|
MINUTES OF THE 2/28/12 CLEAN ENERGY COMMITTEE MEETING
CALL TO ORDER
A regular meeting of the Clean Energy Committee was called to order at 6:30 pm by Chairman Myjak in the Conference Room of the Village Center of Thompsonville.
ROLL CALL
Present were committee members Steve Moriarty, Jeff Myjak, Ginny Higley, Karen LaPlante, Ray Gwozdz and Greg Mark.
Also present were liaisons Joel Cox and council member Tom Kienzler .
Also present was public participant, Melissa Everett.
OLD BUSINESS
Jeff asked if people had a chance to review the document. Karen noted some suggestions for changes to wording. Jeff stated that they are going to put this out to Miller, Richs, and Troiano’s and that they will note that checks can be sent directly to Joel.
Councilman Kienzler suggested adding a coupon for energy audit, and it would be an added incentive to customers. One part of the proposal asks them to spend a little; the other part will save them a little. He noted that it will make their customers feel good about the company.
Melissa Everett stated t a lot of oil companies are starting to do these audits.
Karen noted that the Spring Splash is coming up. She suggested that someone set up a table and get sign ups. Steve stated that he would as it is a simple tabling event.
Councilman Kienzler asked if there were any agenda items that needed to be moved due his having to leave early.
Jeff then gave an update on the IT and Fire Department solar panel project. Jeff stated that there is something still needs to be fixed on two of the projects. Two are currently up and running working, and live data can be seen on the internet.
Jeff stated that there was still no update regarding the issue being reviewed by the Town Attorney, Joel gave an update that as of that afternoon the Town Attorney is still looking at the issue and needed further review.
ENERGY TASK FORCE
Councilman Kienzler gave an update on the first energy task force meeting. Counmal kienlzer noted that the task force will focus on Lamagna, Enfield Street School and Town Hall as priorities. He went on to state that this sends a message that the Town cares about Thompsonville and clean energy. Counciman Kienzler stated that the Assistant DPW Director is working on some details and that these are parts of large projects that will be done incrementally.
Karen asked if there was a benchmarking being done. Councilman Kienzler responded no and isn’t needed; and that Lynn Nenni from finance will be getting the rest of the information. Lynn was tasked to get all the meter and account information to the task force so that Steve can enter that information into the database.
TABLING EVENTS
Steve gave an update on tabling events. Steve noted that he will be doing one at the spring splash event. Melissa Everett suggested that they do a few a month. There was a suggestion to check on KOHL’s. Melissa also stated that Stop and Shop has an application for charitable organizations that might be easier for the Committee to accomplish rather than just her.
TOWN POINTS
Jeff gave an update, the Town is still at 215 points since August
WEST HARTFORD
Jeff stated that there are no updates, talked to some people up and they aren’t sure what’s going on either.
TOWN ATTORNEY REVIEW HOME ENERGY SOLUTIONS
Jeff asked if there were any idea what the Town Attorney’s concerns are – Joel responded that no, it wasn’t made clear exactly what the concerns were, only of that only that further review needed to be done.
Jeff stated that 14 town already doing it and that Glastonbury, Avon and West Hartford are already participating with no problems.
Jeff noted that he has been happy with the response so far, will be happier once review is done.
Jeff stated that CRI will be at the upcoming home show and the committee is welcome be at their table. Greg asked if the committee was going to have their own table and Jeff stated that the cost of 650 dollars was too much for the committee.
Steve and Greg both stated they would check their schedules and sit at home show table if schedules permit.
The committee discussed what materials to do if no one is at the table, Melissa stated that she thought the newsletter is important to have there.
NEWSLETTER
Karen asked how many people are subscribed and Jeff stated that he thought it was over 10 but would have to check.
Greg stated that he needs to get to work on the next newsletter.
Steve suggested maybe going quarterly with the newsletter distribution. Melissa suggested keeping it monthly. Jeff also stated he wants to keep it monthly. The committee went on to discuss ideas for article to put into the newsletter.
Jeff asked Greg if articles get to hime this week can he get the newsletter done and Greg responded yes.
BENCHMARKING
Jeff asked Steve if he had heard correctly that Lynn Nenni will be getting all of the information and Steve stated that yes she will be gathering all account numbers and meters information. Karen stated that she will help enter the information and that even though she is resigning she would like to contribute.
GOAL SETTING
Jeff outlined his goals for the future.
Jeff stated that he would like to see 300 singn ups by June and 400 by December 31.
Jeff would like to see the committee at the 4th oth July and Earth Day events and anEnergy Awareness event for October at library. Jeff stated that Monthly newsletter should be out every month before end of month. Jeff noted that in terms of Home energy audit he would like to see 75 by April, 200 by July 30th, 325 by October 30th and 450 by January 31st, 2013. Meliisa asked if those are these based on points or and Jeff responded that no they are based on his goals, because he is ambitious. Karen asked there were points for show at high school and Greg asked who keeps track of all the point information. Jeff stated that he has asked Rebecca Meyer to provide him with information.
Jeff stated that for April he wants to develop ideas for the free 3kw solar array. Ginny questioned if the committee has already put some ideas out there such as the Library. Jeff responded yes and that they also considered the transfer station. Steve noted that dog park has created a lot of traffic at the transfer station. Ginny suggested maybe at Enfield High as they go through consolidation. Karen suggested John F Kennedy Middle School because everyone goes there and it is very visible. Melissa noted the importance of figuring out a strategically visible placement. Jeff asked the members jot down ideas for April meeting.
Melissa posed the question about what the primary roles and goals of the Clean Energy committee are as opposed to the newly formed energy task force. Steve noted the difference between the two, clarifying that the committee promotes clean energy. Jeff further explained that the energy task force was formed to look specifically at Town buildings. Karen also noted that the task force is in charge of implementing the Town projects.
Jeff suggested an Elementary School electric energy challenge in November. Ray asked if was just elementary and Jeff stated that he was thinking to keep it to elementary schools. Ray inquired if this challenge was just for public school and Steve noted that some people might object to prizes being awarded to private schools.
Jeff asked if the members had any additional goals. Steve stated that he would like to begin approaching school systems to include clean energy into curriculum. Steve suggested that maybe one of the goals could be to use excess money for teachers to go to energy and science related seminars so that they can learn about the topics. The committee discussed this idea. Jeff noted a company from Texas , Energy Education, that is doing some work in towns in the state.
Melissa suggested another goal, possibly devoting some time to strategic planning? Steve suggested that this may be something later on, but not now. Ginny stated that it is a great idea to start strategic plan but have to lay foundation
Ray suggested that perhaps one of the goals should be to work with businesses coming into town. When new businesses come in, the committee gets them information. Karen suggested partnering with Community and Economic Development. .
Melissa suggested a sub-goal such s maybe having people at the State level who can speak at events so that local people and leaders can see that it is something prestigious and worthwhile. Jeff stated that he thinks that the event coming up in April for the Town Manager, Mayor and other officials will amaze them.
Ginny stated that she will be following up on 4th of July table and Earth Day, the Town is still unsure about earth day. Steve stated that he will be doing his Earth Day event regardless.
Steve and Ray will work on the goal for points
It was noted that some projects may have to be on hold until a new member is appointed. JC asked Karen to submit letter so that it can go before council and be posted. Ginny noted concern about possibility of who will be appointed. Joel stated that nobody has been mentioned thus far.
Jeff asked for a volunteer to take on task of developing a plan for working with new businesses. Ginny suggested tabling it for now to work on ideas. Melissa volunteered to assist.
Jeff stated he has been thinking about working with local real estate agents towards getting e-facts done during the buying process. Ginny noted that there are a few real estate agents on the town Council that might eb able to help.
PUBLIC COMMENT
There was no public comment.
NEW BUSINESS
SEMINAR
Jeff stated that he and Steve recently went to a seminar. Jeff went to learn about performance contracting and getting word out. Jeff noted that he found out that Enfield is actually doing much more than some other towns such as the Energy expo, Newsletters, etc…Jeff stated that he talked to people in Vernon, they are working on an energy improvement district and they are running into roadblocks. Ray asked what kind and Jeff stated that they are generating all types of electricity but can’t do anything with it. The committee discussed the matter further.
Jeff stated that they talked about 0 percent financing available for projects and performance contracting. There is a big event at Four Points Sheraton in Meriden where they will be announcing this and ther exciting things on April 3.
CORRESPONDENCE
Jeff shared something he got something from Jose Giner. “Turning your yuck into guck “ Jeff was pleased to see that other people in Town Hall starting to look at things now.
Jeff stated that he heard from E-TV. Good News Enfield is looking to do a presentation with Maya related to energy. The committee discussed some ideas for the show.
Steve shared copies of Photon magazine, Joel noted that he got a few more as well. Jeff suggested giving them to the library when done.
Ginny gave an update on the solar famr tou. She noted that the Indian Orchard site was immaculate. Ginny stated that she had some concerns prior to the tour but after first site she had no concerns. The second site was run by City of Holyoke and was surrounded by industry on one side and homes on the other. The landscaping was not good. Overall, the site was as not as appealing as the Indian Orchard site. The committee discussed the farms and zoning regulations. Ginny noted that she was very impressed.
ADJOURNMENT
A motion to adjourn was raised by Ginny and seconded by Ray, the meeting stood adjourned at 8:05.
|