Energy Commission Minutes

Minutes of 1/14/2026

January 14th, 2026

Carroll Energy Commission Minutes
Meeting of January 14, 2026 @ 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, Secretary Karen Moran, Member and Select Board representative Brian Mycko, Vice Chair Bill Vecchio. Member John Greer attended via Zoom.

Members of the public in attendance, via Zoom, were Anita Greer and Melissa Elander.


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

Minutes of the December 10, 2025 Carroll Energy Commission meeting were discussed. Member Mycko motioned to approve the minute as written, Chair Szauter seconded. All were in favor, with Vice Chair Vecchio abstaining due to him not attending the December 10 meeting.

New Business/Other:
Vice Chair Vecchio noted an update from Clean Energy NH and the possibility that Renewable Energy Credits (REC) may be in peril.

Vice Chair Vecchio stated he had been contacted by John Puc regarding Mr. Puc’s company providing energy efficiency measures, etc. The company is based in Fall River MA, and indicated it may be able to provide the Town with electric vehicle charging stations at no cost to the Town. Bullets of the details will be provided to Vice Chair Vecchio (via email) Friday January 16, 2026. Melissa Elander stated she has heard of public/private partnerships for EV charging stations, but is not aware of any yet installed.

Vice Chair Vecchio noted that John O’Quinn from Interstate Renewable Energy Council provided him with information regarding free technical assistance for large scale solar projects. Vice Chair Vecchio thanked him, and indicated the Energy Commission has members with that sort of expertise.


Old Business:
1. Regarding the Knollwood Energy REC contract modifications: Chair Szauter noted that Jack Bingham (Barrington Solar) asked for the status of the contract. Chair Szauter stated that the status of the questions Town Counsel had, and his responses, are unknown at this time. 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 IRS approved the application and the registration was provided on 12/10/2025. Anita Greer noted she continues to read appropriate tax code sections, understands there are 3 forms required (#990-T, #3800, and additional one for solar projects that began in 2025). She will meet with Chair Szauter early in March 2026 to discuss technical questions, have Meg Basnar print the forms and instructions. Clarification of the array rating was discussed: Chair and Vice Chair noted the system is 60kW DC, with inverters at 50kW AC. Clarification that the system is well below one megawatt was noted.
3. Regarding the Walden Renewables contact: Member Greer noted that he had emailed Dale Knapp last week, with no response received as of 1/14/2026.
4. Regarding REC reporting complication: Chair Szauter noted that Jack Bingham continues to manually upload solar details, as the automated system Barrington Solar is building is still in progress. The system associated initially with the Safety Building, is no longer supported by the Company that installed the software.
5. Regarding the Public Safety Building Municipal Solar Program project: Chair Szauter provided the Commission with an updated table of generation, usage, purchases from inception through 1/4/2026. Despite low generation in November and December, due to snow cover, the project continues as estimated. Usage is stable year over year. Chair Szauter noted there have been “brown outs” at the Safety building. The power fluctuations are likely from the 3-phase line and incorrect lugs, vs the solar array. The original electrical contractor stated the incorrect lugs had been installed. Vice Chair Vecchio agreed the issue could relate to the lines and/or reclosers. Member Mycko stated the Mt. Washington Hotel had a similar issue, and lost one of the 3-phase connections. Member Mycko noted that the UPS software should record low voltages. All computers are on UPS, so should be isolated from power failures. Town hall computers, while not impacted by the power fluctuations, had 2 of 5 new computers fail.
6. Regarding the Eversource Energy ledger and invoice issues (including unconverted lights): Chair Szauter noted the Affinity and Eversource inventory ledgers agree. However, the Eversource Large Power Billing Group streetlight invoice continues to be inaccurate. Eversource told Chair to deduct past due figures, incorrect fixtures, etc., and pay what the Town “thinks it owes”. Vice Chair Vecchio noted that the NH Department of Energy Consumer Services contact had emailed him 1/14/2026, asking if the errors had been addressed. Secretary Moran noted the Chair should again contact the NH DoE asking them to intervene. Chair will follow-up with NH DoE. Chair and Vice Chair will meet to discuss accessing the Energy Commission email.
7. Regarding the three streetlights on Rosebrook Lane: Town continues to pay for the streetlights on Rosebrook Lane. Vice Chair summarized the emails he had sorted, Chair noted there was a warrant article in the early 2000s that defeated accepting Rosebrook Lane (and others) as a Town road. Member Greer asked why the Town could not shut off the streetlights/accounts at Eversource. All agreed that legal clarification of the Town road vs. private road must be determined. Currently the Town owns the streetlights, so if one goes out, the Town is responsible for replacing it unless and until it is determined that it is on a private road. Member Mycko again 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. Vice Chair Vecchio will use the online Corporate Name Lookup on the NH Secretary of State website to understand the current homeowner associations in Bretton Woods.
8. Regarding C-PACER: Melissa Elander noted there are about 10 municipalities looking into this program. Many municipalities are watching what the other municipalities do, and how the program functions. Vice Chair Vecchio appreciates the concept, but has concerns over possible tax liens. Concept is similar to NH Energy Efficiency program “Pay as You Save”.
9. Regarding New Projects:
a. Chair asked about the Water System evaluation. Member Mycko noted there are warrant articles on the 2026 ballot, which, if passed, may allow for energy efficiency review.
b. Vice Chair Vecchio noted that the Tillotson Foundation has grants available; discussed application for funds for the Twin Mountain Historical Society for creation of a website. The Foundation has 3 levels of grants, ranging from up to $2,000 through $300,000.
Other:
1. Chair Szauter and Member Mycko noted that the Town budget requested for 2026 includes $1,000 for streetlight repair.


Chair Szauter reminded members the next regularly-scheduled Energy Commission meeting will be February 11, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. in the Town Hall Conference Room. Member Greer noted he likely cannot attend, and Vice Chair Vecchio noted he may not be available.

With no additional items for discussion, Chair Szauter entertained a motion for adjournment. Member Mycko motioned to adjourn. Secretary Moran and Vice Chair Vecchio seconded the motion. With no additional discussion, the motion passed unanimously and the meeting was adjourned at 6:08 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


NOTE: Update subsequent to adjournment: Next regularly scheduled meeting will be February 18, 2026 at 5:00 in the Town Hall Conference Room