State officials attend grand opening of Fish and Game Westborough Field Headquarters

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(l to r) Representative Carolyn Dykama (D-Holliston), Energy and Environmental Secretary Maeve Vallely Bartlett, Representative Danielle Gregoire (D-Marlborough) and Senator Jamie Eldridge (D-Acton) at the grand opening of the Department of Fish and Game Westborough Field Headquarters
(l to r) Representative Carolyn Dykama (D-Holliston), Energy and Environmental Secretary Maeve Vallely Bartlett, Representative Danielle Gregoire (D-Marlborough) and Senator Jamie Eldridge (D-Acton) at the grand opening of the Department of Fish and Game Westborough Field Headquarters

Westborough – Senator Jamie Eldridge (D-Acton), Representative Carolyn Dykema (D-Holliston), Representative Danielle Gregoire (D-Marlborough), Governor Deval Patrick and Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Maeve Vallely Bartlett, attended the grand opening ceremony of the Department of Fish and Game (DFG) Westborough Field Headquarters and environmental education center Dec. 20. The facility will serve as the head office for the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (DFW) and the Office of Fishing and Boating Access and is the first zero net energy office building in Massachusetts.

“As the State Senator representing Westborough, and a strong advocate for protecting open space and combating climate change, it’s a real honor to have the newly upgraded Department of Fish and Wildlife Field Headquarters in Westborough for the general public to use and enjoy,” Eldridge said. “The first zero net energy building in Massachusetts is a perfect example of Governor Patrick’s vision and lasting legacy of protecting the environment, and doing our part to move away from fossil fuels. Additionally, I would like to recognize that the improvements to this building are in part due to one of my mentors, former State Senator and Environmental Secretary Bob Durand, who remains a hero for conservationists, hunters and fishermen and woman of Massachusetts.”

The sustainable design of the building includes geothermal heating and cooling, solar generated electricity, continuous insulation, triple-glazed windows, day-lighting and solar control. The building also includes a number of other sustainable design elements, including on-site storm water recharge and use of low maintenance native plantings. The building is designed to achieve a LEED platinum certification.

The facility overlooks the 900-acre Westborough Wildlife Management Area, featuring scenic views of the conservation land and offering opportunities for indoor and outdoor education and recreation. In addition to office space, there are a number of special features that enhance the productivity of DFG and its divisions. The new building provides lab space, meeting rooms, public space, engineering work space, education rooms and classrooms. The central location of the office also provides a convenient venue for DFW to offer public programs on fish and wildlife conservation topics. Construction on the project began in December 2012.

“Environmental protection has always been a hallmark of Massachusetts. The incorporation of such environmentally sensitive policies into a new state building is further proof that Massachusetts is leading the way in environmental policy and energy efficiency,” Dykema noted. “This new field headquarters is making history as the first zero net energy office building in the commonwealth and I am so proud it is located right here in Westborough.”

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