Energy Commission Minutes

Minutes of 5/23/2025

May 23rd, 2025

Carroll Energy Commission Minutes
Meeting of May 23, 2025 @ 9:30 a.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, Member Karen Moran, Vice Chair and Secretary Imre Szauter, and Chair Bill Vecchio. Member and Select Board Representative Brian Mycko was excused.

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

The meeting was called to order at 9:28 a.m. by Vice Chair Szauter, substituting for Chair Vecchio at his request. Vice Chair Szauter asked all members to introduce themselves.

Vice Chair Szauter stated that the first portion of the meeting would be the NH Dept. of Energy (NHDOE) Teams meeting for Municipal Solar Grant Program grantees, followed by a regular Carroll Energy Commission meeting.

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

Under New Business, Vice Chair Szauter opened the NHDOE Teams meeting, hosted by Paige Relf. The meeting was called to distribute information and answer questions from grantees.

Paige Relf started the Teams meeting at 9:33 a.m. and welcomed attendees. She stated that the technical monitor (TM) and Davis-Bacon and Related Acts compliance consultant (DBRACC) contracts had been signed the end of April, with Weston & Sampson selected as the TM and MPACT Strategic Consulting LLC (MPACT) chosen as the DBRACC.

Paige Relf indicated there have been issues related to the LCPTracker software used by MPACT, so project start approval has been postponed until about July 1. She stated that projects will have unannounced site visits by MPACT staff members to ensure projects are following all rules and regulations.

Paige Relf indicated that the MPACT information-gathering form previously distributed are due by Tuesday, May 27 for entry into the LCPTracker software; during the approximately 30 days waiting period for entry, MPACT will contact grantees to coordinate training, technical assistance, and expectations, likely through virtual meetings.

Paige Relf concluded her update and opened the meeting for questions and concerns. Several procedural questions were asked, along with clarification requested on submissions to MPACT. Vice Chair Szauter asked for information on the responsibilities of the town-designated LCPTracker contact person. Paige Relf replied that our contractor [Barrington Solar LLC] will be primarily responsible for LCPTracker data entry, while the town-designated contact will be responsible for verification of the data. Both parties (contractor and town-designated contact) will be in communication with MPACT staff throughout the project to ensure compliance.

In response to a question on project start date on the MPACT form, Paige Relf suggested July 1, as resolution of the LCPTracker software issues and data entry should be completed by then. One of the solar contractors on the call recommended that grantees begin their permitting process and interconnect agreement tasks as soon as practical, as these may be longer lead items that could delay the project start date and final completion.

Vice Chair Szauter asked for clarification on how unannounced site visits would be conducted. He stated that our Public Safety Building, which houses our fire dept., police dept., and emergency management dept., is a secure facility and not open to unescorted walk-ins. Paige Relf indicated she would forward our concern to the MPACT team, and suggested we communicate that information directly as well. Including this information on the MPACT form would be helpful.

TMs from Weston & Sampson responded to a question about pre-inspections, stating that much of what is required can be handled at the desktop level with information provided by the contractors and town contacts. Providing items such as specification sheets for materials to be installed would speed up the required pre-inspection process and on-site inspection meetings.

Vice Chair Szauter asked for clarification about providing a project timeline and photographs. Paige Relf replied that municipalities are documenting their projects in story and images, and that there is no specific format for either. She suggested before, during, and after photographs should be the minimum provided.

The NHDOE Teams meeting concluded at 10:08 a.m. There was no additional discussion on information presented and questions asked at the Teams meeting.

Under New Business, Vice Chair Szauter opened a discussion on Energy Commission member project roles. He stated that at a previous meeting, Member Moran had expressed an interest in being the town-designated contact to work with the LCPTracker software. As mentioned during the Teams meeting, the town-designated contact’s role would be more verification than actual data entry. Following additional discussion, Member Moran and Chair Vecchio volunteered to be the town-designated co-contacts on the MPACT form. A motion was made by Member Amirault to designate Member Moran and Chair Vecchio as co-contacts on the MPACT form. Member Moran seconded the motion. With no additional discussion, the motioned passed with 5 YEAS and 0 NAYS. Vice Chair Szauter will add Member Moran and Chair Vecchio’s names and submit the MPACT form by May 27 with the other required information.

Under New Business, Vice Chair Szauter opened a discussion on follow-up steps to get the project rolling. Members suggested contacting our contractor (Barrington Solar LLC) regarding submission of the interconnect agreement and submission of the town building permit, putting the period before the July 1 project physical start date to good use. Vice Chair Szauter will follow up with Ted Vansant.

Vice Chair Szauter reviewed the May 6 site visit by Derek Chase of Mains Electric and Ted Vansant of Barrington Solar LLC, including discussions on the location of equipment inside and outside the building, access to the attic spaces, and material storage. Members discussed sharing escort duties for the contractor and TMs.

Under Old Business, Vice Chair Szauter asked if there were any topics for discussion. Member Amirault inquired if there were any updates on open issues with Affinity LED Lighting and Eversource Energy. Vice Chair Szauter provided an update on the Affinity LED Lighting proposal to install a shield on an LED streetlight on US-3N and the requested replacement of a malfunctioning streetlight on US-3S. Regarding Eversource Energy, replacement of the malfunctioning streetlight at the US-302 and Base Station Road intersection has been completed, the fate of the three high pressure sodium streetlights on Rosebrook Lane remains unresolved, and a streetlight invoice error has been resolved.

Members discussed the situation of Rosebrook Lane maintenance responsibilities, as research to date by several members indicates the section of road between US-302 and Remick Lane was never taken over by the town, as the road did not meet town specifications. Members felt the ultimate decision should be made by the Select Board, so for now the three high pressure sodium streetlights will remain unchanged and still on the town ledger.

Vice Chair Szauter provided an update on the status of the New Hampshire Dept. of Environmental Services (NHDES) energy evaluation report. Given the ongoing work between the Carroll Water Commission; the Public Works Director, Scott Sonia; and several contractors that provided analyses of the water system, the report will remain tabled until the Energy Commission is asked to assist in the future.

Under Old Business, Vice Chair Szauter opened a discussion on meeting requirements under New Hampshire RSAs, as suggested by Member Greer. He sought clarification on what constitutes a public meeting. Members discussed what constitutes a quorum, as defined in New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated (RSAs), Section 91-A:2 Meetings Open to Public, subsection I, where quorum is defined. In the case of the current Energy Commission with six members, a quorum would be four, five, or six members.

With no additional items for discussion, Vice Chair Szauter entertained a motion for adjournment. Member Moran motioned to adjourn. Chair Vecchio seconded the motion. With no additional discussion, the motion passed unanimously and the meeting was adjourned at 10:54 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Imre Szauter, Vice Chair and Secretary

Carroll Energy Commission
Vern Amirault, Member, 2023-2025
John Greer, Member, 2023-2025
Karen Moran, Member, 2025-2027
Brian Mycko, Member and Select Board representative, 2023-2026
Imre Szauter, Vice Chair and Secretary, 2025-2027
Bill Vecchio, Chair, 2023-2026
Note: terms end in October of the listed year