Arlington Energy Committee
Regular Public Meeting
Wednesday, November 4, 2026
Meeting called to order at 6:21pm after technical difficulties with recording.
Present: Stephanie Moffett-Hynds, chair; Mary Anne Holmes, secretary; Mardi Crane (online); Alexandra Ernst; Grace Katrick.
Not present: Joni Nash, Bill Laberge
Alternates: Garret Siegel present.
Guests: none
1. Additions or Deletions from the agenda: none.
2. Approval of Minutes from previous meeting of October 7, 2026
Motion to approve by Garret; Grace seconded; Motion passes unanimously.
3. Old Business.
a. WindowDressers 2026 Recap
Steph offered thanks for all the help from the committee over the summer and to those who were able to help out with the build itself (Grace, Grace’s mom; MAH; Mary Ann Carlson, former member Karen Lee) and many, many others who volunteered their time and made wonderful food to keep up the momentum. She also expressed gratitude to her fellow steadfast Northshire Build steering committee members: Coordinator Roger Hanson, Bryan Dalton, Jim Hand, Jeff Dexter, Jim Salsgiver and Carl Bucholt. This year, Beacon Bank signed up employees from their branches throughout southern Vermont who volunteered many hours helping to make this such a successful build. There were also people from Massachusetts who came to learn the ropes as they plan to host the firsts WD in their state next year. Many thanks also to the towns and businesses who donated funds to help WD provide inserts for free or at a reduced many households in the area.
The Northshire Build made 293 inserts (21 re-wraps and 272 new inserts).
Q: How to qualify for special rate? The measuring team essentially takes a read on the need when they are on site measuring the windows. WD’s goal is always that 1/3 of the inserts at every community build go to people in need. The steering committee is happy to welcome new members and the measuring team would like to train new volunteers.
b. Town Hall Weatherization Update
Update on MERP-funded work: they have finished blowing in all insulation in the attic; two windows at the top of the stairs and in the stairway have been replaced; new acoustical ceiling and efficient, warm lighting has been installed in the meeting room. The Town must buy the heat pumps per a contract with MERP, but the deadline to begin the work has been extended to the end of 2027. While the heat pumps have improved dramatically over the years for cold climates, long periods of really cold weather (-20℉) still require other sources of heat. It is advisable that the town hall’s furnace, such as it is, remain as backup.
Mardi: Town Hall furnace is losing efficiency with age. Suggests town buy space heaters for the offices and keep overall thermostats low. People are usually only in the building for four hours each day, only 4 days/week — in addition to meetings held upstairs. She proposes looking into how much $$ and energy the town could save using the space heaters (finding the make/model) vs keeping thermostat at different temps.
c. MERP mini-grant balance: Infrared Camera Checkout Proposal for SB
The committee approved the proposal with one change: take out Amazon link for purchases and provide direct links to the manufacturer. Steph will send the proposal to Cynthia who will put it in the SB packet for next Monday’s meeting (November 9). Steph, Grace, and hopefully Alex (who did he lion’s share of the research for the proposal) will present the proposal at the meeting.
Grace Q: Who would have the leasing agreement? A: Library would do that.
Q2:Is the AEC or the Library responsible when the detector is returned broken or not returned at all? A: There’s a contract that people have to sign that clarifies that they are responsible; the borrower must be a library card holder and would check out the camera just like they check out a book. If approved, Steph will meet with Library Director Kyrra April to create the document, using most of the language that towns like Charlotte, Burlington, and Sharon are already using.
Steph will give the spec and link for the purchase to Cynthia who will buy them before the year is out. Steph will also offer to help write the grant report, if that would be helpful to Cynthia.
The AEC would then arrange for presentations on how to use the cameras at various town venues: the Common, Library, etc. MAH suggests that we record the presentation to get the word out to the community; GNA T-V could record and broadcast it and have it on their website and we could put a link to it on both the library and town websites (as well as on social media).
d. Select Board attendance reports and schedule update
Nov. 9: Steph and Grace; maybe Alex
Nov 23: Steph and MAH
Dec 7: Alex?; Grace?
Dec 21: MAH; Steph? Grace?
e. Town Plan and the Energy Chapter
Garret: BCRC Planner Nick Zaiac reached out to Steph; he will attend the upcoming AEC Jan meeting for AEC input into the Energy Chapter of the Arlington Town Plan, currently under revision. A draft of the energy plan will be distributed to the AEC at least 2 weeks before that meeting. (Steph will make sure that Nick has the email addresses for everyone on the committee and ask that he send each a copy of the chapter draft. Garret will invite the Planning Commission to attend that meeting on January 6 at 6PM.
MAH: thanks to Grace for going through all the Energy Plans from adjacent towns and writing up a report about what she thinks are good recommendations and what she thinks is lacking. MAH will send links to BCRC website which has many of the updated town plans; Grace will re-send her report.
f. Thermal Energy Network update
MAH attended the last meeting with Debby New and Marcus Jones (Steph was only able to join the Zoom sporadically.) It is possible to install a TEN with a wastewater installation.
The next VT TENs meeting will be via Zoom, Wednesday, Nov.18 @8am (unless the group is able to reschedule to accommodate Grace’s work schedule.)
g. Carbon Tracking Tool update
None to report tonight. MAH would like to see comparisons of dates – how have we saved energy, $$ over time?
4. New Business – none
5. Other
MAH reports that the train line from Bennington to Rutland to Burlington are being upgraded, perhaps “laying groundwork for passenger service,” as per Bennington Banner.
Next meeting: December 2, 2026 at 6:00 PM
Motion to adjourn: Garret; 2nd Grace. Meeting adjourned at 8:15pm
Minutes prepared by Mary Anne Holmes