04/06/2021 EC Minutes
TOWN OF BETHLEHEM
2155 Main Street
Bethlehem, NH 03574
Bethlehem Energy Commission
Tuesday April 6, 6:00pm
Minutes
Attending: David Van Houten, Mark Koprowski, Mary Lou Krambeer, Dan Crosby, Bruce Caplain
Excused: Chuck Phillips, Josiah Chamberlain
Public: Melissa Elander, Barry Zitser
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 March 16, 2021 meeting. David makes motion, Dan seconds motion. Approved.
Solar heater for pool – Tim Fleury has asked about the possibility of installing a solar heater for the Town Pool. TO DO: 1) Dan Crosby will contact Tim about a site visit to see what to do and how much it will cost. 2) Melissa said she could get in touch with PAREI to see if they have any leftover equipment for such a project.
EV chargers – Bruce and David looked into chargers. Woodstock Station supplier will be connecting with Bruce. TO DO: Barry offered to contact Eversource.
Town Hall – David — waiting for results of audit and engineer should visit by the end of the month with a report expect at end of May or in early June.
Village Water District DES recap. Consultant spoke to Water Commission. Leaky pipes have been fixed. This system is doing well in comparison to like-systems around NH. Small improvements discussed and should be pursued. Biggest suggestion was to install solar to cover electric. This should be a simpler solar project to coordinate and a smaller system. We need to look at KWh needed and then look at an appropriate-sized system. USDA Rural Development can fund the water plant solar array if it is part of a water infrastructure upgrade project. The financing would be 25-45% grant and the balance loan. As the solar would be an add on to the project, the solar would essentially be fully grant funded. TO DO: TBD
Town solar project:
> finalize funding approach; clarify warrant article wording TO DO: Mary Lou and Bruce rewrite warrant and send it around.
> timeline on solar education: working on video for public education portion of the project. Need final numbers. To Do: 1) ask Josiah to go through the numbers once again – and state savings in terms of savings of “approximately x dollars”. 2) arrange for a photo of BEC members for use in the video 3) TO DO: David will ask to be placed on BES and Library agendas for the month of May so we may show our video and start getting out the word.
>Bethlehem has been nominated by NH Clean Energy as a Clean Energy Champion – perhaps mention this in the video? TO DO: Mary Lou send follow-up info to the Clean Energy Champion contact.
Public input – Barry suggested we build a contingency into our solar energy figures.
BTS Project Timeline
April Begin video production, finalize warrant article wording;
May 5/4 meeting; 6pm. Circulate video.
June Deliberative session 6/4; 6pm
July Town Election 7/13
Anything else?
Next meeting date: Tuesday, May 4 at 6pm on Zoom
Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88278749973 Meeting ID: 882 7874 9973 One tap mobile +13017158592,,88278749973# US (Washington DC) +13126266799,,88278749973# US (Chicago)
Public input
Adjourn 6:58pm
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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.gov
-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.
