Energy Commission Minutes

Minutes of 3/11/2026

March 11th, 2026

Carroll Energy Commission Minutes
Meeting of March 11, 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 5:02 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, and Member John Greer. Melissa Elander, Clean Energy New Hampshire (CENH) attended via Zoom.
• Chair invited all attendees to rise and join in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Minutes of the February 18, 2026 Carroll Energy Commission meeting: Member Mycko motioned to approve the minutes of the February 18, 2026 meeting, Vice Chair Vecchio seconded, but with one recommended amendment. Specifically on page 2, Old Business, Item #7, the minutes indicated the Vice Chair “attended a meeting in Conway”, but he noted that he had read an article in the Conway Daily Sun about the meeting. Chair Szauter asked for a motion on the amendment, which was made by Member Mycko and seconded by Vice Chair Vecchio. Member Mycko motioned for the minutes to be approved as amended, Vice Chair Vecchio seconded, all in favor. Member Greer abstained.

New Business:
1. Vice Chair Vecchio participated in a webinar regarding SB 538, presented by CENH. Secretary Moran asked the status of the legislation, having seen on the NH.gov legislative bill tracking system that the last hearing was in January 2026, with a note that a report had been filed and was on the “Consent Calendar”. Chair Szauter reviewed the Consent Calendar and the referenced SB 538 is on it. Discussion ensued about legislation “cross-over”, that is, pending legislation approved in the House and/or Senate separately is then reviewed by the Senate and House. Any recommended changes to the legislation must then be approved by the initiating legislative body. Cross-over is March 26, 2026.
a. Vice Chair noted that a letter in support of SB 538 was presented to the Carroll Selectboard and signed by Chair Moroney. Vice Chair Vecchio asked Melissa Elander if the Energy Commission should also sign that letter, or sign a separate (but identical) letter. Melissa Elander said for CENH internal tracking, she preferred 2 letters. On motion made by Member Mycko and seconded by Vice Chair Vecchio, all agreed Chair Szauter should sign on behalf of the Carroll Energy Commission. Chair and Vice Chair will email PDF of both signed letters to CENH after tonight’s meeting.

Old Business:
1.Vice Chair Vecchio noted that Ted Stiles from Yankee Thermal will be at the March 31, 2026 NHSaves Button Up Workshop. Marketing of the Workshop was discussed, with the date, time, details posted by Member Mycko on Facebook community pages for Carroll, Bethlehem, Littleton, Franconia, and Whitefield. Vice Chair provided the information to the Salmon Press for publication. Posters will be displayed around town as the date approaches. Vice Chair will have water and seltzer water available and will speak with Yaya’s about cookies. Chair Szauter will make the presentation available via Zoom, which will be recorded for future reference if requested.

2.Regarding the NH DoE Commercial and Industrial Incentive: Chair reminded the Commission that the incentive included in the 2025 warrant ($10,000) was not available. At Member Mycko’s suggestion (at the 2/18/2026 Carroll Energy Commission meeting), Chair contacted the NH Municipal Association (NHMA) for clarification of how to handle the lack of anticipated funding. The grant was part of the solar array warrant approved by voters. Chair Szauter noted the NHMA attorney said the grant was expected but not guaranteed, so there is nothing that needs to be done. Member Mycko suggested letting the Selectboard know. Member Greer questioned why the grant was not disbursed as anticipated. Chair stated that the program closed June 30, 2025, and our application was not in the queue prior to that time. The system was connected in September 2025, and the application for the grant was submitted at that time.
3.Knollwood Energy REC contract modification: Chair Szauter summarized the timeline of the Town Attorney contact, questions, responses regarding the contract; Chair spoke with the Town Attorney again (with Selectboard authorization). Three suggestions for clarification of the contact were: inclusion of an indemnification clause (language per Primex, town insurer), adjustment of “state of NJ to state of NH”, and a termination for cause clause. Chair noted that the Town Attorney suggested he contact Knollwood to negotiate termination for cause (with either 30- or 60- days’ notice). Chair is hesitant as he is not an attorney. Member Greer asked about the REC accumulation. Chair stated they are being accumulated. Once the termination clause is negotiated, Chair suggested the Commission review the edited contract before sending to the Selectboard for approval. Member Greer questioned the 30- or 60-day timeframe. Secretary Moran noted that those days are standard contract language, to avoid sudden unexpected termination by either party. Member Mycko agreed.
4.Regarding the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Elective Pay for Solar PV array project: Member Greer stated that Anita Greer anticipates the ability of the town to file without the need for the 6-month extension. Chair Szauter appreciated the information, and asked if next week would be possible to file. Member Greer said yes, Anita will contact the Administrative Assistant to have documents printed for review prior to sitting with her to do the online filing.
5.Regarding the Walden Renewables contact: Member Greer stated he has not heard from Dale Knapp, but will send another email. Chair suggested inviting him to tour the transfer station site, now that the snow is melting. All agreed reaching out to him, and others who were not interested when initially proposed, was prudent. Vice Chair Vecchio noted some of the contractors may have been hesitant to invest, with the status of SB 538 unknown last Fall.
6.Regarding REC reporting complication: Chair Szauter noted that Jack Bingham continues to manually upload solar details, in the monthly timeframe coinciding with the Eversource invoices.
7.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 3/4/2026. Despite low generation in November, December, January and February due to snow cover, the project continues as estimated, generation of 60 MWh per year. Discussion about clearing snow from the panels took place, with Chair saying he tried, but the pitch of the roof is too shallow.
a. Regarding the power anomalies in the Town Public Safety Building, Chair informed the Commission that lugs were not wired correctly and he is waiting for Derek Chase to correct. The Police Department has the ability to monitor the anomalies, but Chair and Vice Chair both noted there are no patterns yet to determine the cause. Both will monitor after the lugs are correctly wired. Member Greer asked for clarification of the money being saved, Vice Chair noted the estimated annual savings are approximately $15,000. LED streetlights are estimated to save about the same.
8.Regarding the three streetlights on Rosebrook Lane: Town continues to pay for the three high pressure sodium streetlights on Rosebrook Lane. Vice Chair indicated the Selectboard Chair, Bonnie Moroney, will review Selectboard minutes again, with assistance from Rena Vecchio, member of the Twin Mountain/Bretton Woods Historical Society. Minutes from 1984 – 2002 are paper archives only. Secretary Moran reminded Vice Chair that Commission members could assist by reviewing certain years, if that would be helpful. Overall focus is still to determine ownership of the road. Chair Szauter and Fire Chief Duncan reviewed the Town GIS and noted Rosebrook Lane is clearly identified as a Private Road. Location of the portion of the road that was not deemed “up to Town specifications” appears to be at the top end of Phase 2, rather than the lower end where the streetlights are. Member Mycko noted the road appears to cross private property of the Sylvester Family Trust. He will look into the deed for language relative to a Right of Way. He also noted that any portion of a road not considered up to the Town specifications deems the whole road as not up to specifications. Member Greer suggested turning the lights off. Vice Chair Vecchio and Chair Szauter noted there is a disconnection cost to do that. Member Mycko suggested reviewing Selectboard minutes near the Town voting, as any warrant article related to this issue would likely be discussed. Vice Chair appreciated the suggestion but will review all to ensure no documented discussion is missed.
9.Regarding C-PACER: Chair Szauter and Vice Chair Vecchio noted SB440 that will allow Selectboards rather than a town-wide vote to establish the C-PACER district, is likely to pass in May 2026.
10.Regarding the Eversource streetlights: Chair Szauter noted the Large Power Billing (LPB) system issues from Eversource appear to be resolved. However, Chair stated that the Town is calling Eversource each month on the first business day requesting a PDF of the LPB invoice so it can be given to the Town Office and Treasurer for timely payment. LPB are paper only, and typically received late. The other 9 Town accounts with Eversource can be viewed online. Chair said he downloads the PDF of the 9 invoices, and gives them to the Town Administrative Assistant for processing through Accounts Payable. Those invoices are then paid via check. Chair asked Secretary Moran if the Town is able to pay the 9 Eversource invoices electronically. Secretary Moran (as Deputy Treasurer) indicated it is possible, but she is not aware that that has been addressed. Member Mycko will bring the suggestion for electronic payments to the Selectboard on March 17, 2026. Secretary Moran noted that Chair Szauter should not be part of the monthly payment process.

11.New projects and priorities discussion: A Water Survey was approved by Town voters at the March 10, 2026 election. The survey being conducted by water engineers will determine and recommend location(s) for new well siting, tanks, etc. Member Mycko noted the Water Department needs to replace well pumps. Location of any new well and/or tank will depend on many factors. Vice Chair Vecchio asked if current well and tank locations will remain where they are. Member Mycko said yes.

Tabled:
Potential funding sources for future projects: Vice Chair Vecchio noted he knows of two new opportunities which he received from Senator Shaheen’s office. He is looking into them and will provide additional information at a future meeting.

Other:
Vice Chair Vecchio participated in an Eversource Webinar at which utility bills were discussed. His expectation was detailed analysis, but the presentation focused on the different components of a utility bill, such as distribution and supply rates. He noted much of the webinar focused on bill assistance. Vice Chair offered to compile a handout summarizing the programs available for those needing bill assistance. Member Mycko stated that was a good idea, and he summarized the process the Town follows when a member of the public requests help.

Member Greer noted that the Commission should be commended for not promoting Community Power, as other participating towns are struggling with the costs.

Chair Szauter reminded members the next regularly-scheduled Energy Commission meeting will be April 8, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. in the Town Hall Conference Room.

With no additional items for discussion, Member Mycko motioned to adjourn. Secretary Moran seconded the motion. With no additional discussion, the motion passed unanimously and the meeting was adjourned at 6:40 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Karen Moran, Secretary

Carroll Energy Commission Note: terms end on October 1 of the listed year
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