At our next Town Meeting, Deerfield can take three straightforward votes that together would qualify us for more than $1 million in state grants — money that can offset town operating costs at a time when our tax burden is increasing. To access that funding, we need to pass the three articles that make Deerfield a Designated Climate Leader Community: adopting the specialized energy code, adopting a zero-emission vehicle first policy, and signing the fossil fuel-free pledge.
These are not radical proposals. They are pragmatic ones. Each builds on work Deerfield has already done to reduce energy use and modernize town operations.
The specialized energy code is the piece that tends to spark debate, so let’s be clear about it. It applies only to new construction, not existing homes or businesses. It doesn’t ban oil or gas, and it doesn’t tell anyone what to do with their current property. What it does is set a higher standard for energy performance in new buildings — ensuring that what we build now won’t be obsolete or unaffordable to heat and cool in ten years. More than 90 Massachusetts towns have already adopted it, including many of our neighbors. They’re finding that construction costs remain comparable, and that homeowners and businesses see lower operating costs from day one.
The zero-emission vehicle first policy is just good fiscal planning. It directs the town to consider electric or hybrid options when replacing municipal vehicles—nothing more. If a fully electric option isn’t practical for a given use, we can still choose another model. But when it is, we’ll save money on fuel and maintenance over time.
The Fossil Fuel-Free Pledge is a simple commitment: that we’ll keep looking for opportunities to cut energy waste and reduce emissions.
Taken together, these three votes position Deerfield for significant new state funding, strengthen our eligibility for additional programs, and keep us competitive with other communities making similar moves.
Becoming a climate leader doesn’t change who we are — it continues a long tradition of careful planning and stewardship. Historic Deerfield reminds us every day that the decisions people made centuries ago still shape how we live now. The choices we make today will do the same for those who come after us.
At this Town Meeting, let’s vote yes, and keep Deerfield moving forward with the same steady judgment that’s guided this town for generations.
Emily Gaylord, Andrea Leibson, Jack Wileden and Erika Higgins Ross live in Deerfield.