JULY NEWSLETTER

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Congratulations to Green Hudson’s Own Tom Green

Thanks and Congratulations to Green Hudson member Tom Green whose submission of a grant to the Massachusetts Department of Conservation has resulted in funding to the town of $119,000! The funds will support the extension of the Mass Central Rail Trail from the end of the EVERSOURCE/DCR project at the Assabet River Rail Trail trailhead through Hudson to the border of Berlin. Thanks also to the Town and Hudson BID for their matching grant funds of $36,000 and $5,000 respectively.

Many studies have found that when residents have nearby access to safe and well-maintained routes for walking and biking they are much more likely to leave their car at home for trips in their local community. The recent report from Hudson’s Ad-hoc Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee lists the priority destinations in Town that were identified by their community survey. This grant will look at the best connections from the trail to those destinations.

In addition to the positive environmental impact of reducing traffic on local streets, there are significant positive health and economic impacts to be gained from the Mass Central Rail Trail which this grant helps to extend. A report released in May shows the current status of the 104-mile trail from Boston to Northampton, how it connects to other trails in the state, and the many benefits that come from such a long-distance trail.

Anyone interested in getting more information about or serving on a permanent Bike and Pedestrian Committee should send an email to [email protected].

Native Pollinators at Centennial Beach

Say Thank You! Have you been to the renovated Centennial Beach yet this summer? A recent visit revealed beautiful gardens planted with native pollinators. Bees and butterflies were seen happily pollinating. Let’s thank Hudson DPW and Recreation Departments for having considered native pollinators when replanting the gardens. The number for DPW is 978-562-9333; and for the Rec Department: 978-568-9642. Or drop by and say thanks. Tell them Green Hudson mentioned them in the newsletter.

Hudson Fest—Less Waste, More Fun

Green Hudson had a great presence at Hudson Fest this year. We had an information table, a recycling quiz, and a plastics free raffle. We had lots of interest and lively conversations with our Hudson neighbors.

Last year we introduced recycling containers which our members staffed to make sure they were clean. A GH member staffed all 3 trash/recycle stations for the entire duration of the festival. This year we added glass recycling AND composting! Thank You! Black Earth Composting. We couldn’t have done it without you. Black Earth who serve over 100+ families in Hudson so far, donated the use of their green bins and the compostable bags they use. They were extremely helpful and picked up all the bags of compostables the following week including paper plates, cups, and containers from food trucks.

And—Kudos to us from the DPW! The DPW staff person working the event said that because of composting and recycling, the trash going to the landfill was reduced by about half!!!

For 2024, continuing toward our 2026 goal of a waste-free festival, our next step is to approach the Chamber of Commerce about how best to work with vendors in requesting them to use compostables and to decrease their use of single-use plastics. If you would like to help in this effort and/or know anyone on the Chamber of Commerce who might lend their support, contact Stu Ervin at [email protected]. Hudson Fest 2023 was a successful day for Green Hudson. Now, onto 2024 with less waste and more fun.

Massachusetts Clean Energy Incentives: Deadline July 30th

For any Hudson homeowner, owning a single-family or up to a 4-unit multi-family home that is heated with natural gas, the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center has a program which supports homeowners in transitioning their homes away from fossil fuels. Pilot participants will receive a free customized plan for their homes to become more energy efficient and fully electrified, as well as generous ($10,000 to $30,000) financial incentives to implement these home improvements.

If your home is in the yellow region in the map above, you will be given higher priority if more people apply for the program than can be funded by the available funds. Email [email protected] for the exact streets covered by this priority incentive. Apply here.

Take Action! Clean Energy Bills Need Your Help

Now is the time to take action to move clean energy legislation out of committees and on to the next step in Massachusetts legislative process.

Call or email Rep Hogan (617-722-2600, [email protected]) or Senator Eldridge (617-722-1120, [email protected]) asking them to contact their colleagues on key Joint Committees (Telecommunications, Utility and Energy, Environment and Natural Resources, and Transportation) encouraging them to take action to pass key legislation that will:

• Cut greenhouse gas emissions from buildings

• Get fossil fuel providers to support heat pump installations

• Stop the expansion of gas infrastructure

• Turn gas utilities into providers of clean geothermal heat

Here is a list of key environmental legislative bills: ECA Mass priority bills.

Committee Reports

Public Education and Outreach Committee: Focusing on efforts to get input from town residents for GH’s Climate Action Plan; Exploring options for increased support of environmental and sustainability goals from both residents and Hudson town government. Organizes tabling and educational efforts at local events, i.e. Library Earth Day, Hudson Fest. Organizing future speaker’s series – “Climate Cafes” to inform and discuss topics pertinent to the Climate Action Plan. What we need most right now are people to line up locations where there is already a community “location,” like a condo association, a church group, etc. New committee members always welcome. For more information contact Jeanette Millard at [email protected].

Plastics Reduction Committee: Polystyrene reduction is current primary focus. To that end, members of our Committee recently met with the Hudson Board of Health and gave them a short presentation on polystyrene reduction. We hope they will agree to sponsor a polystyrene reduction petition, or outlaw polystyrene and other non-recyclable materials from restaurants and stores. They asked many questions and agreed to discuss the issues and get back to us. Meanwhile, we now have surveys with both Spanish and Portuguese translations in hand. The goal of the surveys is to determine which restaurants are using styrofoam, black plastic vs. recyclable and degradable materials, and if they are using alternatives to plastic straws and utensils. We are looking for more folks to speak with restaurant managers and gather the survey information. Contact Elisa Pearmain for more information or to help, [email protected]. This committee will not meet formally until fall.

Climate and Energy Committee: Climate and Energy Committee: Focused on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, reducing the use of fossil fuels and promoting clean energy in Hudson. Collaborating with and supporting the Hudson school system in its efforts to expand the use of electric school buses. Advocating for the town regarding installation of EV charging stations as well as speaking with business and large parking lot owners regarding same. Advocating for increase town use of electric vehicles, and other actions to reduce Hudson’s greenhouse gas emissions. For more information and/or to attend a meeting contact: Brian White at [email protected].

RESOURCES

How a Bill Becomes Law

Legislative issues are being covered by the media more than ever before, but have you wondered how a bill before the Massachusetts legislators becomes a law? Click here to learn how.

Helping Native Pollinators

Planting native pollinators is so important to support pollinator recovery. The link here is based on the research of Dr. Robert Gegear of UMass Dartmouth and is specific for plants that support endangered New England bees and butterflies. Click here.

Helping Endangered Native Pollinators

To help you find these plants—courtesy of Sudbury Valley Trustees—click here.

Massachusetts Chapter of Elders Climate Action

Not just for elders! In addition to much good work/activism, the Massachusetts chapter hosts an ongoing monthly zoom series, Deep Dialogues, on a wide range of eco topics. You can sign up and check out the archive of past events at Mass ECA Deep Dialogues.

You are invited

This newsletter is a work in progress. Your comments, suggestions for articles, resources of note, relevant books to recommend, etc. ... please send on to Linda Miller, [email protected].

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For more information on Green Hudson ... visit our website at www.greenhudson.org.

The Assabet River flows through the town of Hudson providing a powerful reminder of why we want to protect the beauty the earth provides. Scientists are alarmed as we witness climate change happening and we need to do more to put a stop to the threat. Join Green Hudson now to learn more.