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Reading Energy Board advances MERP building upgrades; knob‑and‑tube wiring at Robinson Hall may not be grant‑eligible
Summary
At a mid‑month meeting the Reading Energy Board reviewed bids and designs for MERP‑funded efficiency upgrades across town buildings, reported Department of Historic Preservation approvals, and flagged knob‑and‑tube wiring at Robinson Hall that likely will not qualify for MERP funding.
At a mid‑month meeting, the Reading Energy Board reported progress on the town’s Municipal Energy Resilience Program (MERP) and outlined building‑specific plans while noting constraints that could affect grant eligibility.
Member Bill Neukomm said bids are being collected for insulation and heat‑pump work at Robinson Hall and that knob‑and‑tube wiring — including connections to Romex — was discovered in the attic. Neukomm said he will coordinate with building trustee Robert Allen on options because the wiring must be addressed before insulation can proceed; he added that funding to remove and replace knob‑and‑tube wiring is unlikely to be eligible under the MERP grant rules as discussed at the meeting.
The board discussed parallel work at other town properties. Bids are being obtained for heat‑pump installations and electrical‑service upgrades at the town Food Shelf. Library work includes plans for attic‑floor reinforcement to permit insulation; the board is coordinating with the Department of Fire Safety on permitting and will issue an RFP for heat pumps after finalizing attic plans. For the Fire House, members agreed to engage a turnkey engineering firm for design, bidding, and implementation of complex make‑up‑air mechanicals; an air‑to‑water heat pump and a battery were described as later‑stage elements to be installed as funding allows.
The board said it has instituted a thorough record‑keeping plan for MERP compliance and reported that the Vermont Dept. of Historic Preservation (DHP) has approved the three buildings that fall under its jurisdiction. Martha Harrison of Mt Ascutney Regional Planning was credited with advising the board on MERP process steps and on 'soft cost' guidance (the board cited a 20% soft‑cost planning assumption). Members also noted recent tariffs on some equipment, such as heat pumps, as a cost‑planning challenge that could affect budgets.
By consensus the board agreed to deprioritize residential weatherization for now in order to focus on MERP work for town‑owned buildings. Member Bill Neukomm said he is working with the Reading Selectboard to gather additional information and town staff views. The board also discussed outreach to recruit volunteers at a townwide 'meet‑up' on May 16 and via Front Porch Forum postings.
No motions or votes on MERP projects were recorded at this meeting. The board set its next meeting for May 15, 2025, at 7 p.m. via Zoom.
