Marblehead Municipal Light – May 29, 2024
LWVM Observer: Maggie Smist
In attendance:
Light Commissioners: Michael Hull, Jean Jacques Yarmoff, Simon Frechette, Adam Smith, and Lisa Wolf (chair)
Light Department: Joe Kowalik (General Manager), Colin Coleman
Guest: Zoe Eckhart
Call to Order – Land Acknowledgement read
Note: Observer came on a few minutes late and missed the first public comment.
Public Comment:
Longview Drive resident representing Town Trees and Green Energy group has asked for tree planting at high school in October. Kowalik stated we should wait for a design of the area and a potential grant. Wolf explained to public visitor that the commission would review N-Rail study before decisions are made.
Outstanding items and requests from previous meetings:
Residential battery policy: Residential batteries can now be permitted thru MMLD and the form has been placed on the website. Per Kowalik, a meeting between the MMLD and the Building Department has to occur since both need to approve permits. Discussion followed of the process with all the departments represented. There will be one permit signed off by all parties that need to be involved.
Employee survey: Paul Coat is tracking down where the survey is at this time. It has to be sent to Kowalik before it can be sent out for completion by participants.
Time of use: There was a follow up to see if a working group has been set up to date. There are two volunteers and Yarmoff said he would continue to work on organizing the group.
Mass Municipal Wholesale Electric Co. presentation – Virtual Power Plant proposal:
Wolf reported that the system is under stress and the strategy is to have individual homes have more batteries.
Zoe Eckland reported on this proposal. Goal is to get “peak” load to 0 KWH. A Virtual Power Plant is an aggregate of EVs and solar batteries to balance energy at peak times. She discussed the Connected Homes program.
Some ideas for VPP (Virtual Power Plant):
Duracell (Residential) Power Center – she discussed various types of batteries and various programs and potential pilots with a cost benefit analysis. She asked for feedback and stated she would put together a plan for pilots based on decisions made by the commission and the MMLD.
General Manager Updates:
Village 13 update: The transformer delivery has been delayed until the end of June. Parking and road closures have been approved by the Select Board. The contract issues with Virginia Transformer are being worked out.
Tioga Way update: Bayside Engineering has completed the site survey and 1-foot elevations have been identified along with potential areas for development. Bill from Bayside reported on the survey which included highly developable wetlands area. There is a lot of variability in the terrain.
80 Commercial St.: Fences, trenches, footings and railings all have a planned installation date. Work must be done by June 30 to get reimbursed by the state.
New employee recruiting update: Engineering Project Manager candidates are being vetted and will be interviewed next week. Smith will work with Kowalik on the interviews.
Other business – Step Wise: Hull met with this company, Step Wise, who can provide a residential shed loading device. Manager wants to come and do a presentation to the commission. It is a WiFi adaptable product. The commission was enthusiastic about them attending a future meeting.
Meeting adjourned at 5:55 p.m.