December 2025
Members participated in an in-person event sponsored by the Shrewsbury Planning Department that asked residents their wishes for future economic development along Route 140, Route 9 and Main Street. Members stressed the concept of connectivity in habitats for birds, pollinators and plants, so that natural cycles can thrive.
On December 9th, members visited the WIN Waste Innovations waste-to-energy site in Millbury and the ash monofil on Route 20 in Shrewsbury. WIN is the company that has managed Shrewsbury’s post-recycling municipal solid waste for 40 years. The sheer volume of waste being processed was stunning.
Members continued to generated ideas for projects in 2026, prior to setting priorities.
Members participated in a Health Fair at the Shrewsbury High School on December 9th, providing information for students on the health impacts of climate change.
November 2025
Tipping Point 01545 members attended the November meeting of the Shrewsbury Sustainability Committee to hear the discussion of a possible collaboration between the Committee and MassEnergize. That discussion continues.
Members began to contribute ideas for projects and priorities for 2026.
New members were welcomed.
October 2025
On October 7th, the Sustainability Committee hosted Nathan Scott, Executive Director of MassEnergize to give a presentation on the benefits to the Committee and the town of forming a working relationship with MassEnergize.
The Tipping Point 01545 website was moved to a new platform, a partial update took place and the domain name was renewed.
September 2025
Tipping Point 01545 used social media to invite Shrewsbury residents to participate in a survey and focus group regarding Electric Vehicle adoption in the Commonwealth. The purpose was to improve the website hosted by the Commonwealth to inform residents about EV’s and increase adoption to meet the 2030 Climate Goals.
On Saturday September 27, Tipping Point 01545 members hosted a tent with a climate game, climate-friendly prizes and information on electrification at the Spirit of Shrewsbury EXPO.
The new Climate Goals Tracker Tool was released, a collaboration of Mass Climate Action Network (MCAN), Green Energy Consumers Alliance and MassEnergize. This powerful tool helps towns in MA learn where they stand in meeting the Commonwealth’s climate goals with respect to EV adoption, Solar installations, and Heat Pump installations, and how much more needs to be done to meet the State’s goals each year.
Members spoke with the Chair of the High School Building Committee about the benefit of using specific language in the RFP for the planned renovation and addition of the building. This is to be certain that low embodied carbon materials are incorporated from the outset of the planning process, to reduce the carbon footprint of the building.
In collaboration with the Trails Committee and a member of the Community Preservation Committee, members spoke with members of the Select Board about our wish to have a streamlined process for Shrewsbury residents to donate land for Conservation purposes.
August 2025
On August 28, members met with Chris Roy, Rebecca Keane and Evan Syers to hear about initial plans for sustainability for the SELCO headquarters building and property that is in the early planning stages.
The official Tipping Point 01545 tablecloth was created, to be used for all tabling events.
July 2025
Members began to discuss the wish for funding to expand the reach of our work. The costs and complexity of attaining 501c3 or Fiscal Sponsorship designations were explored.
June 2025
Aware that the Greater Worcester Community Foundation was looking into a collaboration with Mass Audubon on an initiative to gather climate advocates in Worcester County, a member attended the Annual Meeting of the Greater Worcester Foundation to learn about those efforts. We would like to be included in a collaboration and access any available funding.
May 2025
Members attended the Shrewsbury Sustainability Committee meeting to request that the Committee invite the non-profit MassEnergize to present in the future, to discuss a possible collaboration with the Committee and the Town, to boost heat pump and EV adoption in Shrewsbury.
Members provided information about electrification and rebates at the May 17th Fix-It Clinic at the Shrewsbury Public Library.
Members attended the May 19th Annual Andover WECAN day-long forum, connecting with climate advocates in Massachusetts and sharing strategies.
Members attended the Climate Fair at the Framingham Middle School to network with educators, members of the Framingham Sustainability Committee, the Town’s Sustainability Manager and others.
2025 April
Shrewsbury Public Library Lobby Display ‘How Climate Change Makes Me Feel’ was created by the students of the Shrewsbury High School National Art Honor Society in collaboration with Tipping Point 01545. Tipping Point members provided posters for residents to write their response to the High School student art work, expressing their feelings about climate change and commitments they wished to make to work on behalf of the climate.
Tipping Point 01545 hosted a virtual Candidates Climate Forum on April 23rd. All candidates for Select Board were invited to talk for 15 minutes to answer our questions concerning sustainability and the environment in Shrewsbury, which were provided in advance.
Members joined SELCO at the annual Arbor Day Event on April 26 from 9 am to noon. Tipping Point 01545 hosted a table with a climate game and gave away 10 native Juneberry trees, stickers with a QR code linked to the Tipping Point 01545 website and information about electrification.
Members attended the second annual MassEnergize Changemakers Forum at Bentley College. We learned about the ways in which other Massachusetts communities benefit from the communication and organization tools offered by MassEnergize, a five year old non-profit, to accelerate movement towards electrification by residents.
2025 March
Members met with the Green Team which is charged with carrying out the goals of the Climate Action and Resilience Plan (CARP) for the Municipal Government, for an update on their progress.
Members prepared for the Shrewsbury Public Library display case for the entire month of April. In collaboration with Tipping Point 01545, Shrewsbury High School students who are members of the National Art Honor Society created a three-panel art work entitled ‘Growing a Better Future’ with a meaningful artist statement. On the table in front of the art work, hundreds of Library patrons responded to the art work by writing their feelings and thoughts about climate change.
Members designed and printed our first sticker in preparation for the SELCO Arbor Day Event. The sticker is designed to increase residents awareness of the benefits of transitioning from fossil fuels to town-wide residential electrification, a shift that SELCO facilitates with its very low electric rates and rebates. The sticker also aligns with the goals of the Climate Action and Resilience Plan (CARP), and the charge of the Shrewsbury Sustainability Committee.
Members together with staff of Shrewsbury Media Connection created two videos. One video is about the advantages of owning an electric vehicle. The second video created by Tipping Point 01545 members is about the types of home heat pumps: whole house heat pumps and mini splits, shown in a home in Shrewsbury, and narrated by the owner. Both videos can be found on the Shrewsbury Media Connection YouTube site.
2025 January
Members hosted the first Tipping Point 01545 Heat Pump Party at the home of a member. Seventy Town Meeting Members were invited to attend. A mini-split heat pump, a hybrid heat pump water heater and an induction cooktop were shown and members shared their experiences with these superior electrified technologies. Snacks and hot cider were offered.
Members met with SELCO managers to become updated on their initiatives for the coming year.
2024 Fall
The first two blog posts were added to the Tipping Point 01545 website. They are Transitioning to Heat Pumps, Part 1 and Part 2, with interviews with Shrewsbury residents who have replaced fossil fuel heating systems with whole house heat pumps, and mini-splits, both powered by electricity.
Members brainstormed and set priorities for 2025 initiatives. New members were welcomed.
2024 October
On October 2nd, the Shrewsbury Sustainability Committee, appointed by the Select Board, held its first meeting and decided to meet on a monthly basis on the first Tuesday of the month at 7 pm. Meetings are open to the public.
2024 September
Members participated in the 2024 Spirit of Shrewsbury Expo on September 28, held at Saint John’s High School. A climate-oriented fishing game gave attendees the chance to win prizes, including an induction cooktop, the Catan New Energies board game, a kite and Hot-Wheels Electric Vehicles for children. We engaged with residents to talk about heat pumps and induction stoves and handed out literature to support these efforts.
Members staffed a table at the Annual Electric Vehicle (EV) Show held at the Hebert Candy Mansion, coordinated by Shrewsbury resident and Tipping Point 01545 member Jeff Manning. Handouts regarding EV’s and other ways to reduce carbon emissions by electrification were provided.
2024 June
The Select Board appointed seven members to the Sustainability Committee. Two members will serve an initial three-year term, set to expire on June 30, 2027. Two members will serve an initial two-year term, set to expire on June 30, 2026 and two members will serve an initial one-year term set to expire June 30, 2025. A High School student member of the Committee will serve a one year term, set to expire on June 30, 2025. New members will then be appointed to 3 year terms.
2024 Early Summer
The Select Board voted to form a Sustainability Committee for Shrewsbury, consisting of seven residents, appointed to staggered terms.
2024 Month of April
Members created the annual April display in the entry of the Shrewsbury Public Library. The 2024 focus was ‘The Five Biggest Decisions That Really Matter”, for your health, your finances and the earth. The topics were: How You Cook Your Food, How You Heat and Cool Your Home, Where Your Power Comes From, What Kind of a Car You Drive, and How You Heat Your Water. Handouts with rebate sources, and SELCO brochures about reducing carbon emissions were provided.
2024 Early Spring
Members urged the Select Board to form a Sustainability Committee. The Committee would work to extend the goals of the Climate Action and Resilience Plan (CARP) to include residents and businesses. It would advance initiatives that focus on climate and environmental matters that impact public health, the built environment, vehicles, equipment, land use, solid waste and natural resources. The Committee would inform, educate and engage the community to reduce its climate and environmental impact.
2023 Fall
KLA completed the municipal CARP, All In Shrewsbury, which was developed with input from over 500 town residents and municipal employees. Although the Plan does not cover town-wide greenhouse gas emissions, All In Shrewsbury is a step forward for municipal decarbonization and resiliency, and reduces Shrewsbury’s contribution to climate change.
2023 Spring/Summer
Three members participated in the Climate Action Advisory Group led by KLA to evaluate strategies to reduce municipal climate pollution and improve resiliency.
2023 January
KLA began the greenhouse gas inventory for the municipal government, including all public buildings, vehicles, and energy use.
2022 Summer/Fall
Two members participated in interviewing and selecting Kim Lundgren Associates (KLA) to develop the Municipal CARP.
2021/2022 Winter
Members urged the Select Board to bring an Article to the May Town Meeting to fund the development of a town-wide CARP. The Select Board supported an Article to fund the development of CARP solely for the Municipal government, which passed with a nearly unanimous vote.
2021 Fall
Members began a conversation with the Shrewsbury Select Board about the need for a town-wide Climate Action and Resiliency Plan (CARP).
2021 Summer
SELCO announced a critical step towards town-wide decarbonization, The SELCO Net-Zero Roadmap: Carbon-Free by 2032. This Roadmap commits to increasing Shrewsbury’s supply of renewable energy which will reduce a significant portion of the town’s greenhouse gas emissions.
2021 Spring
Members brought a citizen’s petition to the May Town Meeting, urging the town to declare a Climate Emergency. The Declaration passed with strong support.
2020 Fall
Tipping Point 01545 was established as a local, volunteer climate and environmental group.
“Transformation is not accomplished by tentative wading at the edge.”
-Robin Wall Kimmerer