Deerfield Energy Committee Seats New Member, Advances Municipal Solar Planning

DEERFIELD -- January 22, 2026, Deerfield's Energy Conservation Committee unanimously seated Bruce Dolan, an ISO New England data governance employee, as its newest member at its January 22 meeting. The committee, which also heard from Franklin Regional Council of Governments guest Ted Harvey, discussed a proposed one- to two-thousand-dollar helioscope solar feasibility study for the town's wastewater treatment plant through consultant Weston and Sampson, though member M.A. Swedeland reported she had already lined up free preliminary estimates from PV Squared and Northeast Solar. Town administrator Tim was credited with redirecting ARPA funds to cover a separate solar installation at the public library. The committee tabled an energy storage grant application because of a one-day deadline and insufficient groundwork, while agreeing that battery storage paired with solar at Frontier Regional School, if the district can be designated as a municipal emergency center, remains a priority. A prior Green Communities grant for an elementary school building management system is nearly through final reporting, clearing the way for a new application by the April 10 deadline targeting a similar upgrade at Frontier.