Press Release

Press Release  Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards $2.1 Million to Improve Communities Land Use Practices

For immediate release:
5/22/2025
  • Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs

Media Contact

Danielle Burney, Deputy Communications Director

BOSTON — The Healey-Driscoll Administration today announced over $2.1 million in grant funding for 52 projects aimed at improving community land use practices through the Planning Assistance Grant Program. This program, administered through the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA), equips municipalities with the resources they need to adopt smart land use regulations that promote conservation, sustainable housing and economic development, and climate resilience. 

With this investment, communities will have the resources they need to promote efficient use of land, create more housing options, and address climate change. Specifically, the funding will enable municipalities to implement programs that lower resource consumption by encouraging energy efficiency, using renewable resources, and optimizing land and water use for development. By focusing on these approaches, communities can save money, protect the environment, and enhance their quality of life. 

“This funding will help our communities plan to grow, develop, and conserve,” said EEA Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “We are giving local leaders the tools to work with residents and experts, helping them to develop practical plans that improve land use and increase housing options.” 

“I’m pleased to learn that the Town of Bridgewater has been awarded $40,000 for an open space and recreation plan update. Through this Planning Assistance Grant Program, Bridgewater has been given the opportunity to expand public space, creating innovative and modern facilities that optimize access,“ said State Senator Bill Driscoll Jr. (D- Norfolk, Plymouth and Bristol).“Thank you, Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs – I’m always happy to see communities in my district presented with opportunity to develop open space, creating a more livable and engaging space for residents.

The Planning Assistance Grant Program will also help local governments engage the public and find expert help. This support allows municipalities to implement smart land use practices that align with Massachusetts' Sustainable Development Principles and comply with the Zoning Act. 

Projects receiving a Planning Assistance Grant are: 

ApplicantCommunity Project DescriptionTotal Grant Amount
AmherstAmherstConnectivity plan at Atkins Corner - trail system plan$23,000
BarreBarrePhase 2 Master Plan for Barre$50,000
BelmontBelmontBelmont MBTA 3A Mixed-Use Development Zoning$15,000
Berkshire Regional Planning Commission200-300 locations in Berkshire CountyPriority Redevelopment Sites Strategy for Berkshire County$37,500
Berkshire Regional Planning CommissionGreat BarringtonOpen Space and Recreation Plan Update$37,500
Berkshire Regional Planning CommissionLeeDowntown zoning modernization$41,250
Berkshire Regional Planning CommissionPittsfield Open Space and Recreation Plan Update$41,250
Berkshire Regional Planning CommissionSheffieldHousing Planning Implementation$32,900
Berlin BerlinZoning Bylaw and Subdivision Regulations update$50,000
BridgewaterBridgewaterOpen Space and Recreation Plan update$40,000
Central Massachusetts Regional Planning CommissionMendon & MillburySubdivision Regulations Update$14,000
Central Massachusetts Regional Planning CommissionSpencer,  
East Brookfield, North Brookfield, and West Brookfield
Quaboag River Valley Aquatic Invasives Study$28,000
CharltonCharltonHousing Production Plan (HPP)$16,000
ChelmsfordChelmsfordResilience and Sustainability Design Guideline Project$50,000
DracutDracutZoning Bylaw Update & Outreach$50,000
DunstableDunstableOpen Space and Recreation Plan update$20,000
East LongmeadowEast LongmeadowDesign services for Center Town District planning process$22,000
EgremontEgremontPlanning & Zoning Updates$50,000
EssexEssexOpen Space and Recreation Plan update$46,700
FoxboroughFoxboroughEnhance Zoning Bylaws$15,000
Franklin Regional Council of GovernmentsGreenfieldResilient River Corridor Program in Franklin County$100,000
GardnerGardnerHousing Production Plan$32,000
GranbyGranbyUpdate Zoning bylaws$50,000
HadleyHadleySmart Growth Zoning bylaw amendment$22,500
HollistonHollistonClimate Action Plan$50,000
HolyokeHolyokeOpen Space and Recreation Plan$23,900
KingstonKingstonUpdated Housing Production  
Plan
$44,000
LongmeadowLongmeadowAccessory Dwelling Unit (ADU)  
Bylaw with Design Standards/Guidelines
$50,000
Metropolitan Area Planning CouncilArlington, Boston, Brookline, Cambridge, Chelsea, Everett, Malden,  
Medford, Melrose, Newton, Quincy, Revere, Somerville, Watertown, and Winthrop
Housing task force / affordable housing implementation project$45,000
Metropolitan Area Planning CouncilMaldenOpen Space and Recreation Plan$20,796
Metropolitan Area Planning CouncilStoughtonClimate action and resilience plan $50,000
Montachusett Regional Planning CommissionAshby Getting Ashby compliant with Section 3A of the Zoning Act$25,000
Montachusett Regional Planning CommissionTownsendSite Plan Review Special Permit Zoning Review$25,000
Montachusett Regional Planning CommissionWorcester CountyTechnical assistance to the Worcester County Mill Town Caucus on planning for former mill sites$30,000
MontagueMontagueOpen Space and Recreation Plan $34,000
NeedhamNeedhamLow Impact Development (LID) Parking Requirements Review to Reduce Impervious Cover and Support Climate Resiliency in Needham$45,000
NorthbridgeNorthbridgeTransfer of Development Rights bylaw $24,000
Northern Middlesex Council of GovernmentsLowellRegional housing plan for greater Lowell$100,000
OrangeOrangeOpen Space and Recreation Plan$10,000
OrleansOrleansHousing Plan and Economic Development Plan$46,500
PittsfieldPittsfieldCommunity food system study$23,900
ShrewsburyShrewsburyShrewsbury’s Neighborhood Decarbonization program $50,000
SomervilleSomervilleEnergy Transition Policy Economic Impact Study$50,000
Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development DistrictSoutheast - 27 member cities and towns.2-year study to explore land use and land cover (LULC) data and regional parcel records to measure land use change over time. $148,000
SterlingSterlingRevise zoning bylaw | multi-family housing$6,300
SwanseaSwanseaZoning and design guidelines for mixed-use neighborhoods $50,000
TruroTruroZoning Task Force project$50,000
WalpoleWalpoleEconomic development study / zoning district and bylaw updates$44,232
WarrenWarrenPhase II update of Warren Master Plan: Circulation, open space and recreation, etc.$50,000
West BridgewaterWest BridgewaterZoning By-Laws to reach compliance with the MBTA Communities Multi-Family  
Zoning requirements
$50,000
WestfordWestfordUpdates to Open Space and Recreation Plan$50,000
WoburnWoburnHousing Production Plan (HPP) $22,500 

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  • Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs 

    EEA seeks to protect, preserve, and enhance the Commonwealth’s environmental resources while ensuring a clean energy future for the state’s residents. Through the stewardship of open space, protection of environmental resources, and enhancement of clean energy, the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs works tirelessly to make Massachusetts a wonderful place to live, work, and raise a family.
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