Salisbury Energy Committee hears Clean Energy NH briefing; adopts mission statement and schedules energy audit

Salisbury’s Energy Committee met June 10 at Academy Hall and heard a presentation from Sarah Brock, program director of Clean Energy NH, on options for municipal solar and other energy measures. Chair Matt Tilley opened the meeting at 6:15 p.m.; committee members approved the May 13, 2026 minutes by voice vote.

Brock described Clean Energy NH’s two lines of work—advising lawmakers in Concord and helping municipalities and businesses pursue clean-energy projects—and urged Salisbury to develop "shovel ready" projects so it can move quickly when grants become available. Bob Irving summarized the committee’s priorities as pursuing municipal solar and lowering town energy costs.

Brock told the committee residential solar tax credits are no longer available but commercial solar tax incentives remain through 2027; she said Salisbury could recoup roughly 30% if a municipal array under 100 kilowatts is interconnected by December 2027. She also noted that some programs—such as heavy-duty vehicle replacement, electric-vehicle replacement incentives, and battery-energy-storage programs—are not currently good fits for Salisbury, though the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services is developing a public EV-charging program the town might access in the future.

Committee members discussed practical next steps. Lorna Carlisle said she has engaged Revision to evaluate her home for solar and could ask the same contractor to assess town buildings; Brock cautioned that municipal projects require formal bidding so residents and contractors should not assume a private-sale arrangement. Brock suggested Salisbury consider establishing a capital reserve fund or including energy projects in a capital improvements plan to strengthen future grant applications. She also recommended adding solar provisions to the town zoning ordinance and described a no-cost automated permitting tool called Solar APP+ that a building inspector can adopt to streamline rooftop-solar permits.

The committee reviewed outreach and resident programs Brock highlighted—Window Dressers volunteer-made window covers, homeowner coaching, a heat-pump accelerator and the Home Electrification and Appliance Rebate (HEAR) program—and discussed using social media, a town hall, the town website and flyers at the Transfer Station to reach residents. Chair Tilley asked about T‑Mobile Hometown grants after using AI to map Academy Hall as a potential site; Brock said she had not previously worked with those grants.

The committee voted to adopt the proposed website mission statement, which reads: “The Energy Committee monitors Salisbury’s municipal energy use, identifies cost-saving and efficient opportunities, and provides recommendations to the Selectboard in support of responsible town operations.” The motion, made by Vice Chair Lorna Carlisle and seconded by Bob Irving, passed unopposed.

Members confirmed energy audits will be conducted on June 11, with TA Rollins and committee members attending the site visits. Municipal Assistant Samantha Wasil provided the committee with the town’s most recent Unitil commercial bill for review, pointed out demand charges and noted there are currently few commercial supplier options; the only supplier showing in the market quoted a rate higher than the town’s incumbent rate.

The committee scheduled its next meeting for July 8, 2026, at 6 p.m. in Academy Hall and adjourned at 7:45 p.m.