Minutes

Town of Wellfleet Minutes

Energy Committee December 5, 2017 1

Wellfleet Energy Committee

Minutes of the Meeting of December 5, 2017

Council on Aging

7:00 p.m.

Present: Chuck Cole, Lilli-Ann Green, ChristiAne Mason and David Mead-Fox

Guests: Brian Carlson, Assistant Town Administrator

Vice Chair Cole called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m.

A request to tape record the meeting by Lilli-Ann Green was made and the request was granted

by the Wellfleet Energy Committee (WEC) Vice Chair, Cole.

BUSINESS

Minutes of the October 11, 2017 meeting1:

Motion: Green moved to accept minutes as emailed with agenda of meeting. Seconded by Mead-

Fox. The motion carried 4-0

Minutes of the November 29, 2017 meeting2:

Motion: Cole moved to accept minutes as emailed with agenda of meeting with minor edits to

date in footer. Seconded by Mead-Fox. The motion carried 4-0

Other Minutes for WEC: Mason will reconstruct minutes for WEC meeting on 11/20/17 and

Mead-Fox will reconstruct minutes for WEC meeting on 5/26/17. Secretary Green was not in

attendance at these meetings.

Discuss Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) for Solar Panels on the Capped Landfill:

Carlson was updated regarding the previous WEC meeting with BlueSel. BlueSel developed a

preliminary proposal to construct solar panels at the capped landfill that would not be owned by

the town but by a third party who would finance, own and insure the panels. Under this or a similar

agreement, the town would enter into a PPA and whatever percentage of the town’s power that

was generated would be discounted for 20 years. This proposal included a rental fee to the town

for the placement of solar panels at the location. It was agreed that moving forward to secure a

PPA for solar panels on the capped landfill would be the most advantageous avenue for the town

regarding moving to net zero for the town’s energy usage WEC members had been presented

with. The PPA cash flow presented showed electricity cost savings of $813,318 over 20 years and

lease payments of $363,314 over 20 years, or a total of $1,176,632 over 20 years. WEC members

shared with Carlson the packet of information3 BlueSel had provided. Carlson confirmed that the

Board of Selectmen (BoS) should be presented with the information. If approved by the BoS, the

next step is to initiate a new pre-qualification agreement with the utility for the location. This is the

first step to see if it is still feasible to develop this location for solar PV panels. Then reserving that

power if available. Carlson would like to complete this process. Green will contact BlueSel to

convey the information that the town will proceed with the step. Carlson also stated that a

competitive bid process would need to be initiated. Mead-Fox provided handouts4 and talked

about Power Options an organization that helps municipalities to purchase power. He was asked

to conduct additional research about the organization and provide WEC with materials at the next