***Draft***
CLEAN ENERGY TASK FORCE MINUTES
September 30, 2009
REGULAR MEETING
The meeting was called to order at 6:50 p.m. by Chairman Boeshans in Room 103 of Simsbury Town Hall, with the following members present: Patrick Boeshans, Al Weisbrich, Susan Van Kleef and Jim Ray. Also attending were Dixon Clark and Tom Roy.
1. APPROVE THE REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
The minutes from the last meeting were reviewed by all and Chairman Boeshans requested a motion to approve the regular meeting minutes of September 16, 2009. Commissioner Weisbrich made the motion to approve the minutes as submitted. Commissioner Ray seconded the motion.
2. PUBLIC AUDIENCE
Chairman Boeshans opened up the floor for public audience.
Dixon Clark indicated that he had been invited by John Hampton to get an update of the group’s activities. Mr. Clark had originally written a letter to the town about the need for a clean energy group after seeing other towns starting up ones on their own. Mr. Clark pursued it until the Board of Selectman agreed to form a Task Force. Chairman Boeshans shared some highlights of the activities the Task Force had both completed and had underway. Mr. Clark was very appreciative for all the efforts undertaken and the accomplishments thus far and indicated he would probably come to future meetings to keep involved. Mr. Clark will look for some of his original correspondence to provide information for future articles about the initiation of the Task Force.
Tom Roy brought the Task Force up to date as to the Energy Workshop he had attended in West Hartford as well as the continuing efforts being undertaken by the town. The following summarize the key points addressed.
- At the West Hartford Workshop, several towns shared their ideas and efforts they had been undertaking in regards to energy efficiency and clean energy. Most of the clean energy was to related to solar photovoltaic systems that had been installed. One town also indicated that they had given away CFLs for all those who signed up for the Clean Energy initiative. One of the ideas he liked for energy efficiency was the contest that the West Hartford schools had done. Mr. Roy was informed that the Task Force was aware of this one and will bring the idea up with the Simsbury High School Environmental Club as an initiative they might want to pursue. Many of the other activities in regard to energy savings were in line with what Simsbury already had done or has plans
underway to do.
- In preparation for the change over from sand to the ‘sticky’ brine solution for the roads, the town has been selling off its sand supply. It is also still the goal to convert at least one of the snow plows to run off re-cycled kitchen grease from the local schools.
- In the town buildings, they are looking at T8 versus T5 fluorescents in order to save energy. Basic criteria is also to at least maintain the current lighting level.
- Another major lighting evaluation is being done for the street lights and those in the public parking lots. Potential for some significant energy and cost savings exist here.
- Review of the town building energy usage showed electricity as the main cost driver so that is the area being investigated there. There already is a computerized control system but it is expected it is not optimized. Johnson Controls is reviewing the software in that regard.
- Although the contract with TransCanada for hydro-generated electricity has another year, a scheme where you buy power per day from the lowest price provider is being investigated.
- With the removal of the in ground fuel storage tanks as a preventive measure as they are beyond their warranty, the overall fuel management system is being upgraded which will be able to track fuel usage by individual vehicle. This will allow both educational opportunity for driving habits as well as identifying vehicles for maintenance or for future sales due to inefficiency.
- A new four door Ford 150 is being procured to replace a Ford 350. It is felt the 150 can do all or most of the jobs the 350 has been doing with resultant fuel savings and perhaps savings of multiple vehicles for carrying workers with the four door version.
- January 1st is when the town will need to start providing energy data as part of the EPA challenge. The Task Force had already volunteered to help in the data entry. Mr. Roy indicated he would provide details as to what is needed and arrange for remote access so the Task Force can do this from home.
- Mr. Roy indicated that the Town was also planning on participating in the Clean Cities grant program this next year.
- Mr. Roy said there was an upcoming energy conference in Northampton this October and he would get the information to the Task Force.
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.
The training for the Clean Energy Fund grant was completed by Commissioner Fernand and Chairman Boeshans. The Town has now received the Memorandum of Understanding to sign which will then allow the initial grant of $2,000 (a further $2,000 later) to be available. Requests for Proposals will then be sent out by the Task Force for granting the funds for clean energy initiative efforts. The Clean Energy Fund accepted the Town’s energy credit purchases as part of the basis for this grant.
Commissioner Van Kleef asked if there was interest in setting up a table at the Tariffville event this next weekend. Since no one was available, it was decided to by pass this one. Chairman Boeshans indicated that he would check on the feasibility of doing something during the Simsbury Celebrates event.
Commissioner Van Kleef will check for a possibility of setting up a display in Town Hall. Chairman Boeshans indicated he has a lot more graphics now so can update the signs also.
Chairman Boeshans indicated that the proposal request for funding sent by the Town to Aquarion Water Company for consideration had been agreed in total for the full amount of $15,000. The agreement will make $5,000 available immediately, the next $5,000 in early 2010 and the final $5,000 in early 2011.
Commissioner Van Kleef will check on sources for the solar energy kits that were part of the Aquarion proposal to determine some alternative suppliers at lower costs.
Chairman Boeshans indicated that the Town was preparing press releases about both the Clean Energy Fund grant and the Aquarion Water Company funding.
Commissioner Weisbrich had discussed the use of yard signs at the last meeting to promote clean energy. This was deferred until funding is available either through the Clean Energy Fund community grants and/or Aquarion.
Chairman Boeshans indicated that he had been contacted by the Simsbury Junior Women’s Club to do a presentation. He will set that up with them as mutually determined. Commissioner Ray indicated that since the Rotary Club presentation had been postponed in May, and has been advised that they plan to reschedule in December.
Commissioner Weisbrich volunteered to contact Ethel Walker School and the Westminster School in regard to their LEED certified building projects to gather information for recognition by the Town for each with a proclamation.
With the funding to be available shortly, the next meeting will plan for the implementation of the several projects that have been dependent on funding.
4. IDENTIFICATION OF NEW ACTIONABLE ITEMS
No new action items were identified.
5. OPEN FORUM
No additional topics for discussion were identified.
6. NEXT MEETING/FUTURE MEETINGS CALENDER
The following future meeting dates were confirmed: October 14, 2009; October 28, 2009, November 9, 2009 and December 9, 2009.
7. ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Van Kleef motioned to adjourn the meeting at approximately 8:10 p.m. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Weisbrich and unanimously approved.
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