Energy Commission Minutes

Minutes of 12/10/2025

December 10th, 2025

Carroll Energy Commission Minutes
Meeting of December 10, 2025 @ 5:00 p.m.
Carroll Town Hall
The Carroll Energy Commission mission is to advise, encourage, and facilitate energy conservation, energy efficiency, and clear energy solution for public building and properties, businesses, and resident homes. The Commission 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 documented 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.

The meeting was called to order at 5:00 p.m. by Chair Szauter.

Commission members in attendance: Chair Imre Szauter, Member John Greer, Secretary Karen Moran, Member and Select Board representative Brian Mycko. Vice Chair Vecchio was not available.


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

Minutes of the November 11, 2025 Carroll Energy Commission meeting were discussed. Member Greer motioned to approve the minute as written, Chair Szauter seconded. All were in favor, with Member Mycko abstaining due to him not attending the November 11 meeting.

New Business:
1. Regarding the Knollwood Energy REC contract modifications: Chair Szauter noted that the recommended adjustments to clarify specific payment terms was presented to the town attorney, who has additional questions. Chair will check with Meg Basnar regarding follow-up with the attorney.
2. Regarding the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Elective Pay for Solar PV array project: Chair Szauter noted he, Meg Basnar and Anita Greer sat on 11/18/2025 to complete the Internal Revenue registration. The application was rejected as incomplete, due to using the information for IRS Code section 48 rather than section 48(e), Low-Income Communities Bonus Program. The application was resent 11/30/2025 and Chair is waiting to hear from the IRS. Once registration number is assigned, the town can file for an extension (by May 15, 2026) to file the tax return which will allow for grant funding to offset the Public Safety solar project.
3. Regarding the Walden Renewables contact: Member Greer noted that he had communicated with Dale Knapp via email regarding a possibly larger solar project at the landfill site, and Mr. Knapp noted he would like to walk the site. All agreed that the Energy Commission should continue to pursue this as a possible project, that walking the site early in 2026 is doable, and that Scott Sonya, Public Works Superintendent, walk the site with us, as he is most familiar with the layout.
4. Regarding town email addresses, Member Mycko noted that personal devices used to access “.gov” email addresses could be subpoenaed in the event of a lawsuit. After discussing the costs ($3 per month for 5 members = $180 per year), Secretary Moran noted that it does not seem like an efficient use of funds. Member Mycko suggested that Chair Szauter obtain a town email address, separate from EnergyCommission, as he works on many town projects. All in favor. Also, Member Mycko noted that the town is converting its email from xxx.@CarrollNH.org to “.gov” effective December 17, 2025. Chair Szauter asked if the existing email accounts will transition for period of time, and Member Mycko indicated they would. The Energy Commission individual email addresses will be removed from the agenda, unless and until it becomes necessary to discuss further.

Old Business:
1. REC reporting: Chair Szauter noted there is no update. Reporting continues to be a manual effort that Barrington Solar communicate to Knollwood Energy, when the REC contract is signed.
2. Public Safety building solar array: Chair Szauter presented the usage tables he created to demonstrate the functionality of the array. The tables can be used to discuss with the public, and could be put on the website. The Eversource bills for the prior 3 months reflected amounts due of $-0- for September; $222 for October; $1,022 for November. Discussion ensued regarding the positive annual impact the array will have. The tables demonstrate:
a. Building Usage = Production + Purchased – Sales
b. Timing of Eversource electronic invoices continues to be an issue, but late fees are excluded from actual payments made by the town, and Eversource agrees.
3. Chair Szauter stated the Eversource street light ledger (inventory) agrees with the ledger detail of Affinity. However, the monthly invoice continues to have 11 incorrect lighting charges. Chair is in contact with a corporate employee at Eversource, who is helpful, and stated Eversource may ask to view onsite the 11 disputed items. All agreed onsite would be fine.
4. Regarding the three streetlights on Rosebrook Lane, Member Mycko noted that Select Board Chair Moroney is continuing to research the road responsibility. All information from both the town and the homeowners’ association should be provided to both legal teams to determine the road ownership. Timing was not discussed.
5. Regarding potential new projects: Refer to New Business item #3
6. Regarding C-PACER: Member Greer asked about C-PACER. Chair Szauter noted it is for privately owned businesses, not for municipalities. Secretary Moran noted the town has to establish “districts’. Chair Szauter noted it could be a warrant article for the 2027 town ballot. The C-PACER should remain on the agenda.

Tabled:
1. Regarding the Carroll Water System, Member Mycko noted there will be a warrant article on the 2026 ballot for researching the location and feasibility of a new water tank and/or well due to the expansion of homes built. The engineering study will determine siting. At the time any expansion is determined, the Energy Commission could assist if requested by the Water Commission/Select Board. Member Mycko also noted there will be 2 dry hydrants installed for fire support. One will be at the town recreation area. Location of the 2nd was not discussed. This item will be removed from the agenda until the engineering report is issued.
2. Potential funding sources for future projects: Member Greer inquired of grants for any additional solar projects, such as on the town hall. Chair Szauter noted the roofline is not south facing, thus an array is possible, but may not be efficient.

Other:
1. Chair Szauter informed the Commission that 6 of the 125 LED have failed. The town currently has no stock but will receive three 50W LED back into inventory. Currently, replacement is billed to Affinity, but going forward, the town will be responsible for Eversource labor charges to replace any failed bulbs. Labor is approximately $189. Discussion ensued regarding failure of the bulb or photosensor. Chair Szauter suggested including $500 in the town budget to cover any labor charges. Member Mycko noted he will contact Scott Sonya about including this in the 2026 Highway department budget.
2. Chair Szauter noted Melissa Elander asked if newly formed Energy Commission members from Northumberland could contact the Carroll Energy Commission. Chair sent the Northumberland Commission the Clean Energy NH blog post about the LED replacement.


Chair Szauter reminded members the next regularly-scheduled Energy Commission meeting will be January 14, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. in the Town Hall Conference Room.

With no additional items for discussion, Chair Szauter entertained a motion for adjournment. Member Mycko motioned to adjourn. Secretary Moran seconded the motion. With no additional discussion, the motion passed unanimously and the meeting was adjourned at 5:58 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Karen Moran, Secretary

Carroll Energy Commission
John Greer, Member, 2025-2028
Karen Moran, Member, 2025-2028
Brian Mycko, Member and Select Board representative, 2023-2026
Imre Szauter, Chair, 2024-2027
Bill Vecchio, Vice Chair, 2023-2026
Note: terms end on October 1 of the listed year