Small works, measurable savings for Winchester schools and town buildings
The town of Winchester has been awarded a $90,094 grant from the Green Communities programme run by the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) to carry out energy efficiency measures in municipal buildings and schools.
The funding is being used to complete two specific projects already underway: finishing the replacement of ageing windows at the Mystic School and upgrading lighting at McCall Middle School. Winchester, which joined the Green Communities scheme in 2010, has now secured a total of more than $1.8 million from the programme since it first began applying for awards.
- Mystic School: Phase two of window replacements, supported by a $48,067 contribution from the Green Communities award, completes work begun with a 2024 Energy Efficiency Block Grant.
- McCall Middle School: Lighting updates to improve efficiency and reduce electricity use across municipal education premises.
- Historic building stock: The Mystic School dates from the 1920s with a 1950s addition; the older single-pane windows were causing drafts and higher heating costs.
"Winchester has proudly been a Green Communities municipality since 2010."
The new windows at the Mystic School will cut heating and electricity demand. The town estimates annual savings of 2,142 therms of natural gas and 167 kWh of electricity, which together amount to roughly $3,261 a year in reduced energy costs. School staff and users of the building — including the town's recreation services, pre-school provision and after-school programmes — have already noticed warmer and more comfortable conditions in spaces where phase one window work was completed.
Practical impact for users and budgets
For a council or school budget, savings in the low thousands of dollars a year can still be significant over the lifespan of new windows and lighting. Replacing inefficient single-pane frames in an older building is a standard energy-saving measure: in this case, the work also addresses comfort and usability concerns for staff and children that arise when classrooms become cold and draughty.
The town's approach combines state grant funding across different schemes. Phase one of the Mystic School work was funded through a 2024 Energy Efficiency Block Grant; the latest Green Communities award closes the loop on completing the second phase this summer. Being an early joiner to the Green Communities programme — Winchester was among the first ten municipalities to sign up — has helped the town access repeated rounds of support.
| Item | Estimated annual savings |
|---|---|
| Natural gas | 2,142 therms |
| Electricity | 167 kWh |
| Total estimated annual cost saving | $3,261 |
Beyond immediate bills, these works are part of a longer-term municipal strategy to reduce energy consumption across schools and town buildings. The Green Communities Division offers grants, technical support and regional coordinators to help towns plan and implement measures that cut energy use and costs.
What this means for residents
Local residents who use town facilities — particularly parents and staff connected with the Mystic School's nursery and after-school services — should see an improvement in indoor conditions following the completion of phase two. For the council and taxpayers, the continuing use of targeted external grants reduces the need for larger capital outlays from local budgets while delivering energy savings that compound over time.
Winchester's continuing success in securing funds from the Green Communities programme underlines a practical route for municipalities to tackle rising energy costs and improve the condition of older public buildings without placing the full financial burden on local council coffers.
