CLEAN ENERGY TASK FORCE MINUTES
February 1, 2009
SPECIAL MEETING
The meeting was called to order at 6:45 p.m. by Chairman Boeshans in Room 103 of Simsbury Town Hall, with the following members present: Patrick Boeshans, Jim Ray, Susan Van Kleef, and Al Weisbrich. Deputy First Selectman John Hampton and Town Engineer Rich Sawitzke were also present.
1. APPROVE THE REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
The draft minutes from the January 4th meeting were reviewed by all and Commissioner Weisbrich made a motion to approve the minutes as written. Commissioner Ray seconded the motion. All voted in favor.
2. PUBLIC AUDIENCE
Chairman Boeshans opened up the floor for public audience. Town Engineer Sawitzke followed up with the task force regarding the status of the grant submission for a regional energy manager. The grant had been completed and submitted. He also briefly discussed the exterior LED lighting initiative, and the pending grant that would provide the funding.
Deputy First Selectman Hampton expressed interest in the task force considering and planning a green energy and building expo. The task force agreed to add this to the 2010 actionable item list for further discussion. Selectman Hampton also requested a written description of the proposed Simsbury Green Commission, an expanded town committee, which the board is considering, that would pull together all sustainable and environmental committees and initiatives. A draft will be completed, reviewed and forwarded to the town. Selectman Hampton also provided the date for the upcoming Volunteer Expo, April 28, 2010, which the task force has previously attended.
3. REVIEW OF ACTIONABLE ITEMS
Commissioner Van Kleef updated the group on her progress in sourcing the clean energy teaching kits to accompany the proposed fifth grade curriculum addition. Several suppliers have been identified, with Pittsco offering the most complete selection. Pricing will be compared and discussed in a future meeting. Commissioner Van Kleef also updated the task force on ongoing web site updates and pending questions regarding the Simsbury Green Business Certification’s promotional web needs.
Commissioner Ray provided details regarding his upcoming presentation to the Simsbury Rotary Club. Sign-up flyers and hand-outs will be distributed in addition to a clean energy power point presentation. Commissioner Ray also confirmed that Roger Smith, the organizer of a recent clean energy workshop would be on hand at the next scheduled meeting to speak to the task force. Commissioner Ray has also been coordinating a high school clean energy options sign-up competition between Simsbury and Avon. He has connected the high schools, and confirmed a prize through Sterling Energy. The designated school contacts have agreed to further planning and discussions after winter break.
Chairman Boeshans updated the committee on the activity from Simsbury High School students. The following Students have generously offered their assistance with ongoing task force projects: Natalie Valentin, Chelsea Gemme, Ari Kapiloff, Lauren Stumper, Becky Brown, Spencer Schloss, Sarah Tyrell and Joshua Ilutiza.
Chairman Boeshans will also be following up on several items in the next few months including contacting the local Chamber of Commerce, the Main Street Association regarding the Green Business Certification.
Commissioner Weisbrich prepared and provided the task force with written examples in support of the Green Business Certification checklist. It had previously been requested that additional detail be added as a resource for businesses to better understand the criteria for certification.
4. IDENTIFICATION OF NEW ACTIONABLE ITEMS
In addition to the actionable items discussed above, the Commission agreed to a non-exclusive alignment with a clean energy provider to provide the town with monetary compensation for each clean energy options sign-up that is received. Additional details will be discussed as they become available.
In support of the clean energy options program a direct mail campaign was discussed as a tax bill rider or as a companion mailer to the senior news letter and town listserve database. More investigation is necessary.
Commissioner Weisbrich expressed concerns over excessive vehicle idling pre and post school bus drop-off and pick-uptimes, in our community. It has been added to the list of actionable items for further discussion.
5. OPEN FORUM
Commissioner Van Kleef indicated that she would be attending the Farmington Valley Watershed Winter Country Fair on Feb 21st.
Selectman Hampton forwarded information to the task force, which he received regarding Green Cone Food Waste Digesters (Composters), available through Signature Marketing.
6. NEXT MEETING/FUTURE MEETINGS CALENDER
The next scheduled meeting in Monday, February 22, 2010.
7. ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Ray motioned to adjourn the meeting at approximately 8:46 p.m. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Weisbrich and unanimously approved.
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