Energy Commission Minutes

Minutes of 4/11/2024

April 18th, 2024

Carroll Energy Commission Minutes
Meeting of April 11, 2024
The Carroll Energy Commission mission is to advise, encourage, and facilitate energy conservation, energy efficiency, and clean energy solutions for public buildings and properties, businesses, and resident homes. The Committee shall provide leadership and direction for community education relating to energy and shall propose and explore funding for local energy projects.
These minutes of the Town of Carroll Energy Commission have been recorded by its Secretary. Though believed to be accurate and correct they are subject to additions, deletions, and corrections by the Energy Commission at its next meeting when the Commission votes its final approval of the minutes. They are being made available at this time to conform to the requirements of New Hampshire RSA 91-A:2.

Minutes recorded by Imre Szauter, Secretary

Commission members in attendance: Member Vern Amirault, Member and Select Board Representative John Greer, Vice Chair Imre Szauter, and Chair Bill Vecchio. Member Mycko was excused.

Members of the public in attendance: None

The meeting was called to order at 8:24 p.m. by Chair Vecchio.

Chair Vecchio invited all attendees to rise and join in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Chair Vecchio stated he would entertain a motion on the March 28, 2024 meeting minutes. Member Amirault motioned to accept the minutes as written. Chair Vecchio seconded the motion. With no discussion, the motion passed unanimously.

Under New Business, Chair Vecchio opened a discussion on the just-completed NHSaves Button Up Workshop, which was held in the Town Hall Community Room. Chair Vecchio praised Andy Duncan’s presentation for its clarity and understandability. He stated that there were twelve (12) attendees, not including Mr. Duncan.

Member Amirault concurred with Chair Vecchio’s remarks and stated that some of the topics were applicable to his own residence.

Vice Chair Szauter stated he found the presentation organized, understandable, and well presented. Not only did Mr. Duncan cover the topics, but he presented resources to assist attendees in reducing the financial impact of the initial energy audit and subsequent mitigation work.

Under New Business, Chair Vecchio opened a discussion on the Affinity LED Lighting Zoom meeting of March 19, 2024. Vice Chair Szauter stated that questions that arose during the meeting were submitted to Angel Segarra at Affinity LED Lighting, and his responses were sent via email to commission members. He also stated that a question regarding adding the November 27, 2023 Affinity LED Lighting proposal as an addendum or appendix to the contract approved by the Select Board and signed by Select Board Chair Greer was sent to Caroline Kinville at Affinity LED Lighting. An answer had not yet been received from Caroline Kinville.

Member Greer stated he would verify the procedure for submitting the required 50% deposit to Affinity LED Lighting to lock in the project for this year.

Member Amirault identified a disposal issue with the newly-installed Eversource Energy LED street lights, which were replacements for some of the defective high pressure sodium (HPS) street lights. He stated those new LED street lights should not be scrapped and should be returned to Eversource Energy for possible use elsewhere. Members agreed and thought the Affinity LED Lighting crew should be advised to set them aside during the replacement process.
Vice Chair Szauter stated that placement of the dumpster for the street light replacement project was discussed with Public Works Director, Scott Sonia. The area between the highway garage and the sand and gravel shed on Parker Drive would be accessible and protected from view.

Vice Chair Szauter stated that per Angel Segarra, the loaner LED street light would be included in the project inventory for installation or as a spare.

Vice Chair Szauter stated that per Angel Segarra, the warranty begins when the project is 90% completed.

Under New Business, Chair Vecchio opened a discussion on the NH DES (Department of Environmental Services) Water Infrastructure Energy Program. Vice Chair Szauter confirmed that the town has been added to the NH DES list for an audit this year and once scheduled, we would be notified.

Under New Business, Chair Vecchio opened a discussion on private street light ownership. Member Greer stated that if the Affinity LED Lighting audit and recommendations identify street lights that could be removed without impacting safety, perhaps locations for new installations could be considered. Member Amirault identified two privately-owned street lights on Lennon Road. Vice Chair Szauter offered to reach out to Angel Segarra regarding how Affinity LED Lighting has dealt with privately-owned street lights on other projects.

Discussion took place on possible Energy Commission recommendations to the Select Board regarding privately-owned street light conversions to town ownership. Members concluded that waiting for the Affinity LED Lighting audit to be completed and reviewed by the Energy Commission would be the best approach to first determine how many privately-owned street lights were located.

Under New Business, Chair Vecchio opened a discussion on Clean Energy NH North Country Circuit Rider, Melissa Elander’s request to include the Town of Carroll on the list going to Eversource Energy of communities interested in evaluating battery storage. A commitment to be included on the list doesn’t obligate the town to expend any funds, only to commit time to evaluate and document equipment power needs during a prolonged grid outage. Members agreed there is value in this exercise. Members also discussed various disaster scenarios and how to potentially address them.

Chair Vecchio made a motion to move forward with Clean Energy NH’s proposal to include the Town of Carroll on the list to Eversource Energy of communities interested in exploring battery storage. Member Greer seconded the motion. With no additional discussion, the motion passed unanimously.

Under Old Business, Chair Vecchio asked if there were any topics for consideration. Chair Vecchio provided an update on discussions with Henry Herndon of CPCNH (Community Power Coalition of New Hampshire). CPCNH has agreed to meet in person with the Energy Commission during our regular June meeting (scheduled for June 12, 2024 at 5:00 p.m.) to provide details on how their program works and potential benefits to town residents.

Member Greer expressed a concern regarding the automatic opt-in nature of community power programs, except for those net energy metering customers or those already purchasing power from a third-party provider. Chair Vecchio stated that with enough education, outreach and notification, many town residents could be made aware of the program and reassured they could opt-out if desired.

Under Other, Chair Vecchio invited items for discussion; nothing was offered.

With no other agenda items to discuss, Chair Vecchio entertained a motion for adjournment. Chair Vecchio motioned to adjourn. Member Greer seconded the motion. With no additional discussion, the motion was passed unanimously and the meeting was adjourned at 9:27 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Imre Szauter, Vice Chair and Secretary