FRAMINGHAM, MA - Framingham based renewable energy company Ameresco, Inc. (NYSE:AMRC), has completed it's third solar photovoltaic (“PV”) facility for the Town of Ashland at it's capped landfill on Howe Street.

The Town partnered with Ameresco to develop the solar PV projects under a 20-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). Ameresco will operate and maintain the systems for the term of the contract to ensure optimal energy production.

"We were happy to have a comprehensive service partner in Ameresco to help us identify and implement a diverse set of meaningful clean energy projects in our community. These projects not only combat the continuing global impacts of climate change but do so by virtually eliminating the Town’s electric bill." Michael D. Herbert, Town Manager, Ashland MA.

Ashland's solar projects at the Middle School Roof, the High School Parking Lot, and the Howe Street Landfill are comprised of more than 5,500 photovoltaic panels totaling 1,800 kW DC and designed to generate over 2.2 million kWh of renewable electricity each year. The annual CO2 emissions reduction of 1,632 metric tons is equivalent to taking 350 cars off the road and annual electricity usage of 176 homes.

"This project will contribute to the Town of Ashland realizing its goals, under the Green Communities Program, to reduce energy consumption and costs through the implementation of clean energy projects in its municipal buildings, facilities, and schools," said David J. Anderson, Executive Vice President, Ameresco. "The three solar projects represent a complimentary component to the larger sustainable initiative across the municipality that included a $3.6 million comprehensive energy efficiency program, providing more than $250,000 in annual savings in its building portfolio."

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Cannabis / Marijuana products sold in Massachusetts will be labeled with a seal certifying it has passed testing for contaminants.

FRAMINGHAM, MA - The Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission, ("CCC"), has voted in favor of issuing MCR Labs of Framingham its license to operate as an Independent Testing Laboratory ("ITL") for the state's Adult Use Marijuana Program.

While some have complained that the State has been to slow to roll out recreational marijuana sales, the CCC regulations were designed with consumer safety in mind and specify that all retail cannabis product must be tested for and free of contaminants in accordance with Massachusetts General Laws, (M.G.L. c. 94G).

MCR Labs is accredited to perform compliance testing "and has been inspected to meet all general operation and security requirements for marijuana establishments" as outlined in the Commission's draft regulations, but there's still a few steps that must be completed before full commercial operation of the lab, (a walk-through and "seed-to-sale" software training).

MCR is setup to perform safety screening of marijuana including testing for heavy metals (arsenic, lead, cadmium, mercury), dozens of pesticides, microbial contaminants, (bacteria, yeast, molds, salmonella, E. coli, etc) as well as testing for volatile organic compounds, residual solvents, terpenes and other chemicals which should not be found in cannabis sold for human consumption.  MCR Labs will also provide cannabis potency and quality profile testing.

Once the few final steps are completed, Massachusetts marijuana growers, cannabis product manufacturers, and others will be able to have their products tested for quality control and potential contaminants at MCR Labs, 85 Speen St. in Framingham, MA.

About MCR Labs: Established in 2013, MCR Labs is an ISO-17025 accredited independent testing lab providing analytical cannabis product testing and R&D services to medicinal and adult use RMDs, patients, caregivers, home growers and entrepreneurs. For more information, visit http://mcrlabs.com

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Plan ahead for delays and be prepared to stop as many Framingham roadway projects are being finished before winter sets in.

FRAMINGHAM, MA - The City of Framingham has released the following traffic alerts for the week of October 21st-27th, 2018, (note: construction schedules are weather permitting and are subject to change).

Concord Street: Expect significant traffic delays as crews perform utility and roadway improvements during the day and night hours in areas along Concord Street between Cochituate Road (Rt. 30) and School Street. Day work will take place between 7:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Night work will take place on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday nights between 8:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m.

Crestwood Drive: Expect minor delays as crews pave the roadway between 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

Dinsmore Avenue: will be closed as crews make utility improvements. Work will take place between 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

Edgell Road, Grove Street, Belknap Road, Vernon Street: Beginning on Monday, October 22, expect significant delays as a temporary detour will be in place for southbound traffic on a portion of Edgell Road between 8:30 a.m-4:30 p.m as crews perform utility improvements. Southbound traffic will be detoured from Edgell Road onto Belknap Road to Grove Street, and reconnect to Edgell Road via Vernon Street. Northbound traffic will be permitted.  Due to road restrictions, oversized vehicles and trucks should observe the posted limitations and follow the truck detour route on Belknap Road to Mill Street, continue onto Pleasant Street and reconnect to Edgell Road via Vernon Street. Police detail officers will be stationed within the work zone and at critical intersections within the detour to assist motorists; school buses will be given priority to ensure safe and timely travel for students.

Fountain Street: Expect moderate delays as crews perform roadway improvements overnight between 8:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. A detour will be in place for this work.

Indian Head Heights: Expect minor delays as crews continue utility work on Indian Head Heights between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

Lanewood Avenue: Roadway closure between Briarwood Road and Waveney Road until November as crews perform utility improvements under the aqueduct. Traffic will detour onto Angelica Drive and Waveney Way to access Waveney Road.

Little Farms Road, Shawmut Terrace: Expect minor delays as crews perform utility improvements between 7:00 a.m-3:00 p.m.

Main Street: Expect moderate delays as a one lane alternating traffic pattern is in place between 7:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

Nixon Road: Expect moderate delays this week as crews pave the roadway from Edmands Road to Parmenter Road and Parmenter Road to the Marlborough town line between 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

Old Conn. Path: Expect moderate delays this week as crews pave the roadway from School Street to the Wayland town line between 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

Speen Street: Expect minor traffic impacts as crews complete punchlist items on Speen Street between Old Conn. Path and Cochituate Road between 7:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.

Union Avenue: Northbound travel (heading toward Route 9) will be permitted through the work zone (between Melrose Street and Walnut Street). Southbound traffic between Walnut Street and Melrose Street is NOT permitted; traffic will be detoured to Franklin Street (southbound) to Melrose Street to reconnect with Union Avenue. All trucks and over-sized vehicles heading southbound must use Franklin Street. Two-way local traffic traveling between Main Street and Walnut Street will be maintained.  A new detour pattern is expected to be implemented Friday 10/26. Northbound travel (heading toward Route 9) will be permitted through the work zone (between DeLoss Street and Walnut Street). Southbound traffic between Linden Street and DeLoss Street is NOT permitted; traffic will be detoured to Franklin Street (southbound) to Henry Street to reconnect with Union Avenue. All trucks and over-sized vehicles heading southbound must use Franklin Street. Two-way local traffic traveling between Main Street and Linden Street will be maintained.

MetroWest Medical Center on Lincoln, Thurber, Myrtle, Learned and Evergreen Streets:  work will take place in the area. Please take notice of posted parking restrictions. Overnight work will be conducted on Sunday 10/21- Monday 10/22 at the intersection of Lincoln Street and Evergreen Street. Lincoln Street will not be accessible from Union Avenue during the overnight work, please use Beech Street to access Lincoln Street.

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A 1.7-megawatt SunPower solar project on "The Mountain" at Bose Corporation's headquarters in Massachusetts is now generating power.

FRAMINGHAM, MA - Bose Corporation has just brought a 1.7 megawatt solar installation online.

The fixed-tilt, ground mounted array of nearly 4000 solar panels is located on the southern side of what locals commonly refer to as "Bose Mountain" an industrial area off Route 9, near the Southborough town line.

The array which was designed, constructed and financed by SunPower® (www.sunpower.com), is expected to generate 2.4 million kilowatt hours of energy per year.

Through a 20-year Power Purchase Agreement, SunPower will operate and maintain the solar installation which Bose anticipates will provide a substantial portion of the electricity needs for the Bose Mountain campus.

In a press release describing the installation, Sam Nguyen, SunPower executive Vice President, Commercial Solar was quoted as saying "We're proud to be working with Bose to further advance solar development in the Commonwealth, and to support the company's [Bose] commitment to long-term sustainability as a leading global brand."

For more information, contact:

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Framingham area stores that are closed on Thanksgiving Day

FRAMINGHAM, MA -This year Framingham based Staples, TJ Maxx and Marshalls, along with other major retailers will be joing the growing trend to not open their  stores on Thanksgiving Day.

"We know that the holidays can be a hectic time but Staples is here to ensure shoppers and businesses of all sizes have the tools they need for a successful season," Steve Matyas, Chief Executive Officer, Staples Retail was quoted in a press release. "Our priority as an organization is to ensure that our store associates have the dedicated time they deserve to relax and enjoy the company of family and friends on Thanksgiving Day, so they’ll be ready to support customers on Black Friday and throughout the holidays."

Starting in 2015 Staples joined the growing trend in retail -- something that appeals to those who don't like the over-commercialization of holidays, and of course the employees who would rather have the day off.

Other Framingham area stores that won't be open Thanksgiving day include BJ'S Warehouse, many large stores in Shopper's World including DSW, Barnes & Noble, Marshalls, T.J. Maxx , Pier 1 Imports, Petsmart, Guitar Center, Burlington, Jo-Anne Fabrics, REI, Home Depot and Lowe's.

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