Springfield to establish energy committee

There’s too much work to do for just two people. That is the message from Springfield’s co-energy coordinators, Mary Ann Remolador and John Pugh, who have been managing the volunteer position for the past couple of years.
http://rutlandherald.com/article/20140327/NEWS02/703279891

Published March 27, 2014 in the Rutland Herald Springfield to establish energy committee By SUSAN SMALLHEER Staff Writer SPRINGFIELD — There’s too much work to do for just two people. That is the message from Springfield’s co-energy coordinators, Mary Ann Remolador and John Pugh, who have been managing the volunteer position for the past couple of years. The pair asked the Springfield Select Board on Monday night to appoint a committee to work with them on various energy projects around town. Remolador said she and Pugh wanted to work on energy efficiency issues for Springfield with a full committee’s help. In the past, Remolador and Pugh spearheaded the change of the town’s streetlights to more energy-efficient lights, with little or no expense to the town. Remolador is the assistant director of the Northeast Recycling Council, based in Brattleboro, while Pugh is a carpenter. The two energy advocates had been co-coordinators for the past five years. The committee would report directly to the Select Board, and make quarterly reports. “Up until now, it’s been loosey-goosey,” she said. She said a committee format and membership would be “more effective with more people working on the issues.” The Select Board unanimously supported the idea, and set membership at a minimum of five members. Appointment would be made by the Select Board. Remolador and Pugh said they were hoping for six to eight members, to tackle more projects. “I think it should be open,” she said. Remolador and Pugh will come back with a committee mission statement, and a list of potential volunteers, and the board will set some goals for the group, and make appointments. Town Manager Robert Forguites said if the committee wanted to be “sanctioned” by the town, the Select Board should make the appointments. Forguites said for years, the town had been served by a single energy coordinator, Warren Garfield. Pugh said by not having a town-appointed or sanctioned committee, the town was missing out on grant opportunities. Efficiency Vermont had specifically asked for grant applications from energy committees in a recent program, he said. Springfield had to pass, he said. “It’s a win, win situation,” said Select Board member Peter MacGillivray, noting that future energy issues might include solar development in town. Selectman George McNaughton urged that the committee be kept relatively small, with an odd number of board members, to facilitate decision making and avoid potential deadlocks. But Pugh countered that the small town of Thetford has eight members on its energy committee. “Come back with seven,” McNaughton suggested. “If we can get seven,” Pugh replied. Selectman David Yesman volunteered to act as a member of the energy committee and the committee’s liaison to the Select Board.