Milford, N.H.  The Milford Board of Selectmen on July 14 approved an addendum to the town's Milford Community Power electric service agreement to include a day‑ahead market adjustment of 1.042 cents per kilowatt‑hour, starting Aug. 1, the board was told.

Board members said the charge stems from a Federal Energy Regulatory Commission decision that the day‑ahead market adjustment (referred to in the meeting as "DAISY") was accepted for implementation on March 1; the board's addendum will record that the town acknowledges the change and allow the town's community power administrator to notify customers. "We first heard about this last Monday," said Leo Lazard, the presenter to the board, describing when staff received the provider's notice. Lazard said the addendum would add "1.042¢ to each of the four different rates, as of August 1."

Why it matters: The board debated whether the town or customers would pay the new charge if the board refused to sign. "If the town doesn't pass it, then the town has to pay it," said Mike Thornton, chair of the Milford Energy Advisory Committee, who addressed the board during public comment. Thornton said the charge is required by law and will be applied to consumers regardless of community power enrollment.

During discussion, board members compared the community power rates to Eversource's supply rates. Staff noted the town's current standard community power rate listed on the agenda was 10.568 cents per kilowatt‑hour and would move to about 11.61 cents, and that Eversource's supply rate was expected to be about 11.08 cents. Panelists said prices fluctuate with buying cycles and that the November contract renewal could change how rates compare.

The board considered whether voting to sign the addendum simply rubber‑stamped a provider charge or whether rejecting it could shift costs to taxpayers. "You're gonna pay the penny. If the town doesn't pass it, then the town has to pay it and it will cost the consumer more," Thornton said during public comment. Lazard told the board staff first received formal rate details this week and that the town had limited choice because the adjustment follows regulatory implementation.

Action taken: Selectmen voted to authorize the vice chair to sign the addendum to the town's current Milford Community Power contract so the provider could proceed with customer notifications and implementation. The record in the meeting is a voice vote; the chair declared "ayes have it."

Discussion versus decision: Board discussion covered (a) timing and communication to ratepayers about opting out of community power, (b) whether the town would absorb the cost if it did not sign the addendum, and (c) the broader volatility of community power pricing between buying cycles. The formal decision was limited: sign the addendum to allow provider notification and implementation. The board did not adopt any new local rates.

What remains unresolved: Board members asked staff to follow up on the provider's customer notice content (whether the postcard would say how to opt out) and requested the underlying contract documents and any supplier explanations be circulated to the board for review before the November renewal.

The meeting record shows the addendum was approved by voice vote; exact roll‑call tallies were not provided in the transcript.