04/14/2026 SWG Minutes

Minutes of the April 14, 2026 Meeting of the

Sustainability Working Group

Barry and Bruce commenced the meeting at 5:03 PM via telecommunications.

Barry read the Mission Statement:

The purpose of the Sustainability Working Group (“Group”) is to facilitate, educate and enable residents, businesses and municipal entities on economic, environmental, and socially sustainable practices so humans and nature can exist in productive harmony for present and future generations, while collaborating with others when appropriate.

There was no public input.

There was a presentation by Donald de Voil of Window Dressers about the benefits and expansion of their insulating window inserts program. This non-profit organization began in Maine. It has since expanded to Vermont and New Hampshire, with 52 different teams. During the last year more than 9,000 inserts have been built.

The Window Dressers inserts have wooden frames surrounded by an insulating foam which allows for easy and effective installation and withdrawal. The wood frame has a clear plastic film which provides an R2 value that has a payback period of about 2 years. The average cost of a window insert is about $50, depending on size, but the price will be reduced for economically disadvantaged families. The window inserts have about a ten-year life, and if they do not fit precisely, they will be replaced.

Window Dressers provides training sessions to teach persons how to measure inserts with laser beam precision. Bruce suggested that he would reach out to see whether we can attract enough persons in Bethlehem to refer for training with the hope of establishing a new team.

Mr. de Voil noted that Vermont currently provides up to a $100 rebate for window inserts, but that New Hampshire and Maine do not currently have such a rebate program. Barry inquired as to whether the Group could lobby to have such a rebate program for New Hampshire, and will interface with Window Dressers on this issue.

As a result of the free waste assessment by the Center for Eco-Technology, the Colonial Theatre will be discussing entering into a contract with Waste Management for single stream recycling this Thursday.

The Group’s latest partnering with the Littleton Co-Op in promoting sustainable items was to share in a discount for beeswax products in lieu of plastics. Bruce reported that the products promoted increased their sales markedly, from 2 or 4 to 26 units during the same timeframe. The Group’s share of the promotion was $62, which has already been paid. We are waiting to see what further sustainable product(s) the Co-Op wants to promote.

Barry will give Paul a call about putting together his research on alternatives to plastic temporary lane markers so that the Group can provide the New Hampshire Department of Transportation with a recommendation. The research, to date, indicates that perhaps temporary paint marks would be the least harmful to the environment.

Bruce reported that we are all set to have the bike repair shop booth at the first Sunday that the Littleton Farmers market opens, which is June 7^th. Barry volunteered to write an article for Our Town News to notify Bethlehem residents about this event.

Bruce further noted that the Group’s Instagram account now has some 180 followers. The Group is working to put something together on a web page to be carried on the Town’s website.

On other business, Bruce will get in touch with Representative Jared Sullivan to see if he can arrange for a meeting of Town officials with Tri County Transit to explore the possibility of providing some bus service to Bethlehem.

Barry reported that the Town’s 2025 Annual Report did not include the Group’s submission due to an oversight. Barry had sent it to Nicole and our Select Board liaison for publication. He will do a better job at follow-up next year.

Barry also raised the subject of partnering with The Colonial for another movie presentation this summer, and he will look into some possibilities.

The March minutes were approved.

The next meeting is set for May 12^th at 5 PM.

The meeting adjourned at 5:51.