Select Board discusses creating Energy Study Committee

May 17, 2022

The Select Board discussed the creation of a new Energy Study Committee on Tuesday night, though no vote was taken and discussion is scheduled to continue during next week’s meeting.

Two members of the Solar Bylaw Committee, Denise Wolk and Town Assessor Jacqui Nichols, spoke to what they see as the necessity for such a committee in a time of ever-changing technology and state regulations concerning renewable energy.

“We need to recognize advancements and changes in renewable technology,” Nichols said.

Wolk said she felt it important for the town to be proactive by having a standing committee to keep up with shifting laws and new tech.

Board member Alan Slavin said instituting a standing energy committee is a good idea.

“We have to have something in order to have the guidance,” he said.

Board members and the committee members discussed what the optimal number of people to be on the energy committee would be, and Slavin recommended having either three or five people in the group.

No vote was taken on the formation of the committee, and board Chair Judith Whiteside asked members to send her their ideas for the proposed makeup and mission of such a committee. Further discussion is slated to continue during next week’s meeting.