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Committee questions surge in net‑metering costs and whether a formal town‑school agreement exists
Summary
Advisory members flagged rapid growth in solar net‑metering related costs—reported to have risen from a few hundred thousand dollars to over $600,000—and requested that staff and the town manager locate any formal memorandum or agreement; the school committee will discuss the item at its meeting the next day.
Members raised concern that payments tied to a net‑metering/solar credit arrangement have grown rapidly and that documentation of the original understanding is unclear. One committee member told colleagues the expense had grown by more than 200% in three years and that public records did not show a signed agreement.
Leslie said she had not found a signed contract and planned to meet the town manager and the town finance director to gather documents and clarify the purpose and terms of the program. She described the operational practice: the district receives solar credits on its bills, reconciles the credits and any differences with the town, and — when both sides agree — the district pays the town quarterly on the reconciled amount.
Committee members pressed whether the schools had effectively relinquished the right to recognize solar benefits directly and whether the original transaction had intended the school department to shoulder a growing expense. Staff said the historical agreement predates current personnel and that the purpose and mechanics require review; they noted the matter was already on the school committee agenda for the following night.
The advisory committee did not adopt formal recommendations beyond urging staff to collect any existing agreement and to bring updated documentation back to the next advisory meeting. Members said they would keep the issue on the agenda until the school committee and town manager provide clarity.
