Wells Energy Committee: recycling tops resident priorities in 141-response survey

The Wells Energy Committee presented results of a resident survey showing strong local interest in recycling and waste services, the committee said.

The committee reported 141 total responses. "Wells residents care a lot about all eight topics," a committee representative said, and recycling/waste services emerged as the clearest top priority. Household energy and insulation and renewable energy providers followed closely in the ranking, with town energy/utilities and public-transit resources showing more room for public education, the committee said.

Presenters told the board they will use the data to prioritize projects and to develop educational outreach, including events and information packets about residential energy upgrades, renewable options (including third-party solar farms), and composting approaches. The committee suggested replicating elements of energy shows it has attended, and working with organizations such as SMPDC energy navigators and the Maine DEP for technical expertise.

Board members praised the survey and discussed possible follow-up: adding home-energy audit information to future events, expanding the local EV show to include vendors for home energy products, and offering composting education if it can be made cost-effective.

The presentation did not commit the town to specific programs or funding amounts; the committee asked the board to consider the survey results when prioritizing CIP or outreach budgets.