Energy Committee – April 17, 2025

Wendell Energy Committee Minutes

Monday, March 20th,2025 5:00pm

Remote via Zoom

Members Present: Laurie DiDonato, Donald Stone, Anna Gyorgy

Members Absent: Jim Thornley

Clerk: Ashley Penna

Meeting called to order at 5:05 pm by Anna Gyorgy.

Mail & Minutes

(DiDonato/Stone) Motion to approve the minutes of February 25th, 2025, as revised.

(3 in favor/0 opposed/1 absent) Motion carries.

New Business:

Review mail/Previous Rollover

• Anny Gorgy has not yet completed the paperwork for reimbursement for the purchases made for the refreshments and rental fee for the Groundhog Day event.

Report and follow-up on MIT study on siting issues (Laurie)

• Laurie DiDonato shares a summary of the MIT study report. A large portion of the report summarized the process and also included the events held and what they have learned from working with the town. Some of the key concerns listed were the tax base and what type of development would be supported by the town. The study also covered forest conservation and the health and safety transparency from developers in having a say as a town. The report included the importance of the town deciding what projects the community would support and under what conditions. There should be a consolidated voice if a situation arises for development. The report also stated to be prepared to be an intervener at any time. There is a new bill that will allow funding to be an intervener. The town should be prepared to know how to access the funds and look towards getting prequalified.
• Wendell is currently working with MIT again for this Spring 2025 semester. The key things the Selectboard has asked them to focus on is gaining more information, feedback and dialogue between the state and developer stakeholders. The town would also like to better understand the recent climate bill and to help Wendell prepare for when the next proposal for a large scale project may come. The bill automatically has towns become an intervener and are providing funding to assist with legal costs.

Website updates

• Ashley Penna has posted the 2024 Annual Report for the Energy Committee on the Wendell website.

Ashley’s update

• Ashley Penna will continue as Clerk for the Energy Committee through the March 2025 meeting.

Future plans for Energy Committee

• Members discuss the future of the Energy Committee and the advantage of having an Energy Committee as part of the town’s structure. Members are in agreement to not end the Committee, but to meet briefly each month to keep things open if a resident needs assistance with a project.
• (Stone/DiDonato) Motion to meet regularly as an Energy Committee operating without a Clerk until the level of business expands and to submit a proposed budget of $200 to the Finance Committee.
  • (3 in favor/0 opposed/1 absent) Motion carries.
• Members would still like to continue to have a budget if they would like to put on an event or to attend any conferences if needed. This budget will be reduced from $400 to $200 in comparison to FY25.
• Special thanks to Laurie DiDonato to serve as the past Chair of the Energy Committee and her many contributions. This will be DiDonato’s last meeting as a member of the Energy Committee. DiDonato will continue to be the point person for energy projects including Green Communities funding as a member of the Selectboard.

Other Business Not on Agenda: None

Next Meeting: Thursday, April 17th, 2025 5pm.

Adjournment: (DiDonato/Stone) Motion to adjourn the meeting at 5:43pm.

(3 in favor/0 opposed/1 absent.) Motion carries.

Submitted by Ashley Penna.