Meeting called to order at 6:32 PM
Members present: Janice Kurkoski (JK), Steve Kurkoski (SK), Jack Cadwell (JC), Dan Dibble (DD), Mary Humphries (MH)
The minutes from our 03-04-24 meeting were unanimously approved.
Fire Station Annex: Moving forward with air sealing and insulation. Discussion of previous emails with Brian Gale regarding status of the project. No insulation until there’s a rough inspection. Plumbing, electrical, and bracing need to be completed before insulation goes into the walls, per BG. JK is not familiar with the bracing he mentioned.
How to move forward? What are we allowed to accomplish? Dan suggested that we keep letting BG know of our availability to help. Janice would like to put together a team of volunteers to do the air sealing of the doors and windows plus putting R22 insulation into the walls. She suggested we ask for community support on this project and/or Michael, Howard M, and possibly the Fire Association. Janice asked the committee for a motion on this.
Dan made a motion that we bring to the Selectboard our recommendation of using Timber HP wood fiber R-22 bat insulation for $1341 for the walls of the Fire Station as quoted by Chris Marshall at Hamshaw’s.
Vote: passed unanimously.
JK agreed to speak to BG about this proposal, and Dan agreed to go with JK when the meeting is set up.
SK suggested we present a good rationale for this plan which will be less costly in terms of labor. Janice reminded us that part of the argument/rational is that if we volunteers are doing the insulation, we’ll only be willing to work with less toxic insulation. Discussion of the air sealing already done.
In the equipment bay, blown-in wood fiber insulation was used along with some cellulose to get to R60. The total cost of $7,700 will likely be reimbursed under the National Grid/Mass Save weatherization program.
Green Communities Grant Projects – Update: Mini-splits and Winserts at WCS.
Mini-splits for WCS still aren’t done. It’s very difficult for contractors to get into the building, based on the school’s new safety protocol. Tony is trying to get contractors scheduled for this summer to work on various projects. The work can only begin when the summer-school program is over in mid-July, giving everyone a very short window.
JK and Jim T are going to WCS tomorrow to install air zones on the new min-splits (internet interface).
JK says it’s not too early to start thinking about our next GC grant/projects! JC mentioned the geo-thermal heat projects that are being researched in Deerfield. JK brought up pellet boilers they saw in VT.
PVs on more Town Buildings: JK sent Rusty from Northeast Solar a reminder about PV for the fire station. We need to submit a Letter of Intent to get things moving. JK to check with DY on this. Run this project through a project expediter? JC brought up the subject of Warwick or any town becoming maxed out with PV in terms of system support. She also asked Rusty if it would be OK to ask his dad to consider coming to our Fire Department to talk about battery storage. Dan Ingold is the Guilford VT Emergency Operations Manager. JK will reach out to Joe Larson about this idea. Do we want a bigger venue? – perhaps including the Wendell FD which is also concerned about battery storage.
Green Corner Ideas:
- New school bus?
Mary will get in touch with Brad Compton on the new EV school bus for the July GC.
- Ask Justin Gale to write up a blurb on Phase 2 of the Stretch Code? (This could also go into the newsletter if with go with the WCS EV school bus for the GC.)
Meeting adjourned: 8:04 PM
Next meeting: TBD
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Humphries