Municipal Opt-in Specialized Energy Code

Annual Town Meeting 2023 Article on New Energy Code

The Select Board and Climate Action Committee are co-sponsoring an article for Annual Town Meeting 2023 asking Town Meeting to adopt the  Municipal Opt-in Specialized Energy Code (Opt-in Code). Opt-in Code adoption is an action in Wellesley's  Climate Action Plan. If adopted, the Opt-in Code will benefit  Wellesley because it: 

  • Is a necessary step toward achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, a goal shared by the State of Massachusetts and federal government.
  • Encourages electrification and avoids costly retrofits by requiring new buildings that are not all-electric to prewire for future electrification. 
  • Offsets GHG emissions by requiring solar installation for some mixed-fuel projects (i.e., buildings with combustion equipment designed for fossil fuel use).

TWO Opt-in Code Zoom Webinars - presentation & roundtable discussion


The Opt-in Energy Code and New Construction in Wellesley

Zoom webinar for building professionals

Monday, March 6, 2023
 7 to 8:30 p.m.

Panelists for March 6 

Tom Catalano, AIA, Principal, Catalano Architects 

Mark Doughty, Principal, Thoughtforms

Ian Finlayson, Director, Energy Efficiency Division, MA Department of Energy Resources 

Hank Keating, AIA, President, Passive House Massachusetts 

Marybeth Martello, Ph.D., Sustainability Director, Town of Wellesley

Lara Pfadt, AIA, Senior Associate, Architect, and Sustainability Strategist, Finegold Alexander Architects 


March 6 webinar slides

March 6 webinar video

The Opt-in Code: What it Could Mean for New Buildings in Wellesley

Zoom webinar for the general public

Wednesday, March 8, 2023
 7 to 8:30 p.m.

Panelists for March  8

Tom Catalano, AIA, Principal, Catalano Architects 

Mark Doughty, Principal, Thoughtforms

Nick Falkoff, Owner and General Manager, Auburndale Builders 

Allen Hebert, Operations Manager, Facilities Management Department, Town of Wellesley

Hank Keating, AIA, President, Passive House Massachusetts 

Marybeth Martello, Ph.D., Sustainability Director, Town of Wellesley

Ellen Watts, FAIA, LEED AP


March 8 webinar slides

March 8 webinar video

Opt-in Code Reference Materials