In attendance: Sandra Bravo, Kathleen Bigford, Marlene Freyler, Jenny Howley-Locke, Susan Moss, Laura Ryder
- Review and approval of May Minutes
- Vital Communities Climate Change Leadership Academy Updates.
- Community Power – Q&A by Henry Herndon, consultant for the Community Power Coalition, will need to be rescheduled, (due to car trouble) hopefully for July 18th. Kathleen will continue to try to reach Standard Power.
- Town Hall Renovation Project – See Bradford Bridge for updates. The AeroBarrier insulation work is complete for both the 1st and 2nd floors.
- Municipal Weatherization Status
- Fire Station – The Select Board submitted the signed contracts to NHSaves and Shakes to Shingles to weatherize the Fire Station. The Town will receive $11,871.50 from NHSaves upon completion of the project scheduled for September.
- Highway Garage Update – Air sealing (including the use of AeroBarrier) and insulation of the garage building was completed May 17 and 18, 2023. The replacement of weatherstripping around overhead doors and manways has been subcontracted to Distinctive Doors of New London and is scheduled to be completed before the end of the month. Blower door ratings will be conducted by Shakes to Shingles when the weatherstripping is done to document air leakage from the building.
- Library – Weatherization of our Library in December 2021 resulted in a 25% annual reduction in heating oil use during the 2022 heating season.
- Solar Energy – Kathleen updated the Economic Development Committee on the status of the Energy Committee’s work to identify potential locations for municipal solar projects and our conclusion that at this time there are no feasible opportunities.
A representative from Revision Energy has contacted the town about developing solar at the brownfield. He was unaware of the previous solar exploration conducted by RE several years ago that proved to be untenable. Kathleen will follow up on this.
- Heat Pumps – The Library’s HVAC contractor installed a 5 ton 3 zone ductless heating and cooling system (heat pump) earlier this month which was expected to qualify for an instant rebate from NHSaves of $1250, but in the end needed to be submitted for reimbursement. Electric and fuel usage will be watched closely. We are also watching to see how heat pumps could be used for the town hall.
- Kearsarge Climate Action Mission Statement- Increase community awareness of the climate crisis and identify opportunities for regional collaboration to effect change.
- Sandra will attend the KCA Strategic Planning meeting on 6/15/23 where she will share the Energy Committee’s three top priorities for 2023. They are looking for more participation from the individual town energy committees.
- Improve Communication related to Climate Change. We need to see what others are doing in individual town energy committees. It is important to continue to educate on practical steps to reduce energy use and save money for the individual homeowner.
- Sandra will attend the KCA Strategic Planning meeting on 6/15/23 where she will share the Energy Committee’s three top priorities for 2023. They are looking for more participation from the individual town energy committees.
- Community Power. Moving towards cleaner energy and reducing costs. Bringing this initiative to our town to consider.
- Building community resiliency. Planning for weather events. To qualify for grant money, Bradford needs a Hazard Mitigation plan for how to deal with flooding, wind damage, erosion of roads, and bridge damage. Investigate how to include conservation initiatives.
- A good place to stay on top of NH legislative updates is through the https://www.newhampshirenetwork.org/NH-bills
- BEC Public Outreach
- In the June Bridge, the BEC reported on its efforts in pursuing Community Power in Bradford as a way to offer all residents an opportunity to save money and increase renewable energy.
- Proposed articles for publication: Sandra will write about Plastic Free July for the July Bradford Bridge.
- Outreach to NH politicians. The BEC will continue to report on energy saving funding and opportunities for residents and our municipality.
- Conclude Meeting at 5:55 pm. We will meet again July 18, 5:00-6:00.