Arlington Energy Committee
Minutes for Wednesday, June 3, 2026
Members Present, in person: Stephanie Moffett-Hynds, Joan Nash, vice-chair, Mary Anne Holmes.
Via Zoom: Mary Ann Carlson
Absent: Bill Laberge; Alexandra Ernst, Garret
Also Present: Grace Katrick, Marcus Jones
The meeting was called to order at 6:03 PM, by AEC Chair, Stephanie.
Additions to or Deletions from the Agenda:
Marcus Jones is present to discuss Thermal Energy Networks (TENs) for Arlington.
Select Board meetings report and scheduling.
Mardi: Grace sent a letter to Steph applying for a position on the AEC.
Minutes of the previous meeting of May 6, 2026: Joni moved to approve the minutes. Mardi seconded. Motion carried.
New Business
- Marcus Jones, Arlington resident, to discuss: TEN, Thermal Energy Networks.
Marcus and Steph attended a presentation to the Manchester Energy Committee by Debbie New and Jared Rodriguez. Marcus lives in E Arlington & is an electrician; worked with Efficiency VT, and Mac Molding.
Following the MEC presentation, Marcus and Steph discussed a potential corridor in Arlington that might be appropriate for a thermal energy network, including, but not limited to, the schools, businesses and homes along E Arlington Rd. MAC molding has a cooling tower for their heated water; this and other end-of-life heating systems for daycare and 2 schools are ready for replacement.
Marcus will find out what a feasibility study will cost; who might provide a grant for it.
Joni moved to ask Marcus to investigate cost of Thermal Analysis and to research possible grants for analysis and possible submission to Select Board; Mardi 2nd; all approve. Motion carries.
Mardi: Could we bury power/cable lines as wastewater/TEN is installed? Could be cost-effective for GMP.
Re: town plan, resiliency.
- Advice to Select Board re LEDs that are warmer for Town Hall
Select Board has asked the AEC to provide information on lighting in town hall meeting room. All fixtures were replaced by Brian Dalton, 2020-21.
Steph found a bulb at Home Depot that can be dialed to warm-ness; HD employees didn’t know that was a thing. Mardi will ask Randy Novatny if he can provide information on how to improve the lighting without increasing energy costs.
Old Business:
- Farmers Market tabling dates / Update on WindowDressers
- Update on Bylaws change sent to Select Board (Laberge status)
- Updates on AEC mentorships with AMHS
- Legislative Update
- Farmer’s Market Table/Update on WindowsDressers
Farmer’s Market Starts this Friday, June 5; goes to Sept 4. Roger Hanson will help; he does WindowDressers; 4-7pm. We will provide info on WD and other topics. Mardi to provide sprouts; There are two different websites for WindowDressers:
1) Community Build SignUp web page is now live. This is much earlier than previously. There is already a flyer with a QR code that goes straight to our page: https://signup.com/go/mXGPVai. This is great for volunteer outreach.
2) People should go directly to WD website to sign up for inserts: https://windowdressers.org. The build will be Oct 23-28 at First Congregational Church in Manchester Village. Load-in will be October 22.
- ByLaws
Bylaw wording has changed somewhat; Steph sent everyone a new copy. Please read and keep the updated copy.
- Update on AEC Mentorship w/AMHS
No update; Mardi will work w/Grace; Steph will ask Bruce how Bennington added 2 students members to their EC. It may be time for a collective meeting of ECs in Bennington County.
- Legislative Update on Energy matters
On September 17, 2025, Governor Scott has signed Executive Order 06-25, “Promoting Housing Construction and Rehabilitation,” to promote housing construction and rehabilitation in Vermont. Current status: regarding loosening of wetland protections.
The legislature passed a strong tri-partisan data center bill (H.727) that included the strongest possible protections for ratepayers, the environment, and the climate, to collect data on energy use: vetoed by Scott. His appointee is chair of the Climate Committee Council. Governor Scott vetoed this bill. Then the veto override failed by 7 votes..
2026 VNRC Legislative Wrap Up Webinar June 10:
VNRC, VCV and partners of the Environmental Common Agenda will present a webinar, Wednesday, June 10th at 12pm on Zoom, a post legislative session debrief on how the environmental community’s policy priorities for 2026 fared.
This webinar will provide a legislative wrap up on the Vermont Environmental Community’s policy priorities for 2026. Hear from experts on priority bills related to healthy democracy policy, smart growth housing and conservation solutions, better transportation options, toxic-free communities, and affordable clean energy.
Register here to join us on Wednesday, June 10th at noon – and please spread the word!
Other:
- Select Board Meeting Attendance
June 15, Steph; June 29, Joni: July 13; Aug 10;
B. Grace: applied to join committee. Letter to AEC and SB; next SB June 15.
Motion to adjourn: Mardi moves; Joni 2nd. Meeting adjourned: 8:19pm.
Next meeting: July 1, 2026 at 6:00 PM
Minutes prepared by Secretary Mary Anne Holmes