CLEAN ENERGY TASK FORCE MINUTES
FEBRUARY 2, 2009
SPECIAL MEETING
The meeting was called to order at 6:37 p.m. in the Main Meeting Room of Simsbury Town Hall. The following members were present: Lori Fernand, Patrick Boeshans, Susan Van Kleef and Jim Ray. Also in attendance was Deputy First Selectman John Hampton.
1. APPROVE THE REGULAR MEETING MINUTES OF JANUARY 21, 2009
Chairman Boeshans requested a motion to approve the regular meeting minutes of January21, 2009. Commissioner Van Kleef made the motion to approve the minutes with changes to the footer date, and lines 48-51. Commissioner Ray seconded the motion. The revised minutes were unanimously approved. Commissioner Fernand will be forwarding the approved minutes to Sue Mazurski.
2. PUBLIC AUDIENCE
Chairman Boeshans opened up the floor for public audience. No comments were entered into the record and the public audience was closed. A general discussion was held among commissioners about the new reoccurring public audience portion of task force meetings and the current vacancy on the task force.
3. REVIEW OF ACTIONABLE ITEMS AND IDENTIFICATION OF NEW ITEMS
Commissioner Ray updated the task force on an actionable items spreadsheet, which he compiled from previous meetings. The commissioners agreed to review the action plan each week and provide updates to Commissioner Ray, who volunteered to update the action plan list.
Commissioner Van Kleef provided an update on the creation of a task force web page within the town’s existing website. Rick Bazzano will be providing a link to review the page. The goal is to have the page go live prior to March 1. Deputy First Selectman Hampton discussed video updates to the town website and also recommended that the task force research utilizing Facebook or other online media sources to promote the clean energy initiatives.
Commissioner Van Kleef updated the task force on her ongoing conversations with Sue Bullock regarding the library display. Commissioner Fernand will make contact with the Environmental Club and Mr. Avery at Simsbury High School to request assistance in designing and decorating this space. Commissioner Van Kleef also provided information on her ongoing inquiries with the Clean Energy Fund. In addition to her work on the Energy Options Form, she agreed to contact them regarding Chairman Boeshans previous request for a press release and Commissioner Weisbrech’s questions regarding the earned solar system point calculation and tracking methods.
Deputy First Selectman Hampton updated the Commissioners on the status of the town’s pending purchase of renewable energy credits in support of the original clean energy resolution. The town of Avon was benchmarked and an RFP is being completed in support of the purchase process. Commissioner Ray made a note that the town’s involvement in the Clean Energy Innovations Grants Program is reliant upon the completion of the REC purchases. Chairman Boeshans added that purchases were now necessary for 2008 and 2009.
Chairman Boeshans provided an update on the town’s first LEEDs certified projects at Ethel Walker and Westminster schools as reported to him by Austin Barney II. The task force recommended drafting proclamations recognizing the accomplishments and also contacting the institutions to inquire regarding possible open house events in conjunction with Earth Day.
Commissioner Ray discussed his idea to create a Power Point presentation for the task force members to utilize when presenting to local clubs and organizations. He volunteered to create a draft for future discussions.
Deputy First Selectman Hampton updated the Commissioners on the upcoming Simsbury Volunteer Expo in March, and the group unanimously agreed that the task force should be represented as exhibitors.
The task force discussed the town’s involvement in the EPA Community Challenge and Chairman Boeshans agreed to draft a letter to the board requesting that the previously drafted resolution be placed on the upcoming February 9th Board of Selectmen meeting agenda.
Commissioner Fernand provided an update on her efforts to contact Congressman Chris Murphy’s office on behalf of the Task Force. She will work to start a dialogue and move forward Simsbury’s clean energy agenda. Commissioner Fernand will also update the clubs and organizations list that was previously compiled.
Commissioner Weisbrech provided an update on his conversations with Representative Linda Schofield. She has agreed to help promote the Clean Energy message in her personal newsletter. Additionally, Commissioner Weisbrich provided detailed information and clarification regarding the Clean Energy Funds Communities Program that includes the ability for municipalities to earn a free clean energy system. The current threshold, set by CCEF, is 400 points.
4. NEXT MEETING/FUTURE MEETINGS CALENDER
An updated future meeting schedule was agreed upon by the task force members. In addition to the scheduled regular meeting on 2-18 and the special meeting scheduled for 3-2, the following future meeting dates were identified: March 16, 2009, March 30, 2009, April 13, 2009, May 13, 2009, May 27, 2009, and June 10, 2009.
8. ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Ray motioned to adjourn the meeting at approximately 8:20 p.m. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Weisbrech and unanimously approved.
Respectfully submitted,
Patrick Boeshans
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