Wolfeboro Energy Committee

The Wolfeboro Energy Committee is a committee of the Wolfeboro Board of Selectmen. The Energy Committee volunteers work closely with Town of Wolfeboro employees including the Director of Public Works, Director of Municipal Electric Department, Town Manager, and the Director of Parks and Recreation. The Committee was officially established in August of 2007 after citizens successfully passed the citizens petition warrant article - NH Climate Change Resolution.

Contact

Josh Arnold (Vice Chair) - h.603.539.6460/ c.603.344.5009 : josh_arnold@riseup.net

Mission

The mission of the Wolfeboro Energy Committee is to identify opportunities for the town of Wolfeboro and its residents to save energy and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions; and to work to assure that cost-effective energy efficiency practices and GHG reduction strategies are implemented town-wide. The committee aims to assist the town in addressing these goals as approved by the voters in the Town Meeting warrant article in March of 2007. The committee will make recommendations to and cooperate and communicate with town officials, boards and commissions as well as public and private groups with similar concerns, and with the appropriate agencies of the state, regional, and federal governments.

Projects

The Wolfeboro Energy Committee has worked on strategies to reduce municipal energy use, as well as education and other activities to assist local residents and businesses in reducing their energy use. In 2008 with funding from the New England Grassroots Environmental Fund, an energy and greenhouse gas emissions inventory of municipal energy use was completed. (available on this site). As part of the inventory, numerous opportunities for energy reductions were identified. The results of this initial project will frame much of the ensuing work by the committee by giving us the data we need to make informed, strategic decisions to use our community’s limited dollars to get the biggest savings in dollars and GHG reductions.

The Committee has also held numerous educational events for businesses and residents to learn about climate change and energy reduction. The committee organized and hosted the hugely successful Lakes Region Energy Fair in November. More than 400 attendees toured local homes, learned about energy efficiency and renewables, and learned about products and services from the many exhibitors. (Josh, can we put the workshop brochure here?). A CD of the workshops will be available shortly for those wishing to use it in your educational efforts.

Volunteer and Committee Roles

Charles Armour Retired engineer with a passion for renewables. Chuck is putting his expertise in small hydro to work studying opportunities for our water treatment plant.

Josh Arnold, Vice Chair Majored in global sustainability from Wheaton College, Norton, MA. Youth delegation leader at several UN climate change and sustainable development conferences. Founding Director of local non-profit- Global Awareness Local Action Manager of Clean Vibes, an event recycling and environmental education. Recipient of the Youth Action Net Global Fellowship of 2009.

Susan Fuller, Clerk Wolfeboro resident for more than 20 years. Master's in Environmental Education from Plymouth State University. Teacher and school librarian. Previous experience in environmental endeavors include organizing a community wide EcoFair for the 20 anniversary of Earth Day and chaired the Wolfeboro Recycling Committee which successfully created recycling options at our town's solid waste facility.

Nancy Hirshberg, Chair As Vice President of Natural Resources for yogurt maker Stonyfield Farm, Nancy has been managing energy and climate programs for almost two decades. She is active in climate and energy issues on a local, state, national, and even global level. Nancy’s a firm believer in “think globally, act locally” and is eager to put her knowledge and expertise to work reducing emissions in her local community. She is a member of the Carbon Coalition board, a founder of Climate Counts, and a frequent lecturer on climate issues.

Barbara Laverick, Treasurer A retired teacher of 28 years. Taught the natural/geologic history of New Hampshire. Involved in annual Ferry Beach Ecology School. She wrote and then carried out a grant to conduct an environmental survey of the natural area surrounding her school. Planned and developed a "nature trail" in the woods and fields around our school building, as well as creating a teacher friendly "pick up" lesson plan for classroom use of the trail. Was advisor for a school wide vegetable garden. Has participated in the annual peregrine falcon census and in bird and wildflower surveys and has planned and participated in numerous Earth Days, beginning with the original Earth Day in 1970.

Bob Lemaire Bob has a diverse technical background, first in computer programming and business system design, later in operating system design and computer architecture, and then as an entrepreneur founding a software company. He has a good working knowledge of the science, physics, and economics of the present challenges associated with energy production and consumption. Recently he has been involved with the design and specifications for a super-insulated commercial building that is under construction in town. He has been paying particular attention to the unique challenges in our rural environment where some of the tradesmen are unfamiliar with and skeptical of the merits of non-traditional approaches to building insulation and heating.

Jim Nupp Jim is a retired commercial pilot after 24 years and "new" Wolfeboro resident. He served as the Chair of previous town energy committee and worked with Carbon Coalition to acknowledge climate change as an issue on town warrant article. Jim served on town conservation commission and was staff for the Rockingham County Conservation District as conservation easement specialist. Jim is currently a member of the Wolfeboro Pathways Committee-promoting bicycle and walking thruways in town.

Town Employees Involved with The Committee

David Ford, Director of Public Works Dave has been extremely welcoming of the involvement of the committee. He manages the operation of the major energy loads for the Town, so is a critical ally. The intern will report to Dave.

Ethan Hipple, Director Wolfeboro Parks and Recreation.

Barry Muccio, Director of Operations, Municipal Electric Department Barry has been key in understanding not only the municipality’s energy use, but the community at large. We are working closely with Barry at identifying opportunities for next year when we go out to bid on the town Electricity supplier. Potentials include efficiency and conservation programs, renewables portfolio requirements, etc.

David Owen, Town Manager Chief liaison for the committee with the Town.

Meetings

Media

Granite State News P O Box 250, Wolfeboro Falls, NH 03896, grunter@salmonpress.com; 603.569.3126

WASR Radio P. O. Box 900, Wolfeboro, NH 03894, 603.569.1420, mail@wasr.net

G.A.L.A. Community Blog P.O. Box 2267, Wolfeboro, N.H. 03894, 603.569.4760, josh@galacommunity.org

The Laker P.O. Box 119, Wolfeboro Falls, NH 03896, 603.569.5257, laker@wolrdpath.net

Union Leader Corporation P.O. Box 9555 Manchester, N.H. 03108-9555 (603) 668-4321 or (800) 562-8218 writeus@unionleader.com