07/06/2021 EC Minutes

                                          Bethlehem Energy Commission                                                      

                                                Tuesday July 6, 6:00pm

                                      In Person at the Prospect St. Gazebo

Attending:  David Van Houten, Mary Lou Krambeer, Dan Crosby

Excused:  Josiah Chamberlain, Bruce Caplain, Chuck Phillips, Mark Koprowski (on leave)

Public:  Melissa Elander (Clean Energy, NH advisor), Chris McGrath

 

Agenda

Mission: The Bethlehem Energy Commission was established for the study and planning of energy resources for the town. The commission will evaluate existing energy usage in the town and suggest possible improvements in energy efficiency and conservation, as well as potential clean renewable energy solutions in order to reduce expenses and increase self-reliance.

Review minutes from last meeting

Dan moves to accept minutes, David second.  Unanimously accepted.

Town Hall energy audit

HVAC engineer has looked at school and reviewed various systems.  Look at installing an HVAC air source system with whatever system we eventually decide on and compatible with the current heating system. Geothermal is too massive for the building; heat pump/mini-splits may make sense if the scale is correct.  Talking air to air, not air to water. Stay tuned as systems are speced out for pricing in conjunction with Margaret’s envelope audit.  We will eventually have a presentation from the two consultants and then have a chance to consider the suggestions.  Melissa said Eversource is now requesting bids, rather than audits, prior to letting us know if we can get a rebate.

Town solar project:

Election is on Tuesday with the solar warrant article. If this passes we will need to place funds in a reserve fund, prepare info for eventual RFP by talking to our public officials and public (by October), might have to do a DHR site plan review, look into financing options, talk to USDA RD about a waiver so we may raise additional funds without being penalized, prepare 2022 warrant article. Need to send a year of energy records with proposals. Talk to BES about a solar agreement.

To DO:  David will work on timeline

Portfolio Manager

TO DO:  Melissa will check-in with Nicole; Dan will check with SAU 35 Business Manager Toni Butterfield to incorporate Portfolio Manager

Anything else?

1. Village Water & Sewer

Let Village District know that we will be meeting with solar folks and they may want to meet with them

2. PAREI may have tubes for swimming pool – 30 tubes
3. BEC should talk to our Selectboard liaison about incoming ARPA dollars

Public input

Next meeting date

Tuesday, August 3 at 7pm at the Gazebo

Adjourn at 7:48

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Bethlehem Energy Commission (BEC) is appointed by the Select Board. All meetings are open to the public.

 

Clerical Assistant Nicole McGrath ensures that BEC meeting notices, agendas, and minutes are posted as necessary.

 

To find BEC info go to: www.bethlehemnh.org

-go to government tab

-our committee is listed under: boards and committees tab

-our meetings are posted through Nicole on: agendas and minutes tab

Nicole also posts a hard copy of meeting notices in the Town Hall and at the post office.