Energy Committee Minutes 3-17-2023

Energy Committee Minutes 3-17-2023

RUTLAND TOWN SELECT BOARD / PLANNING COMMISSION COMMITTEE MEETING

ENERGY COMMITTEE

FRIDAY MARCH 17^th, 2023

The Energy Committee of the Rutland Town Select Board and Planning Commission met at 1:00 PM on Friday March 17^th, 2023, at the Municipal Town Hall. Present was Select Board Chair Mary Ashcroft, Planning Commission Chair Barbara Pulling, Planning Commission Member Sherman Hunter, Planning Commission Member Norm Cohen, and Town Administrator Bill Sweet.

1. Discussion of the event and vendor options for the Town Wide Celebration
   1. GMP has a program to highlight electric vehicles. They provide different vehicles to allow people to see them. After some discussion, the group agreed this would be a good idea for the event. We would ask them to bring no more than 6 vehicles.
   2. Discussed having vendors for various battery powered lawn tools. LaValleys, Harbor Freight and Home Depot will be contacted to see if they can participate.
   3. Efficiency Vermont is planning to attend. Weatherization will be a focus for their information. Heat Squat and BROC will also be invited.
   4. The school has given permission to use their various outlets to advertise this event as well.
   5. Discussed having electric bikes at the event. Some options will be investigated.
2. Discussed working with the school to create an energy science fair or energy club. This will be brought up at the school.
3. Discussed installing solar arrays on Town owned buildings.
   1. There are some new state grant programs, we may be able to use some of them for planning solar projects.
   2. There are some grant requirements we need to ensure we meet.
   3. The committee is in favor of moving forward with grant applications.
   4. There are several town buildings which could be good for installing solar panels on. Also discussed parking lot arrays, and town owned parcels for solar array sites.
   5. Installing arrays on town buildings / property will be brought up to the full Board to discuss what next steps should be taken.

The meeting adjourned at 2:24 PM.

Respectfully submitted, Bill Sweet