Mass. awards grants for weatherization

BOSTON – Two Bristol County, Mass., housing authorities received a combined $244,725 this week to undertake upgrades to their heating systems.
Gov. Deval L. Patrick announced the grants to the Fairhaven and Norton housing authorities Monday. They were two of 12 housing authorities in the Bay State that shared $1.7 million in weatherization assistance that came from federal stimulus funds.
The “awards will not only help keep our environment clean, but these heating system upgrades will boost business, put people to work and improve conditions for families living in state public housing,” Patrick said.
Fairhaven Housing Authority Executive Director Krisanne Sheedy said the organization will use its $139,295 to replace boilers at the Green Meadows Building 100, an elderly housing complex, and replace furnaces at a six-family housing complex. The existing boilers at Green Meadows date back to 1971, when the authority opened the facility. The furnaces are 21 years old.
“We’re thrilled,” Sheedy said.
The Norton Housing will spend its $105,430 on replacing 14 gas burners and water heaters at its family housing on Jacob’s Way. The housing opened in 1991 but the equipment dates back to 1988, Executive Director Marge Fricano said.
Fricano said the new equipment is expected to be more energy efficient and cut utility bills for residents.
Both authorities expect to have the new equipment in place by the end of the year.