Committee advances master-plan matrix updates; greenhouse-gas inventory not yet initiated

The Master Plan Implementation Committee spent much of its June 11 meeting reviewing the implementation matrix and agreed to continue section-by-section updates, starting with natural, cultural and historic items. Chair Rick Leaf said the committee will draft an update memo summarizing the status of all recommendations and ask the Select Board to prioritize staff work.

On sustainability, members said the town holds a Green Community designation and has pursued related grants and energy-efficiency projects (lighting, insulation and HVAC upgrades, school roofing prepared for solar). Committee members said they have not completed a townwide greenhouse-gas inventory: "I don't think we've actually inventoried the town's greenhouse gas emissions," one member said, and the group agreed to mark the inventory as "not yet initiated" while noting other energy-reduction measures are underway.

The committee also reviewed solar feasibility for municipal and school buildings and discussed a volunteer group (Sustainable North) that operates without formal town affiliation; members agreed to record that group as a collaborator rather than an official municipal committee. They asked staff to clarify existing studies and to add a clear inventory item to the matrix.

Why it matters: completing a greenhouse-gas inventory and consolidating energy efforts help towns prioritize funding and meet state Green Community goals, which unlock technical and financial assistance.

What’s next: staff will follow up with DPW on grant activity and solar feasibility updates, add a greenhouse-gas inventory entry to the matrix (status: not yet initiated) and include these items in the memo to the Select Board.