Finance Committee Approves Article That Will Help Advance Town Solar

At their October 17 meeting, the Finance Committee addressed the proposed addition of Town Solar to the Special Town Meeting, the six-year tentative Capital planning funding, and Special Town Meeting Write-Ups.

Special Town Meeting Warrant

Town Manager Sarah Stanton and Director of Facilities Tassir Alani addressed the Finance Committee about Article 16, which would redirect the future of Town Solar to the discretion of the Town Manager. This process is very similar to that of the Land Acquisition Fund, wherein the Town Manager can, as funds become available, go forward with an expenditure from a previously approved list.

Finance Committee member Stephen Steele expressed his concerns over the projected savings of Town Solar. Stanton and Alani assured Steele that the estimated savings are reflective of their expectations.

Finance Committee member Paul Mortenson questioned if the town was considering buying the solar panels outright, instead of utilizing Solect Energy and Enel X. Alani said the town had not explored that possibility more due to the complexity of the technology.

Finance Committee member Stephen Carluccio asked about the future of the solar panels if the chosen company were to go bankrupt. A similar question was proposed to Stanton and Alani at the October 7 Selectmen’s meeting by Selectman Bill Moonan. Similar to the answer given then, if the company were to file for bankruptcy, the town would retain the solar panels.

The Committee unanimously recommended the article for Town Meeting approval.

For more information, click the following links:

• https://thebedfordcitizen.org/2019/10/from-fawn-lake-dredging-to-solar-plans-for-town-buildings-selectmen-work-through-a-full-agenda-at-october-7-meeting/
•  https://thebedfordcitizen.org/2019/10/solar-panels-for-bedford-schools-get-green-light/

 6-Year Tentative Capital Planning Funding

Town Manager Sarah Stanton reviewed the proposed six-year capital planning funding. The plan has yet to be approved by the Capital Expenditures Committee. FinCom took no further action on the tentative funding.

The Finance Committee plans to complete their recommendations on Thursday night, October 24, and will make them available to the press.

The next Finance Committee meeting is planned for October 24.