The Marion Energy Management Committee is at a critical stage in its effort to influence the energy-consumption designs of two major municipal construction projects facing Marion voters this year, as both a new Department of Public Works operations center and a new Maritime Center will be on the May 9 Town Meeting warrant.
Both matters were discussed during the committee’s public meeting on Monday afternoon.
According to EMC Chairman Christian Ingerslev, Town Administrator Jay McGrail has indicated that there are opportunities to reduce power in the proposed DPW headquarters at Benson Brook.
“If we could figure out a way to do some solar in town, maybe it would be enough to cover our (new) buildings, especially in the case of the Harbormaster,” said member Bill Saltonstall.
Ingerslev was quick to qualify such an effort: “As long as it doesn’t compromise the agreement we have with Future Generation Wind. … I couldn’t agree more. We need to keep monitoring the usage of power as their buildings come online.”
Having turned over every known rock inside the town lines in an effort to bring up Marion’s Green Communities profile, Saltonstall lamented that the only apparent place for more savings is new (electric) police vehicles.
“We’ve got to find ways to push us over the top, the 20 percent (that would qualify Marion for a new wave of grant funding for green-energy-related projects,)” he said, noting that all the town’s departments need to become cognizant of this ongoing effort.
Saltonstall and Ingerslev further discussed work slated for the Cushing Community Center and the Taber Library as potential opportunities to install heat pumps and go electric.
Member Jennifer Francis asked about some leasing of town property for the sake of more revenue-generating solar installations. Member Alanna Nelson discussed aggregation and said there may be incentives to buy a greener plan, noting multiple levels.
Member Tom Friedman told the committee that he is now working with Trinity Solar and seeking information. Francis said she will email My Generation Solar.
While the new Maritime Center is approaching its construction phase, the EMC has been aggressive in trying to influence the harbormaster’s new headquarters toward a net-zero energy design. Ingerslev told the members that there was a recent meeting and that he is waiting for a report back on how close to net-zero the designers can get and the associated cost.
Francis said it’s crucial that the town understand the two sides to the cost coin. “Not just cost … I hope it would take into account the savings. This is an investment, not an expense,” she said. “If we have a net-zero building in town, it’s going to save a lot of money. It’s going to cost a lot up front, but … the lifetime savings, not the lifetime cost.”
Member Eileen Marum noted that Representative William Straus recently said that most of the net-zero projects that lead the way in an energy revolution are going to come from the local level and not to expect that to start at the federal level.
While reporting to the EMC that he was still waiting for a reply from Green Communities on Marion’s initiatives, Saltonstall new blood is working on the Mass Energy Insight program.
“I expect to hang on to my membership on the committee for a while, but my days are probably numbered, and it’s time for someone to get involved,” he said. Friedman welcomed the idea and said he would like to become Saltonstall’s “understudy.”
Late in the meeting, Marum discussed the importance of a designated escape route, the necessity of roads in good repair and especially culverts. She said the culverts must be able to handle the levels of a 100-year storm event and that any new infrastructural designs should likewise project out to 2100.
Early in the meeting, Francis, an associate member, asked about becoming a full-voting member, citing that the EMC is down members. Ingerslev said the Select Board prefers an odd number of votes. Nonetheless, he offered to write the board a letter.
Nelson said the committee should seek more membership as the solution. Citing Marion’s Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan status update, she identified it as a “perfect opportunity to make sure we’ve got Jennifer operating as a full member.” Ingerslev said it is his own prerogative not to vote for that sake.
The next meeting of the Marion Energy Management Committee is scheduled for Monday, February 28, at 5:00 pm.
Marion Energy Management Committee
By Mick Colageo