Manchester Energy Committee - Meeting Minutes 8/14/23 @ Town Hall
Attendees: Carl Bucholt, Tim Lalor, Carol Berry, Jim Hand & Scott Murphy
Absent: Jen Lalor (out of town)
Carl called the meeting to order at 5:00 PM
By motion of Carol, second by Tim, the minutes from 6/22/2023 were accepted as written.
Regarding the Electric Drive-In:
Brian Van Horn committed to September 23rd at the same location (lot across from the park house) from 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM.
With a demo in the works for power equipment, the drive-in will be limited to transportation (cars, bikes, etc.).
Carl to prepare a press release targeting the September 15th edition of the Journal, September 18th edition of the Guide, as well as the town's facebook page.
Tim to assist with setup and cleanup.
Earth Matters may co-sponsor and help at the event
Regarding MERP audit/assessment:
Scott to gather energy usage for the past three years. (Oil, propane, electricity)
Scott to investigate applying for Level 2 audit/assessment of Public Safety Facility in addition to Town Hall.
Regarding committee vacancies:
Remaining members should consider/propose candidates.
Regarding a “solar tour”:
Jim to identify the timeframe of the national event to see if we can/should synchronize.
Carl to ask Bill Laberge about site visits versus single-location presentation.
If held outside, no later than mid-October/mid-November..
Regarding the (newly passed) Affordable Heat Act:
Carl to contact VPIRG & Renewable Energy VT (REV) to see what the committee can do to help revise the RES to ensure more in-state generated renewables (resolution, request of the Select Board, etc.).
Regarding commercial e-mower demo at Rec Park:
Dan Mackey from GMP scheduled for September 13 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
By motion of Carol, second by Tim, the committee will sponsor the event.
Jim to ask Dan who the target audience is and who might publicize.
Scott to invite someone from the Manchester Journal to attend the event.
Carl to investigate use of VT News Guide [for publicity].
Regarding Window Dressers Build:
Northshire Build: September 29 through October 4 @ American Legion, Arlington
Carl encouraged all to volunteer (windowdressers.org > Community Builds > Vermont > Bennington County - Northshire > click link to volunteer).
Tim to ask Steven again to relinquish the domain (manchestervtenergycommittee.org).
Scott to put the Energy Committee on the August 22 Select Board meeting.
Starting September 21, 2023, committee meetings will be held the third Thursday of each month at 5 PM at the Manchester town hall.
By motion of Tim, second by Carol, the meeting was adjourned at 5:55 PM.