On the warning for Town Meeting on Monday night, March 5, is an article that, if approved by the voters, will create an Energy Fund for the Town of Weybridge. The purpose of the Energy Fund will be to support energy-saving and renewable energy initiatives to benefit the residents of Weybridge. It would be funded by a one cent addition to the tax rate for a period of four years. This would add approximately $20 annually to the tax bill of a $200,000 home and we anticipate it will produce a total of about $52,000 over the four years. The Energy Fund would be overseen by the Weybridge Energy Committee with any expenditures to be approved by the Weybridge Selectboard.
Some examples of projects that the Weybridge Energy Fund could support include: improving the energy efficiency of town buildings, installing solar panels on town buildings, installing electric vehicle charging stations at the Weybridge School and the Town Office, and providing training for members of the Weybridge Volunteer Fire Dept. on different techniques for fighting fires in houses with roof-mounted solar panels. There would also be money available to take advantage of matching grant opportunities offered by Efficiency Vermont for assisting individual Weybridge homeowners with energy audits, upgrading insulation, and other energy conservation initiatives.
I urge all Weybridge voters to attend Town Meeting on Monday, March 5, to hear more about the proposed Weybridge Energy Fund, ask questions, and hopefully support its creation. Town Meeting starts at 7 p.m. at the Weybridge School. Come early at 6 p.m. to chat with your neighbors over coffee, cider and dessert.
Gale Hurd
Weybridge