Energy Commission Minutes

Minutes of 12/2/2024

December 2nd, 2024

Carroll Energy Commission Minutes
Meeting of December 2, 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 and Select Board Representative Brian Mycko, Member John Greer, Vice Chair and Secretary Imre Szauter, and Chair Bill Vecchio. Member Vern Amirault was absent.

Members of the public in attendance in person or via Zoom: none

The meeting was called to order at 5:00 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. 25 meeting minutes. Chair Vecchio motioned to accept the minutes as written. Member Greer 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 Affinity LED Lighting changed the installation period of our LED streetlights from the week of Dec. 2 to the week of Dec. 9 shortly after the Nov. 25 meeting. There were no additional updates to report.

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. The town recently learned it 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. Vice Chair Szauter reported he had not heard back from either of the engineering consulting firms he had reached out to for quotes.

Under Old Business, Chair Vecchio opened a discussion on the CENH (Clean Energy New Hampshire) battery energy storage system (BESS) proposal. Chair Vecchio reported on a Nov. 26 telephone conversation he and Vice Chair Szauter had with Ted Vansant of Barrington Power, regarding concerns about the scope and details of the BESS proposal. Ted Vansant stated that there were unresolved issues that prevented him from developing a quote for the project, such as any required wiring changes to accommodate the critical load circuits, the maximum demand on the system, and more. Chair Vecchio and Vice Chair Szauter agreed that perhaps there was too much missing information and agreed to bring the issue before the Energy Commission for discussion and a decision on whether to proceed with the draft warrant article.

Chair Vecchio reviewed the information provided to Barrington Power and what type of additional information might be required to create a firm plan that can be documented and presented to the voters.

After considerable discussion, Member Mycko made a motion to halt further development of the 2025 draft warrant article proposing installation of a BESS on the Public Safety building and further that the Energy Commission gather more information in 2025 and request input from other vendors as it continues to evaluate the merits of a BESS project. Member Greer seconded the motion. With little additional discussion, the motion passed with 4 AYES and 0 NAYS.

Chair Vecchio stated that he would contact Melissa Elander at CENH regarding the Energy Commission’s decision on the BESS proposal. Vice Chair Szauter suggested reaching out to the electrical contractor who designed and wired the Public Safety building for any advice on incorporating a BESS.

Chair Vecchio opened a discussion on the draft warrant article for the Municipal Solar Grant Program. Members suggested several changes; Chair Vecchio will update the draft and circulate it for additional review and comment.

Members discussed what material might be useful for an informational session, the transfer station exit, and for distribution around town. Members also discussed creating a banner.

Under Other, Chair Vecchio asked if there were any other items for consideration. Member Greer suggested updating the Energy Commission agenda template to remove his designation as Select Board representative and add it to Member Mycko’s information. This change will be incorporated into future agendas and meeting minutes.

Members were reminded the next meeting would be held on Monday, Dec. 9 at 5:00 p.m. in the Town Hall conference room.

With no additional items for discussion, Chair Vecchio entertained a motion for adjournment. Member Mycko motioned to adjourn. Chair Vecchio seconded the motion. With no discussion, the motion passed unanimously with 4 AYES and 0 NAYS and the meeting was adjourned at 5:43 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Imre Szauter, Vice Chair and Secretary