June
The Franconia Energy Commission addressed the Town Hall Solar Energy System, noting electrician Justin Poulton will manage pole removal and line burying. The disconnected utility pole meter ($21/month rental) will be returned to Eversource, requiring alternative streetlight replacement. For the Lafayette School Pavilion Lighting Project, Dan and Chris will meet Principal Amy Kopp. Energy audits will restart, with outreach to Fire Chief Tyler Gaudette and Police Chief Martin A Cashin regarding Safety building energy usage. The commission noted the plug-in solar law takes effect January 1, 2027, and will create a citizen user guide. Eric and Dave will handle Dow clock lighting. The potential sale of the Presby maintenance garage to Franconia is in process. The next meeting is July 21, 2026, at 4:30 PM at the Dow Pavilion. Source: https://www.franconianh.gov/uploads/1/1/6/8/11680191/energy_commission_minutes_6_23_2026.pdf
FRANCONIA ENERGY COMMISSION MINUTES June 23, 2026, 4:30 PM In attendance: Dan, Eric, Chris, Dave, Bob Franconia Town Hall Solar Energy System • Pole removal in front of the Welcome Center, including burying the lines, is being managed by electrician Justin Poulton. Reached out to Justin by email for a work schedule. He said he will send a schedule for this work. • Meter at the utility pole (72 358 500) is not connected to anything and is to be returned to Eversource (rental ~ $21/month). • Removal of the pole will also remove the attached streetlight. Replacement of the streetlight with alternative lighting should be incorporated into this project. Municipal solar expansion • IRA program ends Dec 31, 2026 • Franconia expansion at Town Garage/Transfer Station? Dow clock lighting: to be completed by Eric and Dave, TBD Lafayette School Pavilion Lighting Project • Dan and Chris to meet with Principal Amy Kopp Energy and System Efficiency Audits • Restart energy audits, as part of reviewing town energy usage. • Franconia Safety building: outreach to Fire (Chief Tyler Gaudette) and Police (Chief Martin A Cashin) about managing energy usage. Balcony Solar Systems (AKA Plug-in solar) • As of July 2026, Utah, Maine, Virginia, Colorado, Maryland, Connecticut, Vermont, and New Hampshire have signed a plug-in solar bill into law. • NH bill goes into effect January 1, 2027. o The DOE is developing a nationally recognized standard for the safety of plug-in solar. • Create a citizen user guide for this technology, for posting on town website. Ongoing Town Business • Sale of Presby maintenance garage on Easton Rd behind Town Garage to Franconia in process? Next meeting: July 21, 2026 @ 4:30 at the Dow Pavilion. Meeting Adjourned 5:45 pm Respectfully submitted, Chris Dubé