Marion's future as an energy-efficient town is still in the works, but the town's Energy Management Committee is pushing to educate residents on of becoming a "Green Community."

The Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources’ Green Communities Divisions presented in August to the the town an initiative to conserve and efficiently use energy with hopes of also qualifying for a grant program. To be applicable for the grant, the town must adopt a new real estate construction bylaw for special areas of land as well as purchase of fuel-efficient vehicles and establish an energy baseline for buildings.This code would require energy efficiency for new buildings or construction to homes.

Some criticisms of the Green Communities initiative include the town's control over zoning and the adoption of fuel-efficient town vehicles.

Chairman David Pearce said it is the committee’s intention to “inform our fellow citizens of the advantages of this particular program.”

On the changes that would be needed in the community to make this possible, Pearce said, “They all make eminent sense. They all give this town efficiency of operation.  We are trying to clean up our environment, and who can say no to that? Whatever discussions we have now, at least it’s a start. Rome wasn’t built in a day.”

Pearce added, “At least it’s moving forward and creating good legislation in our town that people can reasonably support.”

During the meeting the committee members stressed the importance of ongoing discussions with the other boards in order to gain their support.

In other town business:

Committee member Stephen Kokkins addressed concerns over energy audits throughout Marion.  Kokkins assured the other members  an energy audit would be cost effective while he also stressed the importance of maintaining a balance.

Additionally, committee member William Saltonstall Jr., related the payback of solar panels on his own home as very favorable.  Saltonstall said that during the last four months the panels have generated as much power as he has in his house.

For those who only reside in Marion during the summer, Saltonstall said to put a few solar panels on the house. Those panels, he said, will absorb enough energy for the two months those residents live in Marion.

The committee will next meet on Monday Nov. 28, during which each member plans to present their individual argument for why Marion must go “green.”