CLEAN ENERGY TASK FORCE MINUTES
MAY 27, 2009
REGULAR MEETING
The meeting was called to order at 6:50 p.m. by Chairman Boeshans in the Board of Education Conference Room of Simsbury Town Hall, with the following members present: Al Weisbrich, Patrick Boeshans, Lori Fernand, Susan Van Kleef and Jim Ray.
1. APPROVE THE REGULAR MEETING MINUTES OF MAY 13, 2009
The minutes from the last meeting were reviewed by all and Chairman Boeshans requested a motion to approve the regular meeting minutes of May 13, 2009. Commissioner Van Kleef made the motion to approve the minutes with changes. Commissioner Ray seconded the motion.
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.
3. REVIEW OF ACTIONABLE ITEMS
A general overview of the open action items was done to determine any updates in status. The updates will be included in the next version that is sent out to the committee.
Commissioner Fernand provided an update on the Clean Energy Fund grant process. The last thing needed to formalize the proposal was the EPA Commitment letter. The Board of Selectman had approved it but the letter had not been finalized. First Selectman Mary Glassman is to sign it tomorrow. With that done, it is expected the required training session can then be done some time later in June with the grant funds available in July. The total grant funds are $4000 with the first distribution being one half, $2000. Prior to issuance, the Town will need to sign a MOU and a person designated within the Town to handle the administration of the funds.
Commissioner Fernand indicated that she had contacted the Simsbury Farmer’s Market and they will let us have a table on July 9th and July 23rd. Discussion of whether the grant funds could be available by then such that we could buy some CFLs for passing out to those who sign up. In order to prepare just in case, information on CFL’s will be gathered as to specific types for different uses (e.g. higher intensity for reading areas) and where they can be purchased. The use of CFLs can also be suggested to be used to offset the slight increase in cost with signing up for Clean Energy.
Brainstorming was done for two of the open action items – the possibility of some grant funds from Aquarian Water Company and a Green Merchant Certification program. For the Aquarian proposal, ideas to purchase ‘green’ products (e.g. low flow shower heads, CFLs, rainwater collection drums), produce a Sustainable Energy Guide, and/or a larger project like the originally planned solar demonstration one. Members were to think about further ideas as well as gather information for discussion at the next meeting. Commissioner Weisbrich will contact Flamig Farm to get information about their solar installation including their supplier. Chairman Boeshans will contact Opel again related to their initial solar proposal. Commissioner Ray will look for other solar installation information. As
information is determined, e-mails will be sent among the CETF members.
Likewise for the Green Merchant Certification, it was agreed that some type of decal/certificate could easily be done. After general discussion in regard to the criteria, it was determined that a points basis could be used based on a list of items. Hypothetically, if 10 points was the needed amount, those who signed up for Clean Energy could be granted the full 10 points based on that alone. For other items where a lower number of points could be provided, these could be based on a recycling program, an energy audit, support of a charitable weatherization program, use of CFLs, use of Energy Star appliances, etc. Again the members are to think of other items that could be used on a list to be discussed at the next meeting. Chairman Boeshans indicated that he will provide an overview of criteria for discussion at
the next meeting. Anyone who can find some small businesses who have saved energy as well as saved money that could be used as a case study example will also be pursued.
4. IDENTIFICATION OF NEW ACTIONABLE ITEMS
Chairman Boeshans indicated that he had been contacted by Jill Paterson to participate on the WFSB program Better Connecticut to briefly talk about the Clean Energy program. He will be taping this Friday.
Commissioner Van Kleef indicated that the display had been taken down at the library and was being held for CETF. She will arrange to pick it up and it will be set up again in the display case at Town Hall.
With the finalization of the Simsbury version of the Clean Energy Sign-up form it was determined that these should be spread out within the town at local businesses. Chairman Boeshans indicated that he would get more copies made and bring them back to the next meeting where all the members could take some to distribute.
5. OPEN FORUM
No additional topics for discussion were identified.
6. NEXT MEETING/FUTURE MEETINGS CALENDER
The following future meeting dates were confirmed: June 10, 2009, June 24, 2009; July 8, 2009; July 22, 2009 and September 2, 2009. The next meeting is scheduled to be in Room 103 on the first floor of Town Hall (at the end of the hall). Location for the later meetings to be determined.
7. ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Weisbrich motioned to adjourn the meeting at approximately 8:20 p.m. The motion was seconded by Chairman Boeshans and unanimously approved.
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