Light board discusses battery storage, demand

Board: Municipal Light

Commission

DATE: May 4

LWVM OBSERVER: Maggie Smist MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE:

Jean Jacques Yarmoff, Michael Hull (chair), Simon Frechette, Adam Smith, Lisa Wolf; Joe Kowalik, general manager; Greg Chane, MMLD distribution manager

Meeting called to order at 4:04 p.m. Minutes

Approve minutes of March 28 and April 10 open discussion and executive session. Motion approved and passed after edit made to the April 10 open session. Public comment

There was no public comment. Battery storage policy update Wolf asked to table this conversation and discuss with solar rates and battery incentives. This topic will be tabled until the next meeting.

Kowalik said he is reaching out to other municipals about battery storage. Kowalik said he met with the wire inspectors in town. Purpose was to discuss the MMLD using the system they use that searches permits to determine who takes out solar, battery, generator or EV permits. It will be a public record.

MMLD is looking for automatic pushes to their system. Yarmoff said we should be pushing people for the incentives. Smith said we should look at the order of the steps to get a battery, generator or electric vehicle permits. The best practice is to develop a policy with clear steps. He also thinks a onepage document for customers should be provided in addition to a policy. Smith offered to work on this procedure and the document. Wolf said it makes sense for MMLD to look at permits FIRST before customers begin the process of obtaining solar, battery, generators or EV permits.

Demand charge discussion

Yarmoff reported MMWEC discussed the future of the grid out to 2050 at their conference on May 3. A regional monthly graph was discussed covering supply and demand.

Supply — replace emitting capacity with non-emitting capacity and expand technologies.

Coa

luncheon and Texas Tenors concert at the Danversport Yacht Club on Tuesday, June 23; and a Montreal-Quebec trip July 18-21. For more information and to sign up, call Janice at 781-631-6225.

Coffee with a Cop

Join Chief Dennis King or someone else from the Marblehead Police Department to discuss community concerns. Fridays at 8:30 a.m.

Blood Pressure Clinic

Drop-in blood pressure clinic on Thursdays from 11 a.m. to noon.

Fitness Center is open Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Passes can be purchased for $10 for five visits.

Tai Chi/Qigong

Tai Chi/Qigong is an excellent form of exercise for low-impact strengthening, stress relief, balance and flexibility. Qigong is an ancient Chinese system that combines breathing, movement and meditation to cultivate health and wellbeing. Thursdays at 1 p.m. $5.

Chair Volleyball

Chair Volleyball is now at

Demand — implement demand flexibility and electrify energy consumption. Discussed demand especially during winter months. They are projecting an increase in demand of 236%. There was a graph on capacity planning and the current gap.

A slide presented with a NuScale nuclear power plant design was discussed and reviewed. It is a carbon-free power product. The safety conditions were covered, and they discussed the possibility of producing renewable energy with this product. A timeline and price of a small nuclear reactor was presented. The price of the plant is going up due to supply chain costs.

Yarmoff discussed battery types and how it is becoming harder to manage peak times.

He discussed that the world is not stable — our problems in Marblehead are not unique, but we know what our problems are in Marblehead. We have a lower number of layers of decision makers and can be more proactive. Our scale is also a smaller capacity than others. Marblehead will need to get the Legislature to assist us with money to help us implement programs. He suggested working with other municipalities.

General manager updates

» Michael Hull has approached Rockett Realty to sell 75 feet of property for the Village 13 project. He is meeting with Rockett Realty again tomorrow. There was discussion on spaces and needs of the MMLD. MMLD also met with Public Works regarding the same space.

Greg Chane has been appointed the new MMLD distribution manager.

(The distribution manager organizes materials and manages the field employees).

Chane was in attendance and gave his background and experience. He mentioned the need to do general maintenance on the systems.

Chane also discussed his staffing. There was further discussion on his next steps in his new role.

» Brown School solar project EV update. Kowalik has received solar quotes and has turned it over to MMWEC for analysis. After hearing back, they will get together to the COA on Wednesdays and Fridays, 1 p.m. to 2:45 p.m.

Muscle Conditioning

Senior Muscle Conditioning with Kim is on Mondays and Fridays at 9 a.m and Wednesdays at 10 a.m. Cost is $3.

Stay Active

North Shore Physical Therapy runs an osteo class on Mondays and Thursdays at 10 a.m. There’s also Balance and Mobility with Mary Manning on Mondays and Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. Each class is $3.

Zumba Gold

Zumba Gold classes are held on Wednesdays at noon. It is a lower-intensity dance class inspired by Latin and world music.

Parkinson’s Fitness

The Parkinson’s Fitness class is free on Wednesdays at 11 a.m. Specifically developed for folks with Parkinson’s disease but appropriate for all, this class focuses on strength, mobility and balance. The program is paid for by the Friends of the Council on Aging.

Indoor Curling make a call on the project. A joint meeting with the School Committee will be arranged.

Indoor curling takes place on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1 p.m. to 2:45 p.m.

Next meeting nnn

Next meeting is on Monday, May 30. Motion to adjourn the meeting at 5:15 p.m.

Board: Water & Sewer Commission

DATE: May 1

LWVM OBSERVER: Steven Levy

STAFF PRESENT: Amy McHugh, superintendent, and Dianne Rodgers, office manager COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: F. Carlton Siegel, chair; Gregory Bates, Thomas Carroll, Thomas L. Murray, Barton Hyte nnn

The meeting was called to order at 6:33 p.m.

The meeting was held before the Town Meeting at the Veterans Middle School. Revised Articles 15, 16 and 17 as reported on the May 1 Finance Committee Report were approved.

Next Water & Sewer Commission meeting will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 6.

A public hearing for the rate study was set for Monday, June 26 at 8 p.m.

The meeting was adjourned at 6:36 p.m.

BOARD: Fair Housing Committee

DATE: May 8 (hybrid, not recorded)

LWVM OBSERVER: Bonnie Grenier

MEMBERS PRESENT: Thatcher Kezer, Becky Cutting, Erin Noonan, Debra Larkin, Mimi Hollister, Teri McDonough Mission statement

A discussion of the mission statement as it now appears on the website was first on the agenda. The current mission statement reads as follows:

“The mission of the Fair Housing Committee includes helping the public and town officials to understand and support fair and affordable housing through education, advocacy and awareness of

No experience is necessary for this indoor sport. Instructions on how to play the game will be available at every session. Yearly fee is $15. Contact pbibbo@aol. com with questions.

Stretch & Strength

The Council on Aging offers a Strength & Stretch class on Mondays at 11:30 a.m. and Thursdays at 11 a.m. Cost is $3.

Step it Up

Karen Jancsy leads this lowimpact movement and muscle conditioning class on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 8 a.m.

Weight Training

A Weight Training class is held on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at 8:45 a.m. Cost is $3.

Yoga with Evie

This yoga class is held on Mondays at 9 a.m., Wednesdays at 8:30 a.m. and Thursdays and Fridays at 9:30 a.m.

Chair Yoga

Gail Perry Borden teaches Chair Yoga on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 11 a.m. Cost is $3.

Line Dancing

Kate Hoffman teaches Line

Dancing on Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The first hour is focused on beginners; however, opportunities; continually developing the committee’s expertise and acting as a resource to the public officials and the public at large; and developing and implementing programs that expand, enhance or rehabilitate the fair and affordable housing stock in Marblehead.”

After some discussion, members agreed that the statement is well written and reflects the mission of the FHC. No changes were recommended at this time. Missing from the meeting was Dirk Isbrandtsen who had submitted suggestions for “guiding principles” that might be relevant to the mission statement. This matter will be taken up again at the next meeting when Isbrandtsen is present. Website update Members reviewed the FHC website and discussed what updates/changes could be made. Some suggestions included:

Additional “quick links” that would help answer general questions people might have. However, too much information/too many links could be overwhelming for those conducting searches.

» A link to HUD guidelines would help people determine if they might qualify for affordable housing. Provide information that would walk those interested in affordable housing through the steps required.

» Highlight the resources available for help finding affordable housing, including the Marblehead Housing Authority, the Council on Aging, the Marblehead Counseling Center. CHAPA (Citizens Housing & Planning Association) and Mass Housing. Add existing affordable housing opportunities to the home page so they would be immediately visible.

» Identify rental vs. home ownership opportunities. Is information about dealing with evictions diversion measures or fuel assistance appropriate for the FHC website, which is meant to focus on affordable housing?

» Have a place to sign up for email notification when new affordable housing opportunities become all are welcome and encouraged to participate. Cost is $5.

Quilting

Learn how to quilt in this class on Thursdays at 10 a.m. Cost is $5 per class.

Knitting Group

Drop-in knitting is Thursdays at 9 a.m.

Cribbage

Cribbage is held on Tuesdays. Doors close at 9:30 a.m.

Mahjong

Play mahjong Mondays and Wednesdays, 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

I Love Bridge

This advanced bridge instruction class meets Mondays, 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m.

Cost is $5. Drop-in bridge is on Tuesdays, 10 a.m. to noon, and Fridays, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Learn more about insurance

Trained SHINE counselors offer free, unbiased, confidential counseling on all aspects of Medicare and related insurance programs. Appointments are available at the COA. Call 781-631-6225.

Get a senior Charlie Card

People who are 65 years or older are eligible for reduced available. A section entitled “Why Worry About Affordable Housing?” would provide information on the need for and benefits of affordable housing in Marblehead. For homework, members were asked to review the website and send their suggestions for changes/improvements to Debbie Larkin who will bring that information to the next meeting.

Press release

It was suggested that a press release explaining what’s going on with local affordable housing efforts in town would be a good idea. In the not-too-distant future, affordable units will be available at Vinnin Square and in Marblehead at the Sailmaker Place development.

In addition, the town just voted in new zoning bylaws to allow accessory dwelling units in town.

More information about the Housing Production Plan would also help educate the community on the efforts being made to increase affordable housing in Marblehead.

Coffin School update Hollister mentioned that the School Committee had met and discussed the Coffin School property. No decisions will be made on the school until after the June election; however, amongst current members there is a reluctance to turn the property over to the town. Kezer reminded members that once a school property is declared surplus, it must be released to the town. He also reminded people that if a former school property is sold, the benefit to the schools would be the revenue generated by the new growth. Resignations

Larkin announced that Katie Farrell would be stepping down from the Fair Housing Committee. The Disabilities Commission will nominate someone to fill the vacancy.

In addition, McDonough announced that she has taken a new position with the Salem Housing Authority and will have to step down from the FHC as well. She will be replaced by someone from the Marblehead Housing Authority.

The next meeting will be June 12 at 1 p.m. at Abbot Hall.

MBTA fares with a senior Charlie Card. These cards are valid for eight years. Call Nadine Lepick at 781-631-6225 Tuesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. to ask questions or make an appointment to process an application. Cards can also be reloaded with cash on any bus.

Want a lift?

The COA offers transportation services to both in-town and out-of-town medical appointments and in-town errands such as the hairdresser, bank, to vote or to the COA for programs and/or lunch. Weekly grocery shopping trips to Crosby’s and Market Basket and bimonthly trips to the North Shore Mall are also available. Transportation runs Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. To schedule a ride, call 781-631-6225.

Home safety audits

The town offers home safety audits to local residents. A representative from both the Marblehead Fire Department and the Council on Aging will schedule a time to meet seniors at their homes and review and discuss home safety options. Also, free fire alarms, carbon monoxide detectors and lock boxes can be installed. To learn more, contact Sharon Doliber at 781-631-6225.