Energy Commission Minutes

Minutes of 7/8/2026

July 8th, 2026

Carroll Energy Commission (CEC) Minutes
Meeting of July 8, 2026 @ 5:00 p.m.
Carroll Town Hall - Conference Room
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, Vice Chair Bill Vecchio, Member John Greer. Melissa Elander from Clean Energy NH attended via Zoom.
• Chair invited all attendees to rise and join in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Minutes of the June 10, 2026 Carroll Energy Commission meeting: Vice Chair Vecchio motioned to approve the minutes as written, Member Greer seconded. All voted to approve the minutes as written.

New Business:
1. Affinity LED Lighting proposal for transfer station: Chair Szauter noted the proposal to replace all 29 lights at a cost of $11,157, with Eversource rebate of $5,720 issued back to the town was approved by the Selectboard at the 6/30/2026 meeting. Funds will be deducted from the Energy Efficiency Capital Reserve Fund, and the rebate will be deposited back into that fund once received.
2. Transfer Station Demand Use Analysis: Chair discussed the demand charge on the Eversource electric invoice and restated that the compactor and the baler should not be run at the same time. Vice Chair discussed the demand component of the bill itself, indicating that the electric utilities must ensure the electricity capacity is available to meet the peak usage. Demand is calculated typically in 15-minute increments and averaged for the month. Vice Chair met with Matt (Labore) at the transfer station and asked about timing of running the compactor and baler. Matt is aware of the electrical demand if both are operating at the same time, and said the baler is run in the morning. Vice Chair discussed obtaining a data recorder to monitor actual electrical usage. He also indicated a need to review the name plate identifier to determine the capacity. Melissa Elander noted the town of Shelburne purchased a data logger for $1,000 and she will provide information to Vice Chair. Member Greer asked about operating the compactor less frequently. Vice Chair noted the consumption charge on the electric bill would likely outweigh any demand savings. Vice Chair verified with Melissa Elander that NHSaves offers incentives for motors in new construction, not for replacements. Member Greer asked about the high electricity bills incurred for the water pumps. He noted the VFD (variable frequency drives) are set to 100%, Chair noted the drives were reviewed in the 2024 NH DES analysis.


Old Business:
1. SolarAPP+ app: Vice Chair Vecchio reached out to Mike Hagan, Keene Community Development about their use of SolarApp+, but has not heard back. A SolSmart webinar was presented on 6/18/2026, which Vice Chair Vecchio and Planning Board member Rena Vecchio attended. Chair suggested to Vice Chair to check with the Land Use Secretary about the number of applications for installation of solar panels that have been received. Vice Chair asked to keep this on the agenda as we see how other towns do once the app is in place.
2. IRS Elective Pay filing: Chair Szauter noted there is no update. Member Greer noted the IRS is not offering this going forward, so the town filed well before the closing of the program.
3. Legislative update-SB 440 (C-PACER): Chair noted SB 440 regarding C-PACER was signed into law. Vice Chair indicated the Clean Energy NH website has a legislative link, which is helpful. Vice Chair noted he will speak with the Chamber of Commerce in September about the C-PACER. He hopes that the Foster’s Crossroads commercial rebate that was included in the town newsletter will encourage other businesses to participate in the NHSaves programs. Chair noted that the Select board should be informed only if there is interest in the C-PACER district being established. Melissa Elander said she can provide helpful information to the Vice Chair for his discussion with the Chamber of Commerce.
4. Legislative update-SB 538 (net metering): Chair noted the bill was signed into law by Governor Ayotte, effective 7/1/2026. Vice Chair indicated “plug-and-play” solar systems do not meet US standards.
5. Public Safety Building Solar Array Reports: Chair provided details of the Public Safety Building kWh usage by month, and details of the Solar PV Array system production, purchases and sales. Vice Chair asked what “sales” represent. Chair said the “sales” represent the production that was sent to the grid. The Eversource invoice for the most current month was not available for tonight’s meeting.
6. Eversource Streetlight invoice: Chair noted that the streetlight inventory data agree. The townwide current invoice is $772.91. Member Greer asked about comparisons to invoicing before the conversion. Chair noted pre-conversion annual streetlight cost was approximately $21,000. Post-conversion, annual cost will be approximately $8,000. Member Greer appreciated the data, and noted the 4-year payback remains on track.
7. Removal of Rosebrook streetlights: Chair said Eversource opened a workorder to remove the streetlights 6/23/2026. Secretary Moran noted she drove by to ensure the lights were gone. Vice Chair asked about the removal cost. Chair said the invoice had not yet been received.
8. New projects and priorities discussion: Vice Chair C-PACER discussion with the Chamber and Vice Chair doing more research on the transfer station demand.
Tabled:
Potential funding sources for future projects: Chair noted perhaps NH DES or NHSaves may be able to provide funds for motors or VFD. Vice Chair noted North Country Council may have infrastructure funds through Norther Border Regional Commission Catalyst Program. Water system upgrade is infrastructure.


Other:
• Member Greer will check with the Road Agent about any follow-up that has been done since the 2024 water system analysis was issued. He is focused on the highest electric usage. He wants to ensure the VFD is used efficiently and effectively. Chair noted a follow-up was done a few months ago, but a report was not issued.
• Vice Chair Vecchio, regarding SolSmart, noted he and Planning Board member Rena Vecchio are looking into possible zoning regulations for solar arrays. Member Greer suggested the State has regulations so we should not duplicate those. Melissa Elander and Sarah Brock will provide information to Vice Chair.

The next regularly-scheduled Energy Commission meeting is scheduled for Wednesday August 12, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. in the Conference Room at the Town Hall.

With no additional items for discussion, Vice Chair Vecchio motioned to adjourn, Secretary Moran seconded. With no additional discussion, the motion passed and the meeting adjourned at 5:57 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