Everett to use $200,000 state Green Communities grant for DPW and municipal energy upgrades

The Everett City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to accept $200,000 in state Green Communities grant funding to reduce energy use at municipal facilities, including the DPW garage.

Planning and development director Matt Lattanzi said the city conducted an energy assessment and the identified measures add to $200,000, which matches the grant. "So there would be no out of pocket expense for the city," Lattanzi said, explaining a brief breakdown: roughly $63,333 for an air-source heat pump, $6,561 for weatherization and $130,106 for infrared heater installation in the DPW garage bays. He also said the funds must be expended by Sept. 30, 2025.

Councilors asked about building selection and whether the DPW structure was appropriate; Lattanzi said per-capita usage stood out in an audit and the DPW represented a cost-effective target for energy reductions. The council took a roll-call vote and approved the order 10-0.

Next steps: staff will proceed with vendor selection and project scheduling under the grant conditions; the administration will track compliance with the DOER Green Communities program and the Sept. 30, 2025 expenditure deadline.