Page 199 - Microsoft Word - Annual Report 2016

SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE

The Sustainability Committee was formed in February, 2013, with a charter to help the town to
reduce its energy costs and usage. We have undertaken a number of initiatives with the DPW in
regards to energy efficiency within town buildings, but the main focus of the committee has
been the development of a 1 MW Solar Array on the town's closed landfill. In May of 2104, at
town meeting, the project was approved by a unanimous vote and we had our mandate to move
forward. During March of 2015, we got the signed PPA and Lease agreement done with Borrego
Solar, and PILOT agreed. We also received our interconnection agreement from National Grid.
In May 2015 we received approval from DEP to move forward with an official closure permit
and post closure usage permit for the landfill. We also received our special permit from the ZBA
to move forward. As described in last year’s report we hit a bump in the road when the State
reached its Cap on Net Metering credits effectively stopping the project. Thankfully that issue
was resolved in March 0f 2016 and we were back on track. After working through a number of
last contract details including the Financing and the PILOT, we started construction in November
of 2016. Construction was completed in January of 2107 and we expect to go live sometime in
the spring of 2017.

Gregory Netland, Chair
Members: Marc Aronson, Keith Sampson, Joe Hill, Gary Martin