“Green” is on the minds of Wareham Selectmen, and not just because St. Patrick’s Day is coming up.

A presentation at Thursday’s Selectmen meeting showed the benefits of the town becoming a designated "green community." The presentation was a follow-up from one given on Feb. 26 that explained the benefits of adopting a “stretch energy code.”

To be considered a green community, a town must meet five criteria: zoning as-of-right siting for renewable and alternative energy generation, adopt an expedited permitting process, create an energy reduction plan to reduce energy use by 20 percent in five years, adopt a fuel efficient vehicle policy and adopt the energy stretch code.

The stretch code requires all new residential construction to minimize the life cycle cost of the facility by utilizing efficiency, water conservation and other renewable energy technologies, making homes approximately 11 percent more energy efficient.

Southeast Regional Coordinator Seth Pickering reviewed the requirements to be considered a green community and be eligible for grants. The Green Communities Designation and Grant Program has been in place since 2009 and is funded annually up to $20 million. Pickering said he estimates Wareham will receive a potential initial grant up to $200,000.

The grant money can be applied toward efficiency and renewable energy in municipal buildings such as schools, fire departments and town halls.

Voters will have the opportunity to vote to adopt the stretch energy code at the spring Town Meeting, set for April 23 in Wareham High School.

There are already 210 green communities in Massachusetts.

“It’s a no-brainer,” Town Administrator Derek Sullivan said of becoming a green community. “The faster we can do this, the better.”

For more information, visit www.mass.gov/energy/greencommunities.