State to give consumers another bite at appliance exchange

Even though the "Mass Save Great Appliance Exchange" ran out of $5.5 million in rebate reservations in a matter of hours on April 22, the state plans to give consumers another chance at savings this summer, according to a statement from the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs.

The rebates are aimed at getting energy-consuming appliances out of service and more energy-efficient ones into the hands of consumers.

Those who managed to get on the wait list for rebates last week will also see their rebate reservations filled, the state said.

Under the program, consumers had to get a reservation on a first-come, first-served basis before they could get a rebate on a dishwasher, clothes washer, refrigerator or freezer. Residents then snatched up 26,556 rebate reservations within two hours of the program's launch at 10 a.m., despite snags with the program's website and phone lines. The state also plans to fund all 12,731 wait-listed reservations.

"We are going to do a second round of energy appliance rebates in the summer," said Lisa Capone, a spokeswoman for the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs. Details have yet to be announced, Capone said.

The rebates of $50 to $250 were paid for by federal stimulus money. The wait list and further rebates this summer will be paid for with proceeds from the auction of carbon allowances under the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. Utility company funds for energy efficiency will also pay for the rebates, the state says.

Also, consumers who made either normal or wait-list reservations have until May 12 to make a purchase and have their old appliances picked up for recycling. All paperwork must be submitted by June 26.

Danvers reaches out to Osram to brighten Dunn wing of DHS

A massive, nearly $80 million school building project means Danvers will have to convert the Dunn wing of Danvers High into a high school for the next two school years.

In looking at what the building needs, the Danvers Department of Public Works struck on the bright idea of approaching Danvers-based Osram Sylvania to help improve lighting inside.

The Dunn Wing of the high school was last used as a middle school in 2005, though its bottom floor was temporarily used as Town Hall last year. Department of Public Works Director David Lane said a walk-through of the wing showed it needs to be "re-lamped."

Since the town plans to tear down the Dunn wing to make way for the rest of the high school project, renovations have to be done in a way that is both cost-effective and provides a good space for students.

That's where Osram Sylvania may be able to help. School Committee member Jean McCartin told the School Committee April 12 the town was talking with the company about improving lighting there. School officials say DPW Buildings Supervisor Robert Levasseur reached out to the company, the North American subsidiary of Osram GmbH of Germany, which is part of Siemens AG. Osram Sylvania is also one of Danvers' largest employers.

"Osram Sylvania is reviewing this request and is committed to supporting the communities where we operate our businesses," said Stephanie Anderson, the company's head of public relations and chief corporate spokesperson, in an e-mail.

Lane said the request is in its preliminary stages, and Osram Sylvania has provided information about the best type of lamp the town could use.

PerkinElmer's Salem facility honored for reducing toxic chemicals

PerkinElmer's illuminations facility in Salem was recognized April 22 by the state's Toxics Use Reduction Act program and state lawmakers for reducing the use of toxic materials in its production, according to a press release.

Waltham-based PerkinElmer is among 17 companies being honored as leaders by the Toxics Use Reduction Act program. The act was passed in 1989. PerkinElmer, which employs 8,500 worldwide, is being hailed as a "TURA 20th Anniversary Leader."

"By paying close attention to details, PerkinElmer's Salem facility has achieved significant reductions in chemicals use," said Pam Eliason, industry research program manager of the Toxics Use Reduction Institute at the University of Massachusetts Lowell in a prepared statement. "In fact, this facility has spearheaded much of PerkinElmer's corporate movement toward sustainable practices."

The Salem facility, which presently employs 160 people, started reporting its use of chemicals in 1990, and has since cut its use of reportable solvents by 90 percent.

"By re-evaluating our cleaning operations and employing classic toxics use reduction analyses, we have been able to significantly reduce our use of acids and other cleaning chemicals," said Susan Lynn Marallo, environmental health and safety, and facilities manager at Perkin-Elmer, in a prepared statement. The facility has also reduced its electrical demand by half and its water usage by 80 percent.

Cakes for Occasions fights breast cancer with whoopie pies

A small Danvers Square pastry shop is one of more than 150 restaurants, bakeries and cafes taking part in the 11th annual Boston Bakes for Breast Cancer event May 3 to May 9.

Cakes for Occasions, owned by pastry chef Kelly Delaney of Danvers, plans to sell breast cancer whoopie pies filled with pink-colored cream and pink breast cancer ribbon sprinkles.

To top it off, 100 percent of the proceeds will benefit breast cancer research and care at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. The pies cost $7.50 for a half- dozen and $14 for a dozen. The shop is at 57 Maple St., and the whoopie pies can also be ordered online at www.cakes4occasions.com.

Carol Brownman Sneider started Boston Bakes for Breast Cancer in 2000 in memory of her mother, Eva Brownman, who died from breast cancer at age 44 in 1973, leaving behind her two young daughters, including Brownman Sneider. The event has raised more than $370,000 for Dana-Farber.

Other North Shore participants include: A & J King Artisan Bakers, 48 Central St., Salem; Cassis Bakery, 261 Cabot St., Beverly; Not Your Average Joe's Beverly, 45 Enon St., Beverly; Pellana Prime SteakHouse, 9 Rear Sylvan St., Peabody; and Pellino's Ristorante and Bar, 261 Washington St., Marblehead.

Go to www.bostonbakesforbreastcancer.org to find a full list of participants.

Family Festival seeks Endicott Park Day vendors to work June 26

The Danvers Family Festival, a two-week summer celebration run by volunteers, is looking for vendors and home crafters for its Endicott Park Day, which is being held on June 26, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For a 10-foot-by-10-foot booth, the fee is $75 for organizations or vendors selling products or services, and $35 for home crafters and civic and social organizations providing information.

You may contact Sheryl James at hungrycater@aol.com or 978-335-3484. The reservation deadline is June 1. More Danvers Family Festival information can be found at www.danversfamilyfestival.com.

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Staff writer Ethan Forman can be reached at 978-338-2673 or by e-mail at eforman@salemnews.com.

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