Wellesley earns award for clean energy, sustainability

Wellesley has been recognized by the state Department of Energy Resources for the town’s efforts to reduce its environmental impacts.

Earlier this month, the town received the Leading by Example Award, which “highlights leaders in the areas of clean energy and sustainability,” according to a statement posted to the town website.

Wellesley was chosen for the 12th annual award for programs that included an effort that donated surplus food to a local nonprofit to help families in need; a retrofit of street lights with energy-efficient LEDs; an initiative that resulted in creating rooftop solar power on 98 residences; and work to reduce greenhouse gas emissions at municipal buildings by 24 percent over the past decade, the statement said.

The town was also recognized for having an active Sustainable Energy Committee.

Laura Olton, chairwoman of the committee, said in a statement that the award is a “gratifying recognition of Wellesley’s townwide efforts on energy conservation, greenhouse gas emissions reduction, food rescue, and sustainable materials management.”

Along with Wellesley, this year’s recipients included the city of Salem; the University of Massachusetts Amherst; Salem State University; the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office; and the Metropolitan Area Planning Council.

Two individuals were also honored: Thomas Philbin, the energy manager for the town of Westwood, and James Latini, the chief engineer of the Department of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance Complex Operations Team, according to the Department of Energy Resources.