Stretch Energy Code Debate Heats Up in Marshfield

Building Commissioner defends code benefits while Select Board raises concerns about amendments and future implications

MARSHFIELD - June 9 and 11 - The Marshfield Select Board discusses the implications of the state's Stretch Energy Code with Building Commissioner Andrew Stewart, who explains the code's benefits while addressing concerns about potential cost increases for homeowners and builders.

Stewart describes the Stretch Energy Code as a set of energy efficiency provisions designed to make heating and cooling more efficient, lower usage costs, and reduce emissions.

"Ultimately the goal is to make things more efficient, to lower costs, to lower emissions, lower our impact on the planet," Stewart tells the board. "It is part of a larger agenda of protecting the planet, climate change, lowering global emissions, part of the Global Climate Act, I believe, and it's part of the Massachusetts agenda to become net zero by 2050."

The Stretch Energy Code was adopted by Marshfield at a 2016 town meeting and is currently used by 301 of the 351 towns in Massachusetts, according to Stewart.

Select Board Chair Eric Kelley expresses concerns about the amendment process, noting that the code has been amended approximately six times since 2015 without requiring town meeting approval for each change.

"My concern is that we have loose language that approves something that looks okay, but then we don't realize the future impact, especially when it's being amended," Kelley says.

Stewart defends the amendment process, emphasizing its transparency.

"The amendment process as far as codes, especially to the stretch code or building codes, is actually very public," Stewart says. "They post all sorts of information on their website. So does the Board of Building and Regulation of Standards."

Michael Rossi, an energy code specialist with Performance Systems Development, joins the meeting via Zoom to highlight safety benefits of the Stretch Energy Code.

"When it comes to life safety, one of the benefits of the stretch code as opposed to the base code is a lot of the new construction projects that go through the process are third-party certified," Rossi explains. "A big part of it is indoor air quality."

Kelley suggests the possibility of modifying the town meeting article to require future amendments to be approved at town meeting, which Stewart confirms is possible.

State Representative Patrick Kearney proposes legislation to eliminate the North River Commission, citing concerns about its effectiveness, while local officials and commission members express opposition.

In a letter to the Select Board, Kearney states his legislation would transfer the commission's responsibilities to municipal conservation commissions, including Marshfield's.

"This proposal is based on growing concern that the current structure of the NRC is not serving our communities as effectively as it could," Kearney writes. "The commission operates with only one part-time staff member and depends on the Department of Conservation and Recreation for legal counsel and enforcement."

Kearney also cites concerns about enforcement actions taken by the commission, including "placing liens on private property and in some cases acted outside of its jurisdiction as defined by the North River Corridor boundaries."

Maryanne Leonard, Marshfield's representative on the North River Commission, defends the commission's work and expresses frustration that Kearney has not met with the commission directly.

"If you haven't been up the North River, I would welcome you. We will take you for a ride up there to see what we do for the protection of that North River," Leonard says. "The town is so fortunate to have the North River."

Craig Hannafin, Chair of the Marshfield Conservation Commission and a board member of the North and South Rivers Watershed Association, emphasizes the unique role of the North River Commission.

"The North River Commission has been here since 1978. It protects the river corridor 300 feet on either side, which is a much greater protection than any of our wetland properties are afforded under the Wetlands Protection," Hannafin explains.

William Finn, a special consultant to the Conservation Commission who helped establish the North River Commission, explains the commission's focus on scenic value.

"The North River Commission is designed to protect the scenic value of the North River. The Wetlands, the Conservation Commission is designed to protect resource areas that include all kinds of wetland values and resource areas," Finn says.

Select Board member Trish Simpson expresses support for the commission.

"One important aspect of this commission is to keep the uniformity of the river, and if you're allowing the communities to take that over, then people will set their own rules," Simpson says.

The Select Board decides to wait for more information before taking a formal position on the legislation.

The Select Board also:

- Approved a request from the Recreation and Trails Committee to hold the fourth annual Carolina Hill Mountain Bike Classic on August 17, 2025

- Approved a temporary liquor license for the Marshfield Agricultural and Horticultural Society for a veterans benefit concert

- Accepted several donations for veterans services and the Ventress Memorial Library

- Approved a common victuals license for Pelican Snowballs at 1289 Ocean Street

June 11 - Marshfield is moving ahead with plans to install poured-in-place (PIP) rubber surfaces at local playgrounds to meet ADA requirements.

The Department of Public Works has $750,000 in funding for the project, which aims to make playgrounds accessible to all kids, including those with disabilities.

At a recent Select Board meeting, DPW Superintendent Shawn Patterson and Building Commissioner Andrew Stewart outlined their plans to resurface playgrounds.

"We believe our plan will address three key issues: ADA compliance, safety for children, and low-maintenance surfaces," Patterson explained.

So far, they've checked out two school playgrounds - Governor Winslow and Daniel Webster - and plan to look at the rest soon.

Some locals are worried about how hot PIP surfaces can get and whether they're safe. Marcy Strazer Concannon, a parent, said she measured temperatures of 156 degrees on existing PIP surfaces during a recent heatwave, compared to 129 degrees on wood chips.

Meghan Niland, whose 6-year-old daughter uses a wheelchair, countered, "I can tell you for sure, my daughter's wheelchair can't get over wood chips."

Select Board Chair Eric Kelley said, "People have different opinions on this. Let's hear everyone out before we decide on the best plan."

DPW Board Chair Diane Jordan added, "We're working on this every day. We made the decision last week in our working group and have been moving forward since then."

The DPW wants to start the bidding process after July 4 and hopes to finish work on five playgrounds before school starts in September.

Town officials say they're open to community input, but ultimately, the DPW has the authority to go ahead with the PIP surfacing project.

Full meetings available via MCM. June 9 and June 11