to hire a sustainability director. Through the Maynard Select Board, the group Green Maynard got a town meeting article declaring a climate emergency and urging the town to create a climate action plan. Hamilton Town Meeting in April passed a nonbinding resolution to make the town carbon-neutral by 2040.

Shrewsbury's climate change article will need a simple majority of Town Meeting members to pass. The Finance Committee has recommended its passage.

A separate article before Shrewsbury Town Meeting will also address an environmental issue: the damage or destruction of trees. The new tree bylaw would make it a misdemeanor to harm public trees, and establish a Shrewsbury Forestry Committee.

Shrewsbury's 2022 Town Meeting begins at 8:30 a.m. Saturday at the Oak Middle School Auditorium, 45 Oak Street. A pre-meeting forum will take place Thursday at 6 p.m. at the same location.