Northampton organizers plan Sunday climate outreach to link residents with electrification rebates and vendors

Denise Lello, a presenter to the Northampton Energy and Sustainability Commission, said the city will host a community ‘‘Sunday’’ event to publicize electrification programs and remaining rebates and to let residents meet vendors and see equipment. The event is planned at Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School and will run from 1 to 4 p.m.; the meeting record shows a date was not specified in the materials provided to the commission.

The event’s organizers said the program will include two speaker sessions, tables with local installers and nonprofits, outdoor demonstrations of e-bikes and heat-pump or solar equipment, children’s activities and food. ‘‘We wanted to get that out in the public and get them a chance to see vendors, meet vendors, look at equipment,’’ Denise Lello said at the Sept. 9 meeting.

Organizers framed the event as timely because state legislation and rebate windows are moving quickly. Lello told the commission that many rebate programs require installations by a December deadline to qualify; she urged public outreach to help residents take advantage of remaining funds. Alex Bowman, a Northampton resident who spoke during public comment, argued that bicycle infrastructure also should be part of the city’s climate strategy: ‘‘Low stress bike networks must be treated as core climate infrastructure,’’ Bowman said.

Speakers planned for the event include regional and municipal staff and partners: Peter Wingate of Community Action Pioneer Valley (regional energy programs), city speakers Ben and Carolyn from Planning and Sustainability, Sophie Pertano from East Hampton, and a representative from Smith College to discuss that campus’s geothermal project, organizers said. Vendors and tablers expected at the event include solar and heat-pump installers, an e-bike dealer, an e-landscaper, Electrify Northampton/East Hampton outreach staff and community advocates.

Organizers said they are still recruiting commercial participants; several solar installers told organizers they face logistic challenges meeting rebate installation deadlines. Tina Cornell, who assisted with publicity, said the event is already listed on sunday.earth and that the Gazette had indicated it would cover the event beforehand; she said organizers have updated the QR code and will circulate bilingual and social-media flyers for commission members to share.

Organizers asked departments for participation. Katie Deppen, identified at the meeting as the city’s director of central services, said she was looking forward to working with the commission. Staff asked the Department of Public Works and the Building Department to consider staffing a table, though organizers acknowledged Sunday staffing could limit availability.

Organizers said they will send the commission digital flyers and social graphics and asked members to help spread the word. Lello said she would circulate the bilingual flyer and social media artwork to the commission.