Present: Larry Chase, Steve Darling, Pecco Beaufays, Janet Moore, Vicky Mishcon, Andy Prokosch, Jeff Dickinson

Larry, Susan, Vicky, and Steve reported on their May visit to Vital Communities in White River Junction, Vermont re: a residential solar group purchase project for Andover. Vital Communities is interested in having Andover participate in a project that might also include New London, which would be a significant addition. (They serve the Upper Valley area, which extends to New London and Wilmot, but not to Andover.)

A small contingent will go to their orientation meeting on June 12 to learn about how the group purchase would work and how communities would be selected for the project. A letter of support and recommendation from the Selectmen would be required as part of the application to participate.

We then moved on to the “Big Picture” idea. Andover could be a model community for alternative and renewable energies and energy efficiency. First step is to approach NHEC and their foundation to see if we could become a “demonstration town.” Vicky will contact Bill Johnstone at NHEC to set up a meeting.

Jeff led us into the Planet Green discussion stemming from the May 14 presentation by Aeolian Wind. Because the company would have to lay out so much money up front, they would require a zoning variance before any work would begin. Aeolian would install a small, three-turbine operation. Need to check with Sophie Viandier re: what action on our part is needed, if any.

Larry and Susan will meet with a representative of the New Hampshire Sierra Club on June 10 to discuss vehicle group purchase possibilities.

Maria Glorioso has indicated an interest in moving a wood bank project ahead, in terms of finding clients who heat with wood. Steve Allenby is involved in the harvesting aspect.

Re: upcoming program ideas, Sophie has offered to do an update on her house. Jeff could offer a 25-year look back at alternative and renewable energies – perhaps aimed at local area officials and/or all the Andover committee officials, i.e. planning, zoning, conservation boards. We could showcase energy efficient cars on September 27 during the Special Olympics fundraiser in town.

We meet next on Thursday, July 3, at Highland Lake Inn. Thanks again to Gail and Pecco Beaufays for their hospitality.