Town weighs generator, battery and water-storage options for shelters and fire response

Selectboard members discussed several approaches to ensure the town can operate shelters and support firefighting, focusing on generator procurement, potential Powerwall battery leases and long-term water-storage strategies.

Officials told the board they have limited grant opportunities for commercial-grade generators and that some shelter sites (school, town hall, fairgrounds) lack sufficient backup power. Speaker 4 said the school may need a larger generator and proposed a shared grant or in-kind contribution with the school district to meet co-funding matches. An attendee suggested portable hookups at the town hall so volunteers could plug in donated generators during an incident.

Fire-safety planning centered on water availability. Speakers estimated a need for roughly 30,000 gallons to support sustained operations and discussed options such as burying storage tanks on private property and installing a dry hydrant and pressurized pipe near the store to create a reliable drafting point. Board members asked staff to pursue cost estimates and potential grants for both generators and water-storage solutions and to coordinate with neighboring towns on tanker-shuttle strategies.

No formal motion was taken; the board directed staff to collect quotes and grant information and to report back with specific cost estimates and recommended funding options.