MARION — The Elizabeth Taber Library in Marion has been awarded a $102,000 grant from the state for projects to increase the historic building's energy efficiency, town officials announced Tuesday.

The funding comes from Massachusetts' Green Communities grant program as part of an initiative to help communities reduce long-term energy costs.

According to the announcement, around $80,000 of the funds will go toward replacing antiquated heating and cooling equipment on the library's first floor.

The project is expected to save the town more than $3,300 in electricity and natural gas costs annually, paying for itself in around 24 years.

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Another grant-funded project to seal and insulate ductwork in the library's basement will cost around $16,000.

It will save the town around $900 in natural gas annually, according to the announcement.

The remaining $6,000 in grant funds will go towards administrative costs for the projects.

Marion is one of 64 communities to receive Green Communities funds in the most recent round of grant awards totaling over $8 million.

Massachusetts cities and towns must meet five criteria to be designated as Green Communities.

These include making it easier to build renewable or alternative energy facilities, reducing energy use by 20%, and buying fuel-efficient vehicles for municipal use, among other criteria.

Around 87% of the state's population lives in its 280 Green Communities.

 

"Since being named a Green Community we have worked to identify and complete projects that will improve our energy efficiency town-wide, and this work continues with these projects at Elizabeth Taber Library," said Marion Facilities Director Shaun Cormier.

"We are grateful to the Baker-Polito Administration and Department of Energy Resources for this funding and their continued support of our efforts."

The Elizabeth Taber Library was built in 1872 and gifted to the town by its wealthy benefactor, Elizabeth Taber.

Since then it has undergone several additions and renovations.

 

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