Yarmouth is moving closer to hiring its first dedicated energy manager, a role designed to capture state grants and track municipal utility savings without impacting the local tax rate. During the September 8 meeting of the Energy Committee, town staffer Amy Frigulietti announced that the town has begun interviewing candidates for a part-time position that will be fully funded by Eversource’s NEED program. The role will pay $45 per hour for up to 19 hours a week over a three-year term.

Frigulietti noted that the hiring committee, which includes Liz Argo and Town Administrator Bob Whritenour, views the position as a gateway to more significant financial opportunities for the town. Bob's going to send a copy of the contract, Frigulietti said, adding that hopefully the part-time will eventually turn into something full-time if other grants are sought out. The new manager will report to Senior Project Manager Nate Weten and will be tasked with tracking the town’s energy progress, a function the committee argued is currently missing from town planning.

The committee expressed frustration with the lack of measurable benchmarks in the current draft of the 2025 Local Comprehensive Plan (LCP). Chair Dan emphasized that without specific metrics, the town cannot effectively gauge its success in reducing energy costs or carbon footprints. I don't see how you can put together a plan without knowing how you're going to measure the progress and establish goals, Dan said, advocating for the use of SMART goals that are specific and time-based. Member Mike agreed, noting that you can't evaluate what you can't measure.

Dean, a remote participant in the meeting, suggested that the town’s primary focus should remain on the bottom line rather than symbolic gestures. If your objective is just to cover a certain percentage of municipal rooftops with panels, what's the point? Dean asked. Focusing on what programs save the town is the right way to measure it. Earlier in the session, the committee approved the previous meeting’s record. Motion Made by Dan to accept the minutes as presented. Motion Passed (3-0-0).

Utility costs and billing complexities dominated the later half of the meeting, with members planning a public education campaign to help residents—particularly seniors—navigate confusing Eversource statements. Mike, who has been holding office hours at the Senior Center, reported that residents are often blindsided by true-up payments at the end of the year. To address this, the committee plans to develop a PowerPoint presentation explaining the difference between distribution and generation charges, as well as the nuances of net metering. Dan pointed out that residents often hear a supply rate of 16 cents per kilowatt-hour without realizing that distribution costs almost doubles it.

In addition to educational outreach, the committee highlighted the availability of free electric vehicle (EV) charging for residents at three municipal locations: the Senior Center, the DPW, and the Bay Golf Course. While these are Level 2 chargers and require a long duration for a full charge, Frigulietti confirmed they are currently free to use. I'm not aware of any charge for it, she said, though she noted that a payment component could be added in the future. The committee suggested better advertising for these stations, as many residents may be unaware of the service.

Infrastructure updates were less certain, as Frigulietti reported that the rooftop solar project at the Senior Center has hit a snag. The system is not yet live because contractors began underground work without the proper sign-offs from the building department, necessitating some re-work. On the administrative front, the committee is petitioning the Select Board to change its membership structure from a strict seven-member requirement to a flexible range of five to seven members. This change would lower the quorum requirement, allowing the current three active members to consistently hold official sessions. Dan informed the committee that the ball is rolling on the request and expects a public deliberation by the Select Board soon.

The committee is also seeking to bridge the gap with the younger generation by recruiting a liaison from the high school. Mike reported that he is reaching out to science teachers to find a student or faculty member interested in energy initiatives. The committee plans to meet again on October 6, ahead of the Columbus Day holiday.