Arlington Energy Committee
Regular Meeting
Minutes from February 4, 2026
Members Present, in person: Stephanie Moffett-Hynds, Joan Nash, Bill Laberge, Mary Anne Holmes.
Via Zoom: Mardi Crane-Godreau
Absent: Jenny Murtaugh
Also Present: N/A
The meeting was called to order at 6:30PM, by AEC Chair, Stephanie.
Additions to or Deletions from the Agenda: Delete New Business: “Revisions to Energy Section for the updated Town Plan”. This will be addressed in the fall.
Minutes of the previous meeting of January 7, 2026: Joan made a motion to approve the minutes. Bill seconded. Motion carried.
Old Business:
a. AEC structure: electing officers; expanding to a 2-hour format
Do we need a co-chair? Bill moved to modify the by-laws to include a co-chair to pinch hit when the chair or secretary cannot be present. MAH seconded. All ayes. ACTION: Stephanie will reach out to Select Board to gain approval or find out what steps are necessary.
Call for a volunteer to serve as secretary for one year. MAH is the only volunteer. All enthusiastically approved. Much appreciated.
Joni brought up how much business we have that doesn’t fit into a 90-minute meeting. Most other committees run for 2 hours. Joni made a motion to change meeting time to 2 hours, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. Discussion ensued. Motion approved.
b. Weatherization report regarding MERP funds for town hall and garage – Update from Cynthia
Steph has asked for an update in several emails to Cynthia, but has not yet had a response. She will continue to pursue. ACTION: Steph will send a follow-up email to Dan and/or all members of Select Board to improve communication about this and to inquire about the appointment of an energy coordinator for the Town. She will also attend a select board meeting, as the MERP-funded weatherization projects will be on the agenda. It is assumed
that this topic will come up at the Town Meeting on March 2. Discussion ensued on who from the energy committee will be present at Town Meeting to answer any questions regarding the need to weatherize and the carbon tracking tool.
To follow through on the AEC’s commitment to improve communication with the select board, it was decided that each member of AEC will take turns attending all Select Board meetings. ACTION: AEC members must check the town website to confirm the dates. They are almost always on Monday nights from 7:00 to 9:00 PM, every other week.
Steph: February 9 and 23
March: Bill tentatively takes March ; MAH backup
April: Mardi
May: MAH
June: Joni
c. Carbon Tracking Tool Template for Others to Use, status
Still waiting for word from Cynthia on “hold harmless” wording to use when sharing template with other towns. Cynthia will share the language Steph sent her with the SB for their edits and approval.
d. Red Mountain Parcel – Update
No information; tabled until further notice.
e. Town Annual Report – Update; Town Meeting preparation
Stephanie thanked Alex for doing the lion’s share of writing the AEC report this year, with Steph’s edits. Joni updated the figures for the portion that will illustrate the carbon tracking tool. Karen Krulikowski did a wonderful job reformatting the charts for the Town Report.
ACTION: Items to put on the table in the gym for the Town Meeting:
1. Questionnaire from Summer 2025 on what townspeople would like to see the town pursue vis a vis energy-related efficiencies. (Steph will send to Joni to add a line about how to return the questionnaires and Joni will print them.)
2. Efficiency Vermont’s “How to use a mini-split heat pump” for those who have them – very helpful and important, easy-to-understand guidelines (Steph will send to Joni to print)
3. Split & Shine’s contact cards (Joni has in her office)
4. WindowDressers rack cards (Steph will get fall dates and location at next WD steering committee meeting this month, will ask Jeff Dexter to print up labels, will affix to rack cards we already have.)
Put on table where everyone picks up brochures; Steph will make a collection box for the questionnaires.
Further recommendations for Outreach: Put all of these same handouts in the Town Hall, at Battenkill Valley Healthcare, the Food Cupboard, the library, and town churches. Also on bulletin boards: Beacon Bank, Stewarts, Arlington Deli, The Wayside, etc. Steph will do this, but is also looking for helpers.
Town Meeting Attendance: Who will attend in person? Joni will be there; MAH will be there. Steph will try to change prior commitment. So important for all to attend in person or online.
The AEC anticipates and should be on hand to answer any questions regarding the AEC annual report: What is the Carbon Tracking Tool? (Remind about 2022 ballot measures.) What is MERP? Why did the Town make a donation to Window Dressers?
We’re only responsible for Town energy in/out. Joni will look into biofuels as possible input.
f. AEC Orientation Packet and Additions to AEC website page ACTIONS:
MAH will address Mardi’s questions about the codes on pp, 4-5 of the Orientation Packet.
Add the Vermont Climate Council’s updated Climate Action Plan (CAP): https://climatechange.vermont.gov/take-action
ACTION: AEC members: please return comments, edits, etc., ASAP to MAH.
g. Prioritizing AEC future projects
Window Dressers: dates and place TBD soon at Northshire steering committee meeting
MERP weatherization project collaboration:
Answers from SB re: MERP funds. We would like to meet w/organization doing the weatherization work; we may be able to help the town prioritize. Bill offered, for example, that the AEC can double-check the prioritization provided by the company, can help with the RFPs and provide list of certified contractors, can help vet them, can be on hand to help with some of the projects. We would like to be at the table to provide input, in fulfillment of our energy committee service.
Website AEC page revamp
Community Outreach: see Town Meeting notes above. Mardi pointed out how important weatherization steps and clean heat pumps, etc., are just in terms of healthcare alone: cold homes and mold are health risks – something to talk to Battenkill Valley Healthcare perhaps.
BBA/AMHS Student Service Days: identify projects (WindowDressers, etc.)
.
New Business:
a. Arlington Area Alliance Volunteer Fair: Friday, March 27
ACTION: The AEC needs to identifying specific roles for volunteers: AEC website page – could work with Karen on re-design; pamphlet/handout design; Window Dressers; etc. Roger Hanson, Northshire Community Build coordinator, will table with us for the WindowDressers signups.
Mardi suggested that we create two student mentee positions with specific projects. Perhaps they could apprentice with organization doing MERP weatherization upgrades. In addition to recognition in our annual report and at Town Meeting, they would get a certificate of accomplishment at the end. Good for college or trade school applications, too. ACTION: Mardi will talk to Joanna Lederer-Barnes in the career counseling office at high school. Steph will provide contact.
Other:
a. February 7th: workshop 9-11, 802 Design Homes workshop, from Manchester Energy Committee Chair, Carl Bucholt
b. Area energy committee members invited to Montpelier by the VNRC to meet with energy efficiency industry, the Legislature’s Climate Caucus, and the House Committee on Environment and Energy, as well as the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Energy on February 18. Attending from the AEC: Steph, Bill, MAH.
Next meeting: March 4, 2026 at 6:00 pm. Please note new time!
Adjournment: Bill made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Mardi seconded. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 8:04PM.
Minutes respectfully submitted by Stephanie Moffett-Hynds and Mary Anne Holmes.