2022-10-13

10/13/22 Energy Committee Meeting Minutes

Meeting was called to order by Carl at 6:01.

In attendance: Carl Bucholt, Carol Berry, Steven Henry, Jim Hand, Joanne O’Connor

Absent: Jen Lalor, Tim Lalor

Motion to approve minutes from 9/29/22 by Carol; Steven seconded. Approved by all.

EV Charging Stations:

Jim noted that on November 2nd the Development Review Board will discuss the proposal for charging stations and other issues involved in improving the parking lot behind Walgreens. GMP is very interested in putting EV chargers behind Walgreens when the work is done on the parking lot. Other possible EV charging locations: Orvis, Friends of the Sun, and other town-owned parking lots.

Website:

Steven gave an update on our website. On Oct 16th, two domain names will be available using the standard recommendations. At that time, Steven can modify the names to what we want. Steven will check with Leslie Perra on what extension we will use: .gov, .org etc.

Window Dressers:

The wood frames for the storm window inserts are being cut now in Maine. Oct 21-26 are the dates for the Northshire build; volunteers are needed to put the inserts together. There are two 4-hour shifts each day: from 8:30-12:30; and from 1:00-5:00 PM. A total of 632 wk-hours are needed to complete the project; there are only 360 hours booked right now. Still looking for volunteers to participate. Food donations are also welcome. Anyone can volunteer; you don’t need to have ordered inserts.

H 518/ Act 172:

Carl has been in contact with Callie Fishburn, the energy committee liaison at BCRC. She confirmed that the law will be implemented as planned but the procedures are still being written by BGS. The program will likely be delayed until Feb-March.

Town Energy Audit:

On Sunday, October 23rd, the town hall and the fire and rescue building will be audited. A weekend when buildings are empty with no activity is the best time to conduct these audits. Jim Hand arranged for this free audit.

Select Board Meeting:

Carl has received confirmation from Leslie Perra that the Energy Committee will be on the agenda for the October 18th Select Board meeting to give a brief presentation of the accomplishments and short term goals of our committee. This is the same night as Earth Matters’ “Climate Conversation” from 5:30 to 7:00 at the library. Carl and Joanne will speak at the library event and will join the Select Board meeting afterwards.

Energy Sub-Committees:

Carl would like to set up sub-committees that will work on specific tasks. Two identified so far are EV Charging, and funding/grant programs. Joanne has started a spreadsheet of energy-related funding (agency, guidelines, application and expiration dates, and other relevant information).

Next meeting: December 8th at 6pm; location & format TBD.

Steven moved to adjourn; seconded by Carol; all approved.

Meeting adjourned at 6:48 PM.

Follow up about the next EC meeting:

Carl had a meeting with interim town manager, Leslie Perra on Oct 14th, during which the location and format were worked out. We will hold our first in-person meeting at the town hall, on December 8th, at 6pm in the Equinox Room, the small conference room behind the Kilburn Room. Leslie Perra will attend. The meeting will be “live” (in-person) only, without a video link.