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Commission hears $440,000 town-office energy upgrade, but historic roof complicates solar plan
Summary
Officials discussed a $440,000 grant for town-office exterior and heat-pump upgrades with potential battery backup; commissioners also reviewed an advanced energy plan that needs updated mapping and an equity analysis, and noted rooftop solar may be infeasible because the town office is on the historic registry and has a slate roof.
The Planning Commission discussed energy and grant priorities at its Nov. 25 meeting after Vice Chair John Sabotka flagged a possible $440,000 grant for exterior upgrades and a heat-pump installation at the town office, with a potential battery-backup component.
Commissioners and regional planner Jeremy Gildrin said the town's advanced energy plan is roughly 90% complete but needs new mapping and an equity analysis before finalization. Gildrin said funding may be available for the regional planning commission to work directly with the town on completing the plan; the commission indicated support for that assistance.
Frank Nelson urged including a solar component in the $440,000 project, but Chair Jessica Van Oort noted that solar panels must be roof-mounted for this grant and the town office's slate roof, which is on the historic registry, would likely make rooftop panels unacceptable. The commission did not adopt a final scope for the $440,000 upgrade at the meeting.
The commission asked members to compare the draft advanced energy plan to regional boilerplate materials and to return with suggested edits. No formal vote on the grant or project scope occurred Nov. 25.
