Energy Commission Minutes

Minutes of 5/8/2024

May 13th, 2024

Carroll Energy Commission Minutes
Meeting of May 8, 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, Member Brian Mycko, Vice Chair Imre Szauter, and Chair Bill Vecchio.

Members of the public in attendance: None

The meeting was called to order at 5:01 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 April 11, 2024 meeting minutes. Member Amirault motioned to accept the minutes as written. Chair Vecchio seconded the motion. With no discussion, the motion passed 4-0-1, with Member Mycko abstaining because he was not in attendance.

Under New Business, Chair Vecchio opened a discussion on solar PV array system opportunities for the town. Chair Vecchio indicated because solar PV array projects have such long lead times, research and planning that starts now will help identify critical milestones, especially for financial incentives in the form of grants, rebates, loans, and tax incentives.

Chair Vecchio highlighted three areas where solar PV arrays had been previously mentioned:
1. Installation of a town-owned system on the Public Safety building.
2. Potential land lease to a third party for a solar PV array installation at the former town land fill.
3. Potential town-owned or PPP (Public-Private Partnership) solar PV array installation on land near the transfer station (not on former land fill area).

Members discussed the transfer station property and the former town land fill, and noted that there have been previous and current discussions on use of portions of that property for other projects, such as a town highway garage and small industrial site.

Chair Vecchio suggested exploring a solar PV array installation on the Public Safety building first, as this building is a new construction (completed in 2020), has a direct southern exposure, and could be the site of a battery storage system to counter grid outages and/or emergency generator failures.

Vice Chair Szauter stated that during a site visit in 2023 by a solar development company representative, both our Town Hall and Public Safety building were identified as prime candidates for solar PV arrays to offset their annual electricity needs. Further, excess energy produced could be exported to the grid as credits to other town Eversource Energy accounts.

Members discussed various solar PV array mounting options, such as roof-mount and ground-mount racking, highlighting pros and cons of both. Concerns about security, esthetics, and snow and ice shedding from roof-mounted installations were also discussed.

Members discussed power consumption at other town locations, such as the recreation center and St. Margaret’s Cemetery.

Members reviewed satellite images of town properties, identifying potential installation sites, their proximity to Eversource Energy distribution lines, and pros and cons of each site. Vice Chair Szauter will obtain more information on all town-owned properties for review at a future meeting.

As an aside, member Amirault asked about Fidium Fiber availability in the town, as high-speed fiber internet connections are being offered in surrounding communities. This item will require further research and discussion.

Chair Vecchio suggested holding further discussions on solar PV arrays at the next meeting, when CENH (Clean Energy New Hampshire) North Country Circuit Rider, Melissa Elander is anticipated to be in attendance.

Under Old Business, Chair Vecchio opened a discussion on the Affinity LED Lighting street light conversion project. Vice Chair Szauter reported that administrative assistant, Megan Basnar emailed him that the signed 50% deposit check to Affinity LED Lighting was placed in the mail May 1.

Under Old Business, Chair Vecchio opened a discussion on privately-owned street lights. While Member Amirault discovered at least two privately-owned street lights (both on Lennon Road), he is not inclined to recommend offering that the town acquire those lights for the purpose of LED conversion. Members agreed; therefore, owners of privately-owned street lights and those wishing to install one should be encouraged to contact Eversource Energy directly for details.

Under Old Business, Chair Vecchio opened a discussion on adding a solar rechargeable flag pole light to the St. Margaret’s Cemetery flag pole. Member Mycko reported on his research into these lighting devices, starting at about $40.00, that could eliminate the need for electricity service at the cemetery. Member Mycko offered to purchase a unit and install it on the Straw Cemetery flagpole, as there is no electric service at that location. He also offered to reach out to Cemetery Trustees Chair, Ed Martin to inform him of the Energy Commission’s plan to light all town cemetery flagpoles with solar rechargeable lights, eliminating the need for electric service at St. Margaret’s Cemetery. Finally, members agreed that Public Works Director, Scott Sonia should be consulted before any electric service is discontinued at either St. Margeret’s Cemetery or the recreation center buildings.

Under Other, Chair Vecchio invited items for discussion. Chair Vecchio provided a summary of the May 6 CENH-sponsored Energy Week open house at the New Hampshire Electric Cooperative Moultonborough solar PV array and battery storage facility. Chair Vecchio and Members Amirault and Greer participated and were very impressed with the facility. Each highlighted features of this facility they found interesting and of potential benefit to our Energy Commission’s research on solar PV arrays and battery storage options.

Under Other, Chair Vecchio opened a discussion on purchasing a Kill-A-Watt meter for placement and loan in the town library. Member Mycko made a motion to purchase one Kill-A-Watt meter and donate it to the town library for loan to town residents. Member Greer seconded the motion. With no additional discussion, the motion passed unanimously. Chair Vecchio offered to order the meter and seek reimbursement when it arrives.

Under Other, Chair Vecchio invited Member Greer to discuss the upcoming Select Board meeting agenda of May 14. Member Greer stated that they plan to review the status of the town’s water system, along with the Energy Commission’s list of potential projects. Of particular interest would be available grants, rebates, and low interest rate loans available for energy-efficiency projects including an expansion of the town’s water system. Chair Vecchio stated that he would update the Energy Commission’s previous list and send it to Member Greer prior to the May 14 meeting.

Under Other, Chair Vecchio opened a discussion on the June 12 CPCNH (Community Power Coalition of New Hampshire) presentation on community power at 4:00 p.m., which is one hour prior to the regularly-scheduled June 12 Energy Commission meeting at 5:00 p.m. Members agreed to hold the meeting in the Community Room to accommodate interested members of the public and verify with Henry Herndon his audio/visual needs for his presentation.

With no other agenda items to discuss, Chair Vecchio entertained a motion for adjournment. Member Mycko motioned to adjourn. Member Amirault seconded the motion. With no additional discussion, the motion was passed unanimously and the meeting was adjourned at 6:46 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Imre Szauter, Vice Chair and Secretary