Priorities

We call on Hamilton, Wenham, and HWRSD to collaborate on the creation & support of a: 

 Joint Climate Action Committee, tasked with creating an inclusive Climate Action Plan.   

The committee should include one member from each of the following:   

• Hamilton Select Board 
• Wenham Select Board 
• HWRSD School Committee 
• HWRSD Capital and Finance Committee
• Two residents of Hamilton
• Two residents of Wenham 
• The liaison to MAPC in Hamilton
• The liaison to MAPC in Wenham      

Subcommittees can support the work of the committee & provide technical expertise.

Hamilton, Wenham and HWRSD must actively seek out collaboration on:  

• A Climate Action Plan to set us on a course to achieve Net Carbon Zero by 2040.   

- The plan should be created via a collaborative, transparent, and inclusive process that encourages the participation of all community members and local businesses.  

• Master Plans; there are Master Plan efforts pending or underway in both towns as well as the HWRSD.  The master plans must include climate action goals, net zero goals, and interim target for reducing fossil fuel use and increasing the production / purchase of clean energy such as solar and wind.    

• All of these plans should include Carbon neutral goals with both short and long term targets (ie, 25% by 2030) with specific measurable and attainable outcomes.

Community support is essential to demonstrating that residents of H-W care about these issues, and call upon our leaders to support climate action with strong commitments.  

While HWCAT is starting with a focus on municipal buildings & vehicle fleets (including town hall, school buses, and the school buildings) we also intend to engage / support the residents of H-W in supporting climate action through energy efficiency and shifting to clean energy.  This will likely include: 

Residential Solar 

Heat Pumps

Mass Saves 

Electric Vehicles

Cycling 

Waste Reduction/ Composting