Mark Sylvia of Fairhaven has been appointed to lead the Department of Energy Resources’ (DOER) new Green Communities Division.

Created by the Green Communities Act signed by Gov. Deval Patrick last summer, the division will support clean energy efforts in Massachusetts cities and towns.

Under the direction of DOER Commissioner Philip Giudice, Sylvia will assist cities and towns with energy efficiency opportunities, renewable energy projects and other clean power issues. In addition, a Green Communities Grant Program, expected to launch in early 2009, will provide financial support to communities that make extraordinary efforts to “green” their municipal operations.

An official in Plymouth town government for over a decade, Sylvia has held the position of Town Manager since 2005.