Energy Commission Minutes

Minutes of 6/11/2025

June 11th, 2025

Carroll Energy Commission Minutes
Meeting of June 11, 2025 @ 5:00 p.m.
Carroll Town Hall Community 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, Member and Select Board Representative Brian Mycko, Vice Chair and Secretary Imre Szauter, and Chair Bill Vecchio.

Members of the public in attendance in person: Melissa Elander, Clean Energy New Hampshire (CENH) North Country Energy Circuit Rider.

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 May 14, 2025 meeting minutes. Member Moran motioned to accept the minutes as written. Member Greer seconded the motion. With no discussion, the motion passed with 6 AYES and 0 NAYS.

Chair Vecchio stated he would entertain a motion on the May 23, 2025 meeting minutes. It was noted there was a suggested change to the minutes by Member Moran. Member Amirault motioned to accept the minutes as modified. Chair Vecchio seconded the motion. With no discussion, the motion passed with 5 AYES, 0 NAYS, and 1 abstention. Member Mycko was absent from the May 23, 2025 meeting, so he abstained.

Under New Business, Chair Vecchio opened a discussion on NHDOE (Dept. of Energy) Teams meeting of May 23, 2025. Vice Chair Szauter reviewed the Project Launch Data Sheet that was submitted after the meeting, listing Chair Vecchio and Member Moran as contacts for the Davis-Bacon & Related Acts (DBRA) compliance monitoring firm, MPACT Strategic Consulting.

Under New Business, Chair Vecchio opened a discussion on DBRA online registration to announce the town contracts for the project. Member Moran highlighted difficulties she had submitting the form, but noted it was acknowledged as received on May 24. Member Moran also indicated she signed up for the Jun. 16 training date for introduction to the LCPTracker application.

Melissa Elander commented that another town working on their Municipal Solar Grant Program project created a group email list that copies all communications to all identified members of the project team, and those at NHDOE, Weston & Sampson (technical monitoring firm), MPACT Strategic Consulting (DBRA compliance consultant), the contractor, and Melissa Elander at CENH to ensure all parties receive all communications. Members agreed the Carroll Energy Commission should follow a similar strategy so all parties remained fully informed.

Under New Business, Chair Vecchio opened a discussion on a CENH blog post opportunity. Melissa Elander stated that several municipalities have partnered with CENH to highlight success stories in their communities, as a way to encourage others to engage and learn how successful projects happen. She invited the Town of Carroll to consider highlighting their successful streetlight conversion project with contractor Affinity LED Lighting of Dover, New Hampshire. Melissa Elander thought that focusing on the process we used to educate town residents to the benefits of converting to LED streetlights could be a topic for a blog post. Members agreed to work with Melissa Elander and CENH to make this happen.

Chair Vecchio mentioned a reminder he received from Melissa Elander on SolSmart, a national program that assists municipalities, counties, and regional organizations become solar energy leaders. He highlighted how the program might help the town with our solar project.

Under New Business, Chair Vecchio opened a discussion on a CENH application to the town to host a summer social event in the Town Hall Community Room. Melissa Elander highlighted the purpose and program used during the event, and answered logistics questions from members. The Carroll Energy Commission would be listed as an event sponsor. CENH submitted a Community Room Usage application, which was approved by the Select Board at their Jun. 3 meeting. The event will take place on Jul. 8 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Under New Business, Chair Vecchio opened a discussion on the DBRA compliance construction calendar that was sent by Rebecca Mauser-Hoye at Weston & Sampson. The calendar must be filled out with construction start and end dates, and significant milestones during the project in order to schedule inspections. Chair Vecchio asked for a member to volunteer to coordinate creation of a construction schedule with Ted Vansant of Barrington Solar LLC (our contractor); Member Moran offered to take on this responsibility and contact Ted Vansant quickly.

Under New Business, Chair Vecchio opened a discussion on using a Google Drive folder for project documents and emails. Vice Chair Szauter reported the original attempt to set this up failed, but a new folder has been created and its URL made available to Commission members. Going forward, all meeting information, along with copies of project documents and communications received and sent will be uploaded to the folder.

Under New Business, Chair Vecchio opened a discussion on the Kearsarge Energy proposal. Vice Chair Szauter remarked this was a follow up to the May 14, 2025 Energy Commission meeting during which Malcolm Bliss and Andrew Bernstein of Kearsarge Energy made a presentation on a proposal to establish a large solar PV array on town land where the transfer station is located. The proposal was meant to provide additional information on how the town could enter into an agreement with Kearsarge Energy to lease land for a solar PV array that would not be owned by the town. Members discussed advantages of this type of arrangement, and the need to learn more before making a recommendation to the Select Board.

Member Greer suggested contacting other firms to determine if they have similar programs available for municipalities; members agreed. Melissa Elander will provide information on firms that CENH is aware of, doing these types of projects.

Under New Business, Chair Vecchio opened a discussion on the NH Network’s monthly Energy Working Group call on Jun. 12. Melissa Elander provided background on this initiative, indicating it is an open conversation on energy-related matters. It is intended to provide a forum for those interested in showcasing their success stories and those interested in learning more about these programs and projects.

Melissa Elander departed the meeting at 5:57 p.m.

Under New Business, Chair Vecchio opened a discussion on town-provided email addresses for Energy Commission members. Vice Chair Szauter reported that Administrative Assistant, Meg Basnar obtained information on the cost to provide town employees, and committee and commission members with email addresses in the “@townofcarroll.org” domain. The cost is $3.00 per month per member. On Jun. 3, the Select Board approved members of the police department and members of the Energy Commission to establish email addresses if they chose to do so. Following discussion on the pros and cons of establishing individual town-account-based email addresses for Energy Commission members, Chair Vecchio motioned to table this item until the Municipal Solar Grant Program project is complete. Member Mycko seconded the motion. With no further discussion, the motion passed with 6 AYES and 0 NAYS.

Under Old Business, Chair Vecchio opened a discussion on NHDOE Municipal Solar Grant Program updates. Member Moran reported that she submitted the required MPACT Strategic Consulting form for LCPTracker registration, after tracking down several items that were not clearly specified on the registration form. She also mentioned difficulties with a provided URL for contractors to use during their information input into LCPTracker.

Vice Chair Szauter mentioned that NHDOE wanted all parties copied on all project emails going forward, so there is a list for members to review on the Google Drive.

Vice Chair Szauter updated members that Fire Chief Duncan and Police Chief Bailey had approved setting aside a portion of the Public Safety building rear parking area for delivery and staging of solar PV array materials once the project begins.

Under Old Business, Chair Vecchio opened a discussion on potential funding sources for future projects. He reported on conversations with a representative of The Neal and Louise Tillotson Fund, who suggested scheduling a Zoom meeting to review Energy Commission intents and potential future projects. Chair Vecchio reported on the Northern Borders Regional Commission, which covers a broad range of projects that benefit communities in northern New Hampshire. Other funding sources include the New Hampshire Moose Plates program and Eversource Energy. He mentioned North Country Council, which provides project planning and grant application preparation services.

Under Old Business, Chair Vecchio opened a discussion on information distribution and displays for the four Twin Mountain Fire Auxiliary pancake breakfasts. He suggested tables, chairs, and a pop-up tent, along with signage to attract visitors. Chair Vecchio mentioned a display using the Kill-A-Watt meter, available for loan from the Carroll library, to demonstrate the energy-savings advantage of replacing incandescent lightbulbs with LEDs. Also discussed were NHSaves brochures and the latest Button Up presentation URL, and other materials related to reducing residential and business energy consumption. The first pancake breakfast is Jul. 5.

Under Old Business, Chair Vecchio opened a discussion on new projects and priorities. He highlighted the potential savings by updating the town potable water system, in coordination with the NHDES (New Hampshire Dept. of Environmental Services) evaluation of the 2024 and planning already underway by the Carroll Water Commission. Hosting another Button Up workshop in the Community Room for residents was another suggestion, along with hosting a NHSaves presentation.

Chair Vecchio addressed news releases regarding issues at CPCNH (Community Power Coalition of New Hampshire). Currently, their base electricity rate is higher than the Eversource Energy default service rate.

Under Old Business, Chair Vecchio opened a discussion on the Affinity LED Lighting streetlight updates. Vice Chair Szauter reviewed the Eversource Energy May 2025 streetlight invoice, which still lists unexplained legacy streetlights and one 500W LED streetlight that is likely a data entry error. He is working with the Eversource Energy Business Center to ensure the Affinity LED Lighting ledger matches the Eversource Energy inventory that appears on our monthly invoices.

Vice Chair Szauter provided a list of attic stock streetlights that are stored at the highway garage. One of the 50W LED streetlights is designated for use on an open in-warranty service claim for a malfunctioning streetlight on US-3S.

Vice Chair Szauter outlined the history of the three high pressure sodium streetlights still in service (and on the town’s Eversource Energy streetlight monthly invoices) and asked what recommendations the Energy Commission has after all the research conducted by Members Amirault and Moran, and Select Board Chair Bonnie Moroney.

Member Greer departed the meeting at 7:08 p.m.

Under Old Business, Chair Vecchio opened a discussion on the building permit requirement for the Municipal Solar Grant Program project. Vice Chair Szauter reminded members that Ted Vansant of Barrington Solar stated that Barrington Solar would submit both the building permit application, as well as the grid interconnect and Eversource Energy Commercial & Industrial Grant applications for the project.

Under Tabled, Chair Vecchio mentioned the Energy Evaluation of Town of Carroll Wells/Water Treatment Buildings & Tanks Report of Dec. 18, 2024 is on hold until either the Public Water Director, Scott Sonia or the Carroll Select Board requests assistance from the Energy Commission.

Under Other, Chair Vecchio asked if there were any items from members. Member Amirault announced that after careful consideration, he had decided not to seek another term on the Energy Commission. He thanked Commission members for the opportunity to serve and contribute to the first two projects (LED streetlight conversion and Municipal Solar Grant Program project) undertaken by the Commission. Each member thanked Member Amirault for his service to the Commission and the community, and invited him to attend future meetings and events when possible.

With nothing else to discuss, Chair Vecchio announced the next regularly-scheduled Energy Commission meeting is Wednesday, Jul. 9 at 5:00 p.m. in the Town Hall Community Room.

With no additional items for discussion, Chair Vecchio entertained a motion for adjournment. Chair Vecchio motioned to adjourn. Member Mycko seconded the motion. With no additional discussion, the motion passed unanimously and the meeting was adjourned at 7:22 p.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