Panel hears update on new heat pump program

Environment and Energy Efficiency Committee · Meeting of June 15, 2026

WATERTOWN — The Watertown Environment and Energy Efficiency Committee heard an update on a new city heat pump incentive program and reviewed draft bylaws. Laurel Schwab told members the "Electrify Watertown" campaign, funded by a Massachusetts Clean Energy Center grant, will pay $2,500 stipends to trained resident "heat pump coaches" and offer $1,000 installation grants to up to 20 households, targeting renters and lower-income residents through 2027. Energy Manager Silas Filer reported the city locked in new Watertown Electricity Choice rates of 15.990 cents per kilowatt hour starting in December, saying "I won the bid at the lowest price for the best service," and said the new high school's opening remains pushed to August because of a utility voltage problem.

The committee took no votes on its draft protocols, deferring further edits to a future meeting.

In the full story:

• Meeting Administration and Roll Call
• Committee Vacancy
• Draft Committee Protocols
• Electrify Watertown Heat Pump Program
• Environmental and Climate Outreach Updates
• Energy Manager Report
• High School Energy Systems
• New Business and Next Meeting
• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report: 2,965 words

Source: the Environment and Energy Efficiency Committee meeting of June 15, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.

Checked against the record: before publication this article was automatically compared with the meeting transcript. It was corrected where it differed.