Dorset Energy Coordinator and Committee
2009 Projects

During 2009, Stage Two of the Energy Committee’s weatherization plan for the Town Offices was completed with the assistance of a grant obtained by the Town Manager, Rob Gaiotti.  The plan was based on an energy audit done by the Committee at no cost to the Town.   

Substantial progress was made in implementing energy and money saving initiatives at the Town’s largest facility - The Dorset School.  A walk-through of the School by members of the Energy Committee, representatives of Hand Energy Services and School Staff, led to recommendations for energy saving opportunities.  The School Principal, Jim Merryman, the Head Custodian, Derek Chalmers, and others at the School did a great job of implementing the recommended steps, including: improvements to lighting, extensive weat pher stripping; improvements to the School’s boilers; installation of timers for bus block heaters; energy saving steps for computers; installation of energy saving devices for vending machines; removal of several old refrigerators; improvements to kitchen fans and motion sensors.  The energy and cost savings from these steps have already been significant, and will continue to pay dividends for years.

The Town Energy Coordinator addressed The Dorset School, as Keynote Speaker, at its opening ceremonies in the Fall.  Hopefully, teaching our coming generations about energy issues early in their educations can help build interest in, and appreciation of, our energy challenges.   

The Committee worked with both Fire Districts, doing energy audits of their buildings, drawing up weatherization plans and assisting with submitting grant applications.  We are hoping for a successful application in the spring of ’10.  

Together with Manchester, the Dorset Energy Committee obtained a grant from the Stratton Foundation for the weatherization of two local homes.  We are working on gaining assistance for a third home through other sources.  

Also together with Manchester, Dorset participated in Efficiency Vermont’s Vermont Community Energy Mobilization (“VCEM”) Program.  Members of the Energy Committee, and others from the community, volunteered and performed energy efficiency updates at a number of homes in Dorset.

In order to conserve energy and to improve the air breathed in by employees & the public, “No Idling” signs have been placed outside the East Dorset Post Office, the East Dorset Store and the Dorset Union Store, with the assistance of the Committee.  We are planning for more to follow, and remain in contact with Idle-Free VT.  

The Committee worked with the Dorset Planning Commission to compose a new energy section for the Town Plan just adopted.  We have also commenced work to improve the handling of Dorset’s waste stream including recycling at the Transfer Station and working with Casella..

The Committee has begun to compile an inventory of Dorset's water, solar, biomass, wind and waste energy resources and their potential for power generation.  We also continue to search for grant money and maintain contact with our legislators, all of whom have been very helpful

The Committee also sought a grant for a feasibility study for a Property Assessed Clean Energy (“PACE”) program.  While we were unsuccessful in getting the grant, the Committee continues to study the potential for a PACE program in Dorset, potentially in partnership with other towns in the area.
 
Anyone interested in the work of the Committee is welcome to attend our monthly meetings.

                    Jim Hand, Town Energy Coordinator