Arlington Energy Committee
Regular Meeting
Minutes from December 3, 2025
Members Present: Mardi Crane-Godreau, Mary Anne Holmes, Joan Nash, Bill Laberge, Stephanie Moffett-Hynds, Alexandra Ernst, Jenny Murtaugh, and alternate Mary Ann Carlson
Absent: Joan Nash
Also Present: Karen Lee and Fly (via Zoom)
The meeting was called to order at 6: 30PM, by AEC Chair, Stephanie.
Additions to or Deletions from the Agenda: None
Minutes of the previous meeting of November 5, 2025: Bill L. made a motion approve the minutes. Mary Anne H. seconded. Motion carried.
Old Business:
- Electric School Bus Tour Rescheduling: Still TBD
- Red Mountain Parcel Update: Alex reported that she communicated directly with Peter Hildick-Smith about Red Mountain. He told her that although he had spoken to Karen about progress being made on the Red Mountain access issues, they are still months away from a formal agreement. There are some landowners with whom they need to have a conversation. Peter also said that, at the moment, Tory Lane is not the access route. He was pleased to inform Alex that The Conservation Fund “will provide some leeway on the sale deadline” as long as there is progress being made with the access issues. He also said that once they have worked out the access issue, he will let Alex know right away and, of course, she will communicate whatever information she receives from him immediately with the AEC. Mary Ann Carlson shared that she has also talked with him and he is very hopeful.
- Heat Pump Cleaning Presentation Update: Jenny will reach out to a Split and Shine heat pump cleaners to arrange for them to give a presentation at our January meeting. It was noted that the AEC should make sure the town knows that the heat pumps they install will also need to be cleaned and to plan for that expense. Others noted the importance of using a certified heat pump cleaner.
- Town Annual Report: Decision re Including a special section on the Tracking Tool: The AEC section for the town report is due by the end of January. Steph offered to write it this year. The committee identified the following elements to be included: Window Dressers, Hazard Mitigation (MAH and Alex will provide info.), presentations by AEC members to other groups (VECAN, GWU), Ongoing discussions about creative methods to mitigate C emissions as we seek solutions to achieve voter-mandated goal to reach carbon neutrality, Community Outreach through Farmers Markets, and include a section on the Carbon Tracking Tool with an explanation of the graph which explains why we need to find other ways to offset/mitigate the footprint from our diesel trucks. We should also note the interest expressed by other towns to use our template and the ongoing excellent work of Karen and Joni to update the data and improve the tool. Steph will share her draft with the committee for edits.
- AEC Orientation Packet: Mary Anne Holmes is going to share the packet with everyone via DropBox and all are asked to review it and make comments. Deadline for getting feedback to MAH is next Wednesday, Dec. 10.
It was noted that, once finished, we should provide all the information to Karen Krulikowski and Matt Bykowski to update our website page.
- Prioritizing Future AEC Projects: This is an ongoing discussion. One of the projects is clarifying and strengthening our role as energy advisors to the Select Board. See below.
New Business:
- Weatherization Report regarding Town Hall and Town Garage: Steph sent an email from the AEC to the SB asking that the AEC be given the Centerline report right away in order to evaluate it and give the SB the kind of guidance that the AEC exists to provide. This is especially important as the AEC has been very involved with weatherization efforts since 2019. Steph also attached the results of the earlier blower door tests from Weatherization Works, in addition to the guidance we gave the SB at that time in 2020. Her latest request pointed out the pitfalls that we want to make sure the town doesn’t fall into.
Cynthia responded promptly by sending the report which the AEC met to discuss this evening.
Bill gave an overview: From what he could tell, it looks like Centerline took all of the earlier Weatherization Works reports and summarized them in 8 pages. They then gave their own recommendations on work that should be done (ie. the need to insulate the attic, and basement -– although some of that work has been done), as well as what they would not recommend. Essentially, there are some old windows that need to be replaced first, then do a blower door test; then insulate the attic and some other areas; then add mini-splits. They do not recommend a duct system with the heat pumps, nor do they think additional insulation in the walls is necessary, but clearly a blower door test will help inform that decision.
Concerning the town garage, Bill pointed out that the Centerline report notes that the code requirements are not being met. Mardi wondered how one can heat it efficiently when the doors must be opened all the way for the trucks. Alex noted that they are recommending a different heating system, that a new insulted door be installed, and that they recognize there is more to look at before some of the recommendations be implemented. She wondered if a room could be set aside for humans that could be more insulated and properly heated so that the garage portion did not require so much heat.
The AEC wants to know what was accomplished since the last blower door test. We want to understand which windows have been replaced already and which ones still need to be replaced. We all agree it is imperative to seal the envelope before installing the heat pumps. We also want to know where the Window Dresser inserts are that were made for the windows in the meeting room.
The upshot of the discussion tonight is that the AEC feels strongly that the whole conversation needs improvement. We feel as though we are an afterthought and under-utilized by the SB. We would like to ask that they include us on any energy-related issues before they hire others and make decisions. If we are to save the town money and fulfill our role as their resource, they need to use us. How can we create a better working relationship? How can we work together going forward to accomplish what is best for Arlington?
Mary Ann Carlson suggested that the town also call upon the expertise and experience of fellow townspeople who have had to address similar circumstances regarding weatherization. She said that Amie Emmons might be very helpful in all of this, for example as she has had to figure out how to successfully heat an enormous event barn at The West Mountain Inn and could share what she has learned.
The committee was unanimous that we write a letter to the SB and town administrator outlining our concerns and request.
The question was also raised: who is the town Energy Coordinator now? Is this a paid position?
One possibility is to include all of these concerns in our quarterly report to the SB, which will also include the items we will feature in our town report. Steph will write a draft to share with the committee.
- Carbon Tracking Tool: Steph reported that she sent Cynthia an email to confirm that the AEC has permission to share the tool template with those who have expressed interest and to find out what “hold harmless” language the SB would like us to use. It will be good to have a couple of towns try it out and send us feedback.
Next meeting: January 7, 2026
Bill made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Mary Anne H. seconded. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 8:15PM.
Minutes respectfully submitted by Stephanie Moffett-Hynds and Mary Anne Holmes.