Warwick Buildings and Energy Committee
October 22, 2025 Meeting Minutes
Present: Janice Kurkoski (Chair), Jack Cadwell, Mary Humphries, Steve Kurkoski, and guest Tamsin Flanders, Energy Planner at FRCOG.
Meeting opened: 5:41p.m. MH late to meeting; JK started the minute-taking
I forgot to do this!
Discussion with FRCOG Guest TF
Tamsin noted that their REPA and MEMP grants will allow them help us with our GC annual reports and grant applications. They can also easily do the admin for these grants. They can also help create and move forward with our net-zero goals, as we will need to document in our Climate Leader application. She suggested connecting to the Mass Save program for ASHRAE level audits of town buildings, which could include blower door testing for adequate air sealing.
Tamsin reported on what the Energy Manager position involves and asked us what we need regarding the Climate Leader Communities goal. JK reported that solar on all Town buildings is in the pipeline, but community engagement is more of a challenge. JK views the WCS as key. Outreach education survey? Energy Fair? Science project? JC suggested piggybacking with other schools. Brainstorming a clean energy event. JC: winsert workshop in the spring. Idea of a House Doctor.
Tamsin reports that FRCOG can commit to asking questions of others like Allison and co-workers and will get back to us with any info she can find. FRCOG is looking at info from other towns and will connect us with either Ted or Audrey. (Tamsin left meeting approx. 6:15 p.m.)
JK Review of Projects
- Grant quarterly report filed by Tracy, but Jane has questions.
- JK asked John Bradford about hooking up the minisplits at the Library. Ivan could monitor online. She also asked John about the ones at WCS.
- John Gates was working on repairing the tempering valve today (half-day) at the School. He must come back to complete the job.
- Air handler issue at WCS causing alarms to go on and off repeatedly. JK replaced the drive belt. FMC installed the system but hasn’t yet returned her call. JC suggested JK stop taking care of these issues to avoid burnout and feeling overburdened. As it is, she’s juggling one deadline after another. Talk to DY to find someone to manage this monitoring. Scott Ryder, the custodian at WCS, is willing to learn. Diana Noble may be able to help JK with some tasks.
- Last project under this grant: infrared heater for the pump room. We were advised to check with the FD, but JL hadn’t responded as of today’s meeting. The issue is “UL certification” vs. “ETL certification” which SK explained. Todd Weed to install in November when he returns from NM. Discussion of Plan B if the infrared heater isn’t installed. (Rich Finn may be able to help?)
** Competitive Grant must be finished before we can move to Climate Leader Grant application**
The only remaining item we need is the Decarbonization Road Map. This can contain a lot of information. What are our triggering events? Have we seen Ashfield’s Road Map? JK will get that and forward to the committee. SK suggested an EV gathering which could be announced in the newsletter. Bring your cars and invite the public to ask questions and kick tires.
JK reached out to George Voight, the consultant who’s helping us with the DOER annual report for Green Communities.
The solar site visit with Rusty needs to be rescheduled. This visit was for the evaluation of Town buildings for PV.
FRCOG manages other small-town projects, so maybe they can manage Warwick when the time comes.
Unitarian Church Update: JC saw the report from the consultants who were hired to look at the building. Their recommendation is to stabilize it and make improvements to keep it as it is. This would include repair on the roof slates, window & door restoration, and structural post and beams. There would be no heat or handicapped access or bathrooms added. Investment of $1M in three stages. Keep water out. Weatherization would ruin the building. Mary will see about getting the report on the church from Andrea Woods who is on that committee.
Green Corner –
JK suggested the idea of interviewing Lois, the driver of the new blue school bus (EV). JC offered to create a list of interview questions for MH to write the article. MH will get Lois’ contact info from Jess at WCS.
Next meeting date and time: TBD
Meeting adjourned 7:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Janice Kurkoski & Mary Humphries