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Selectmen authorize town manager to pursue solar credit contract, seek lump-sum payment
Summary
The Winchester Board of Selectmen voted unanimously to authorize the town manager to begin contract negotiations for a proposed renewable auction program that would pay the town an estimated $450,000 in avoided-cost credits; the board asked staff to negotiate payment timing favoring a lump-sum in the 2025–26 fiscal year.
The Winchester Board of Selectmen unanimously authorized the town manager to begin contract negotiations for a renewable auction program that would use the town’s energy credits to deliver a payment to Winchester.
Supporters said the program would not obligate the town to future solar projects and would provide near-term revenue. Selectman Sam Pozzo described the program to the board as “absolutely free money. There is no hitches.” Town Manager Paul Harrington told the board he would bring a draft contract back for review before any signature.
The board’s action followed an explanation that the company estimates about $450,000 in payments and that the town’s “beneficial amount usage” was estimated at roughly 3.3 MWh. Selectmen discussed two payment structures: a lump-sum payment or installments spread over five years. Pozzo and several members said the town should press for a lump-sum payment in fiscal year 2025–26 so the money could be applied to capital needs now.
Harrington asked for authorization to “get into a contract” so the town could reserve the offer and prevent the company from moving to another municipality; he said any contract would be returned to the board for final approval. The board amended the original motion so the authorization would include negotiating for lump-sum payment timing to try to secure monies within the 2025–26 fiscal year.
Action taken: the board voted to authorize the town manager to initiate the contract process, negotiate terms (including negotiation for lump-sum payment within fiscal year 2025–26), and return any proposed contract to the board for approval. The motion passed unanimously.
Officials said they would seek more detailed contract language and technical review before final signature, and requested that vendor representatives or subject-matter experts be available by videoconference during future review.
The board emphasized that the town would not be locked into future solar development by this agreement and that staff should pursue additional details about payment timing, exact amounts, and whether the payment would be delivered as a single sum or over multiple years.
