Energy Commission Minutes

Minutes of 11/25/2024

November 25th, 2024

Carroll Energy Commission Minutes
Meeting of November 25, 2024 @ 5:00 p.m.
Carroll Town Hall Conference Room

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 John Greer, Vice Chair and Secretary Imre Szauter, and Chair Bill Vecchio. Member Brian Mycko was absent.

Members of the public in attendance in person or via Zoom: 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 Nov. 13 meeting minutes. Member Amirault motioned to accept the minutes as written. Chair Vecchio seconded the motion. With no discussion, the motion passed with 4 AYES and 0 NAYS.

Under New Business, Chair Vecchio asked if there was any new business to come before the Energy Commission. No new business items were offered.

Under Old Business, Chair Vecchio opened a discussion on the status of the Affinity LED Lighting streetlight conversion project. Vice Chair Szauter reported there was no new information from Affinity LED Lighting on the installation of our LED streetlights, still scheduled for the week of Dec. 2.

Under Old Business, Chair Vecchio opened a discussion on the NH Department of Energy (DOE) Municipal Solar Grant Program application, filed by the town in August. Vice Chair Szauter reported on his telephone conversation with Paige Relf of the NH DOE regarding her Nov. 18 email (distributed to members) indicating the need for a structural roof analysis of the Public Safety building. The town is required to submit a letter from a registered PE (Professional Engineer) stating that the Carroll Public Safety building’s roof is structurally sound and can support the added weight of the solar PV array. He also reported he has reached out to two consulting engineering firms for quotes to review our documentation, conduct a site visit if required, and issue the appropriate letter.

During that same telephone conversation, Vice Chair Szauter asked for clarification on the Municipal Solar Grant Program application approved during the Nov. 13 Governor and Executive Council meeting (item #46). Paige Relf explained that the Town of Carroll was approved for “an amount not to exceed $86,236”, which was the amount requested on the RFP. She also indicated she is the NH DOE point of contact on this project going forward.

Under Old Business, Chair Vecchio opened a discussion on the CENH battery storage proposal. Chair Vecchio reported he submitted documentation to Ted Vansant at Barrington Power including construction drawings, estimated critical circuit and lighting loads, along with photos of the four electrical distribution panels in the Public Safety building. Discussion took place on proposed reimbursements from Eversource Energy and the US IRS Inflation Reduction Act Direct Pay program. Discussion on sizing of the battery energy storage system revealed that estimating loads is difficult.

Under Old Business, Chair Vecchio opened a discussion on the draft warrant article for the Public Safety building solar PV array. Chair Vecchio mentioned that two draft warrant articles are in the paperwork packet distributed prior to the meeting. He read the first draft and solicited comments and suggestions for changes. Members suggested changes to shorten and tighten up the wording. Chair Vecchio will incorporate modifications to the draft warrant article and distribute the updated version to members for review at the next meeting.

Chair Vecchio suggested that the warrant article should be short, with details made available to voters during one or more public informational sessions in early 2025, during the February First Session (Deliberative Session), and using flyers and a solar display at the transfer station exit during February and March prior to Second Session (Town Vote).

Under Old Business, Chair Vecchio opened a discussion on the draft warrant article to create and fund ongoing operational and maintenance costs of the Public Safety building solar PV array if sufficient NH DOE Municipal Solar Grant Program funding is made available to the town and voters approve the solar PV array warrant article discussed above. In a Nov. 19 email from town treasurer Annette Marquis to the New Hampshire Municipal Association (NHMA), she requested guidance on the appropriate type of fund to receive payments for the sale of solar renewable energy certificates (SRECs) and pay operational and maintenance expenses for the solar PV array installation. Members agreed to wait until hearing back from Annette Marquis to modify this draft warrant article.

Under Old Business, Chair Vecchio opened a discussion on the battery storage project draft warrant articles. He read the draft articles and sought comments and suggestions for changes. Members discussed placement of the battery energy storage system outside the building, how it might be contained and heated during winter months, and capacity, and how much of that information should be contained in the warrant article. Chair Vecchio stated he would modify the battery energy storage system draft warrant article and circulate it for additional review and comment.

Member Greer departed the meeting at 7:18 p.m.

Chair Vecchio stated he would reach out to Ted Vansant at Barrington Power regarding questions on the battery energy storage system and would contact Melissa Elander at Clean Energy New Hampshire regarding any additional funding for the battery project.

Vice Chair Szauter stated he would continue to pursue quotes for the Public Safety building roof analysis and check with treasurer Annette Marquis regarding the alternative energy operational and maintenance fund question.

Chair Vecchio suggested discussion at a future meeting on creating a banner to promote the solar PV array project, the operational and maintenance revenue fund/capital reserve fund, and the battery energy storage system project, in addition to informational flyers for distribution throughout the town. For the next meeting, he suggested establishing a date and time in early 2025 for at least one informational session.

Chair Vecchio suggested beginning preparation of the Energy Commission annual report submission at the next meeting.

Under Other, Chair Vecchio asked if there were any other items for consideration. No items were offered.

Members were reminded the next meeting would be held on Monday, Dec. 9 at 5:00 p.m. in the Town Hall conference room. This is a change from the regular second Wednesday of the month meeting schedule, due to the warrant article submission deadline of Dec. 12.

With no additional items for discussion, Chair Vecchio entertained a motion for adjournment. Chair Vecchio motioned to adjourn. Member Amirault seconded the motion. With no discussion, the motion passed unanimously with 3 AYES and 0 NAYS and the meeting was adjourned at 7:54 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Imre Szauter, Vice Chair and Secretary