Portola Valley Update August 17, 2023

This week's update:

• Tonight Summer Concert Series - August 17th
• Road Closure Zotts to Tots Race - Sept 23
• Emergency Preparedness Committee - Evacuation Work
• Sustainability Committee Tip - Energy Efficient Federal Tax Credits
• Conservation Committee Tip of the Month - Stinkwort
• Wildfire Preparedness Committee Tip - Volunteer Opportunities
• Hawthorns Area Public Access Working Group Site Tour
• Town Hall Doors Closed on Fridays
• Road resurfacing along Alpine Road in Ladera
• Upcoming Events

Tonight - Summer Concert Series - August 17th

Join us for the second in a 3 part summer concert series with an evening of music with Fleetwood Macrame, on the Performance Lawn by the Library. Food Trucks will be at the Farmers Market. Please also feel free to bring blankets and lawn chairs and a picnic basket with your favorite snacks and beverages.

Fleetwood Macrame is a Bay Area, tribute band covering all the hits of one-and-only Fleetwood Mac. They sound so much like Fleetwood Mac that if you closed your eyes, you would think it was the real thing.

Road Closures Zotts to Tots Race - Sept 23

The Town Will be temporarily closing part of Alpine and Portola Roads for the Zotts to Tots family fun run and bike race. This is to keep our families and friend safe during this fun event. The roads will close will close at 9:45 along the race route on Alpine Road (by Rosotti’s/Alpine Inn) and Portola Road ( at Westridge) . The race will start promptly at 10 AM. As the last runner passes each interstation and drive way that section of the road will reopen. For example the businesses at the corner of Alpine and Portola Roads will quickly open as the race will pass it in the first 10 - 15 minutes.

Learn more about the closure and register for the race here.

Emergency Preparedness Committee - Evacuation Work

The Town's Emergency Preparedness Committee has been working on a draft Town evacuation plan. The draft is located here for the community to reference. The Town is in the process of reviewing the draft but wanted the community to be able to access the current version of the draft.

#Sustainability : Energy Efficient Federal Tax Credits

Did you know that there are federal tax credits available for making energy efficiency home improvements? There are two types of tax credits currently available:

• Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit
• Residential Clean Energy Property Credit.

They cover different improvements and have different rules, so it’s important to familiarize yourself with all the details so you can maximum your tax credits.

For more information, refer to these link from the IRS and Rewiring America:

• Frequently asked questions about energy efficient home improvements and residential clean energy property credits (irs.gov)
• CTF Assets Fact Sheet

Note that TechCleanCalifornia, Bayren (Bay Area Regional Energy Network), Peninsula Clean Energy, and PG&E also offer rebates, home checkups, and up to $10,000 interest-free loans for energy efficiency improvements. The PCE rebates are particularly generous ($3000-$4000 for heat pumps and hot water HPs). Be sure to contract with a Bayren-approved contractor so they can help you get your maximum credits and rebates. Bayren provides a free home energy advisor and has a list of energy professionals (Bayren Energy Professionals). The Switch is On website can also help you find out what rebates are available to go all electric.

This article only covers tax credits. Note that the tax credits are calculated after you subtract your rebates.

The following is a quick summary of the most important aspects of the two energy tax credits: (please refer to this IRS link for more specific details.)

Under the Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit: a taxpayer may not carry the credit forward. Thus, if a taxpayer does not have sufficient tax liability to claim all or a portion of the credit in the year in which the related property for which the qualifying expenditure is placed in service, the unused amount of the credit may never be claimed. The credit only applies to owner-occupied existing homes. The aggregate yearly tax credit maximum is $1200 except that if you install an electric heat pump water heater or an electric heat pump, you can get a separate aggregate yearly credit limit of $2,000. Thus, the maximum total yearly energy efficient home improvement credit amount may be up to $3,200. The credit runs from Jan 1, 2023, until 2032. The credit applies in the year the item is put into service. The credit can be claimed each year that new improvements are made.

The credit covers:

• Building envelope components such as insulation and air sealing materials, windows, and doors. It only covers the material cost not the labor. Each item has a specific maximum such as 30% of the cost of an energy efficient window up to a maximum of $250 each up to a total of $500 total.
• Home energy audits (30% of costs up to $150).
• Energy property (water heaters, furnaces, electrical panel improvements for energy property). Energy property improvements includes labor costs. Each item has a specific maximum. (30% of costs, including labor, up to $600 for each item).
• Heat pumps (30% of costs including labor up to $2000). Be sure to confirm that the chosen heat pump complies with the required standards.

Under the Residential Clean Energy Property Credit: a taxpayer may carry forward the unused amount of the credit to reduce tax liability in future tax years. (includes labor). The credit only applies to owner-occupied homes but can apply to both existing and newly constructed homes. The credit began Jan 1, 2022, and extends until 2032.

• Solar panels
• Fuel cells
• Solar water heating
• Wind energy
• Battery storage

Start planning your home improvements to make your home more energy efficient, more comfortable, less toxic, and less planet destroying! They key is planning now (and even installing any necessary outlets or potential electrical panel upgrades), so you are prepared in the event your hot water heater or furnace fails. Energy efficient upgrades are important to keep our planet habitable and your house comfortable.

Conservation Committee - Tip of the Month

Stinkwort or Stinking Fleabane Dittrichia graveolens

• Fall (Aug-Sept) flowering member of the Aster family. An annual, native to Europe, it is very invasive in California.
• Resembles several desirable native species -see photos
• Foliage has sticky hairs covered in a strong and rank smelling resin, which can lead to headache and/or contact dermatitis.
• Found in disturbed areas along roads, construction sites, horse corrals and neglected property.
• Seeds are tiny and are spread by construction equipment, soles of shoes and wind.
• One plant can infest both your yard as well as your neighbor’s yard – be a good neighbor.

Hand pull before they bloom - you don’t need to get the roots, just get as much as you can.

• If you get them BEFORE flowers form they can be composted.
• If flowers have formed, bag and dispose of in trash (they go to seed almost overnight).

PROTECT YOUR SKIN

• Wear gloves, long pants and long sleeves (causes contact dermatitis in some people)
• If you can’t get to it soon, please ask your gardener to focus on this next time they visit.

Wildfire Preparedness Committee Tip - Volunteer Opportunities

At the SMC Disaster Preparedness Day, there were 2 county organizations looking for volunteers.

San Mateo County Explorers is for teens and young adults ages 14-20. Under the SMC Sheriff’s Office, Explorers learn character-building skills in first aid, CPR, and leadership. Post 810 explores law enforcement while Post 830 explores Search and Rescue. To know more, fill out the form at this QR code or call 650-488-1516.

For adults, consider joining the SMC Medical Reserve Corps. The MRC network provides a way for medical and public health professionals and other volunteers to respond to community health needs during disasters and other public health emergencies. Email mrc@smcgov.org.

Our hearts are with the island of Maui and the state of Hawaii. The NYTimes has a good article on how to help. This is also a good time to make sure that you are subscribed to SMCAlert. Remember, if you see or smell smoke, take the time to assess the situation.

Hawthorns Area Public Access Working Group Site Tour

Saturday, August 26 - 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Get ready for the Hawthorns Area Public Access Working Group site tour and public meeting – an event that welcomes everyone! We extend a warm invitation to join us on this 3-to-4-hour site tour of key locations on the site.

To ensure that all attendees have an enjoyable experience, we kindly request that you RSVP by 5pm August 22. By doing so, we'll be able to make appropriate arrangements and we will do our best to cater to any special accommodations or assistance you may need during the tour.

Regrettably, given that this is a walking tour, we won't be able to accommodate those who arrive late. As the Hawthorns Area is currently closed to the public, the gate will be closed at 9:10 am and remain shut for the duration of the tour.

RSVP Here

Town Hall Lobby Closed on Fridays

The Town Council approved physically closing Town Hall’s doors every Friday until September 15th, 2023. Staff will still be working but the lobby will be closed to visitors. The Planning & Building Department has virtual appointments for services that include meetings with a planner, building/planning permit submittals, and more. The PV Connect system is available for submitting service requests. You can still reach staff by email and phone.

Road resurfacing along Alpine Road in Ladera

San Mateo County Public Works Dept will be paving roads (slurry seals) in the unincorporated area of Ladera. Partial lane closures along Alpine Road will happen between August 21 – 25 and August 28-31. Please be prepared for delays along Alpine Road on these days.

Learn more from the County here.