City sustainability staff updated the commission on completed and current projects, utility‑billing work and grant activity.

Jay, speaking for the sustainability division, said a phase two lighting upgrade at the public library and the Wang School lighting project are nearing completion. Staff reported that multiple rooftop solar arrays (including at the high school) are expected to be operational soon and that production‑monitoring links may be posted on the city website after contractors commission the systems.

Staff also described ongoing grant work. The commission discussed a possible supplemental grant (referred to in discussion as the "Tessie" or transforming energy grant) that could be applied to projects at the former Jean Dark School or another site; staff said a request might be as large as $5 million depending on the chosen project and that National Grid consultants are assisting the city in identifying the best project fit.

Separately, staff described substantial utility‑billing management work. Commissioners heard that the city maintains several hundred utility accounts (staff reported the figure as over 465 accounts) across electric and gas meters for buildings, streetlights, traffic signals and schools. Staff said an inventory and verification effort eliminated more than 50 accounts that no longer exist or were billed in error, and that correcting account assignments and estimates has produced meaningful cost avoidance. Commissioners discussed how billing errors during the COVID period and inconsistent account assignments had led to overcharges in some cases and praised staff for centralizing and clarifying accounts.

Jay said some solar system monitoring will be accessible once installations are commissioned and invited commission members to consider a site visit or request that staff coordinate roof or site visits through school custodial staff.

Ending: Staff will follow up with a draft letter where requested (for other items), provide monitoring links once solar systems are live, and continue work on grant strategy and utility‑account management.