Minutes
The Stratham Energy Commission accepted July minutes and received $420 in REC payments for Police Station solar. CPCNH representatives reported eliminating their negative balance and hiring financial and operations directors, noting PUC requirements complicate rate predictions. The Commission will update the Select Board in September regarding three options to control residential electricity costs, with a presentation available remotely. The Police Station solar generated 12 MWH at $35 per MWH. Joe VanGombos reviewed a new plug-in solar program. A heat pump presentation by Exeter Energy Committee is scheduled for October 28 at 12:30 PM at the Municipal Center. Roy Byrnes will analyze electricity usage at Stratham Memorial School for potential solar installation. Bids for the Stevens Park Pavilion came in $400K over approved budget, placing the project on hold. Matt O'Keefe's commission term is expiring, and Joe VanGombos will assume the chair position. Source: https://www.strathamnh.gov/Documents/Boards and Committees/Energy Commission/Agendas and Minutes/2026/minutes/Draft SEC Minutes Aug 11 2026.pdf?t=202609031205520
TOWN OF STRATHAM
INCORPORATED 1716
10 BUNKER HILL AVENUE STRATHAM NH 03885
VOICE (603) 772 4741 FAX (603) 775 0517
DRAFT MINUTES FOR STRATHAM ENERGY COMMISSION MEETING
Aug 11, 2026
Meeting held at the Stratham Municipal Center
Commission Members:
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Matthew O’Keefe
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Charlie Case
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Michael Welty
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Joe VanGombos
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Paul Deschaine – not present
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Tedd Tramaloni - Select Board Member
-
Luke Hanson - alternate
Stratham Resident - Roy Byrnes
Also Attending:
Henry Herndon – CPCNH Executive Director
Jackson Kaspari – CPCNH Director of Member Services
Call to Order: 6:00 PM
July Minutes were accepted
Community Power Updates
Henry Herndon and Jackson Kaspari updated us on CPCNH’s progress and the outlook for
future rates. CPCNH has made progress per their plan since last January – including
eliminating their overall negative balance, hiring a Director of Finance (Rachida Mahrouda)
and a Director of Power Operations (Bill Bullock). They explained that it is difficult to predict
when CPCNH will again have a lower rate than the Utilities default rates. The biggest factors
are the requirements the NH Public Utilities Commission (PUC) places on the Utilities for
default rates that are lower than the Utilities analysis shows, and to purchase power at 50%
fixed and 50% on the Spot Market, a requirement that potentially risky due to the winter
weather conditions. As a result, he PUC can effectively manipulate the power market. CPCNH
has opted to be more conservative by purchasing electricity at 80% to 100% fixed.
Henry and Jackson also reviewed the process for the Town of Hudson to withdraw from
CPCNH.
The Energy Commission plans to update the Select Board during September for an updated
analysis of the three possible actions (last presented in February 2026) that the Town could
take to control residential electricity costs for Stratham residents. The Town has been clear
TOWN OF STRATHAM
INCORPORATED 1716
10 BUNKER HILL AVENUE STRATHAM NH 03885
VOICE (603) 772 4741 FAX (603) 775 0517
that the reason it established Stratham Community Power and joined CPCNH was for
residents to benefit from electricity supply rates that were anticipated to be lower than the
Unitil default supply rate. This continues to be the Town’s top priority. The presentation to
the Select Board is planned to be available for residents to view remotely and will include
historical information on how Stratham Community Power became more expensive than the
Unitil default supply rate. Tedd and Roy emphasized that this presentation needs to be clear,
and concise.
Municipal Solar – Payment for RECs earned by the Police Station solar was received - 12 MWH
at $35 per MWH
Plug In Solar – Joe VanGombos reviewed this new program which allows a small stand alone
solar unit to plug directly to a house outlet.
Community Education Topics
-Presentation on Heat Pumps. Amy Farnham and Nickolas Metz from the Exeter Energy
Committee have agreed to present their material on “Heat Pumps” to Stratham Residents on
October 28 at 12:30 PM at the Municipal Center. Diane Smith from the Rec Department will
coordinate advertising it and arrange a light lunch. A Stratham flyer was created based on the
Exeter flyer and will be distributed.
-Window Dressers - Stephanie Marshall from the Exeter Energy Committee will update us on
Window Dressers at our September meeting.
Stratham Memorial School construction – Roy Byrnes looked at the benefits of the Solar Array
on the Police Station and shared his analysis. Roy will also look at the electricity usage at SMS
and see if the Energy Commission should recommend that a solar installation should be
considered by the SMS School Board.
Capital Improvements – Bids were received for the proposed Pavillion at Stevens Park for
$400K more than approved at Town Meeting. The project is on hold.
Commission Membership Updates – Matt will end his Commission membership when his term
expires. Joe VanGombos has agreed to take on the chair position.
Adjourned 7:35 PM
Submitted by Charlie Case