Meeting Minutes

Newbury Energy Meeting          DATE  8/16/21        (Zoom)          MINUTES By:  Sue

Attendees (Bold indicates present)                   Quorum        Yes

1. Call to Order, check in, agenda review.

1. Approval of last minutes. Approved

1. Guest: Peter Disch, Gen. Manager Mt. Sunapee – Fall Festival, etc.

            Introductions, Peter has been at Mt Sunapee Resort for just over a year and with Vail Resorts (which owns 37 ski resorts) for 11 years.  Discussion of Vail’s EpicPromise Commitment to Zero by 2030.  In 2017 Vail announced the sustainability goal to achieve a zero net operating footprint by 2030. This goal includes zero net emissions, zero waste to landfill, and zero net operating impact on forests and habitat.  Mt Sunapee is executing an energy audit to be able to prioritize energy-related improvements.  Discussion of partnering together on the Newbury Energy booth at the Mt Sunapee Fall Festival and Duck Drop on Saturday October 9th.  We will co-host a booth emphasizing energy themes including what Mt Sunapee Resort is doing related to food waste management and other energy advances.  Preliminary discussion of options for potentially partnering with the town of Newbury on food waste management; engaging students from New England College who are interested in food waste management and other areas; and including energy goals and measures in the annual report Vail submits to the state of New Hampshire.   Sue, Andrew and Tracy will schedule a follow-up call with Peter.

1. Reports:

Mary – Newbury Selectboard presentation on 8/16 (see deck distributed on 8/5) to review scope and timeline for solar project proposal.  Mary is also prepared to  discuss PPA vs. Warrant options.

Tracy — NE College update Tracy will put NE College faculty member, Elizabeth Harper, in touch with Peter Disch directly for discussion of ongoing engagement related to Mt Sunapee initiatives.  Need Newbury Energy committee members to attend a NE College class and introduce our committee and discuss projects.

Deb – Vital Communities report

1. Old / Unfinished Business/ Review action status.

Budget for next year -- topic for our next meeting.

Town communication?  ie. Residential Solar ambassador -- topic for our next meeting.      

Selectboard meeting attendance by Newbury Energy members; an opportunity to keep the town aware of our initiatives.

Leadership -- topic for our next meeting.

1. New Business

1. News/Intelligence/Info – All

No EV  Demo Day in New London this year

1. Meeting Review – All

Went well: 

Could be better:

There was a brief discussion on the need to “organize” our meeting better, and to that end, several suggestions were made:

--An effort should be made to keep meetings to an hour.

--If agenda item is submitted, and background information is necessary, that should be submitted beforehand so all are ready to discuss.

--Emails should be labeled “information” or “ actionable”.

--We should resume the practice of having a “To Do” list after each meeting.  To that end, Lisa’s  to do list is:

          Get information about “Mow Electric” to be considered for Fall Festival. I will submit this prior to next meeting.

          Put an add the Shopper re: community volunteers for programming and residential solar ambassador.  ( Cost can be part of budget discussion)

1. Summarize new actions, Next Meeting and Close

Actions – Outstanding and New