Panel Preps Fair, Awaits City Manager On BERDO

Environment and Energy Efficiency Committee · Meeting of August 17, 2026

WATERTOWN — The Watertown Environment and Energy Efficiency Committee prepped for a September outreach fair and pressed for movement on a paused building-energy ordinance. Energy Manager Silas Feiler said the city's Watertown Electricity Choice program has saved enrolled customers roughly $15 million since 2019 across about 13,000 meters, with new rates coming in December that staff plan to advertise this fall. He also reported six new electric connector buses now running city routes and a new DPW solar array about to begin construction.

Sustainability Manager Laurel Schwab said Fair on the Square, set for September 19, will pilot vendor rules under the city's "skip the stuff" ordinance, barring single-use condiments. On BERDO, co-chair Ellen said the ordinance has been "somewhat paused" by the city manager's office, with citizen advocates still awaiting a meeting with the manager, identified only as George.

In the full story:

• Roll Call And July Minutes
• Fair On The Square: Recruiting A New Member And Planning A Film Screening
• Venue Scouting: The New High School And The Parker Building
• Sustainability Manager's Report: Piloting Green Rules At City Events
• Advertising The December Watertown Electricity Choice Rate Change
• Energy Manager's Report: Heat Pumps, Solar, LED Retrofits And Electric Buses
• Victory Field: Track Status And Stadium Lighting Controls
• BERDO: Advocates Still Awaiting A Meeting With The City Manager
• — Laurel Schwab, Sustainability Manager
• Looking Ahead: A Push For A Long-Term Committee Plan
• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report: 2,562 words

Source: the Environment and Energy Efficiency Committee meeting of August 17, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.

Checked against the record: before publication this article was automatically compared with the meeting transcript.