Clean Energy Task Force Regular Meeting February 3, 2014-Approved
CLEAN ENERGY TASK FORCE MINUTES
February 3, 2014
REGULAR MEETING
The meeting was called to order at 6:40 p.m. by Commissioner Beinstein in Room 103 of Simsbury Town Hall, with the following members present: Jim Ray, Melissa Valentin, Bob Beinstein, Claudia Szerakowski and Susan Van Kleef. This was the first official meeting since Commissioner Szerakowski had been appointed by the Board of Selectman so everyone welcomed her to the CETF.
1. REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM MEETING ON JANUARY 6th, 2014:
The draft minutes from the January 6th meeting were reviewed by all. Commissioner Valentin made a motion to approve the minutes as written. Commissioner Szerakowski seconded the motion. All voted in favor.
2. PUBLIC AUDIENCE:
Commissioner Beinstein opened the floor for public audience.
Ms. Susan Andrus Olson indicated that she heard Simsbury was applying for Solarize CT and was interested in the status as well as what CETF does. Ms. Olson indicated that she had both a solar hot water and a solar photovoltaic installation on her residence and has participated in the Property-Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing program. It was explained to her that the Board of Selectman had approved the plan to submit a proposal to the current Phase IV Request for Proposal at their January 27th meeting and the proposal was just sent in today. Mr. Tom Roy, Director of Public Works, indicated that it was a very solid proposal and it is hoped that Simsbury will be selected. If so, there will be efforts for publicity including a solar home tour and the need for Solar Ambassadors (those who already have solar installations and are supporters) so Ms. Olson was asked would she consider to participate in that role and she agreed. It was further explained by all the members of the other efforts that have been done by CETF and those planned in the future including promotion of the Clean Energy Options program, the Energy Efficiency program including the Home Energy Audits, a continuing support/funding of educational initiatives within the Simsbury schools and a future Green Business Challenge program for Simsbury businesses. It was indicated that CETF is currently working to get a new Clean Energy Community Pledge which when approved will enable Simsbury to get 7kW of solar panels which are based on the current points earned by the town for Clean Energy Options and Home Energy Audits that have been done. CETF plans to use the solar panels for demonstration/educational efforts with an installation on the high school and one for the Community Farm. We also will get our First Bright Ideas grant of $10,000 that also is based on points already earned which will enable other energy related projects to be funded in Simsbury.
Ms. Ieke Scully was present and indicated she was just interested in listening to the discussions and nothing specific. Her husband, Mr. Mark Scully is taking a lead role in the Solarize CT proposal and will continue if Simsbury is chosen to help execute the program. So Ms. Scully was also sitting in for him as he was unable to attend.
Mr. Tom Roy, Director of Public Works, elaborated further on the Simsbury Solarize Connecticut proposal indicating that he had received acknowledgement of receipt and indication that the State should make an announcement within a short period – possibly this week. Mr. Roy thanked CETF for their efforts in getting the proposal together along with the initial Solar Ambassadors, Mr. Mark Scully, Ms. Ieke Scully, and Mr. Brad Mead. Mr. Roy inquired on whether a date had been set yet to meet with Mr. Burke LaClair, Simsbury Board of Education Business Manager in regard to the new CEFIA Municipal Pledge. Commissioner Beinstein indicated that he had not yet as he needed to coordinate dates when he and Mr. Roy would be available. After some discussion, it was determined that Friday, February 21st would be a good date and Commissioner Beinstein will contact Mr. LaClair to set up a time for that date. Mr. Roy indicated that the Simsbury Energy Plan was predicated on the actions associated with the new pledge so he needed that in place to be able to present it to the Board of Selectman.
No additional topics were discussed and Commissioner Beinstein closed the Public Audience.
3. REVIEW of COMMENTS on SIMSBURY ENERGY PLAN:
No further comments had been received against the Simsbury Energy Plan and the need for the new CEFIA Community Pledge had been discussed in the Public Audience section.
4. BOB BEINSTEIN – UPDATE of MEETING with SIMSBURY BOE:
Agreement for a date to propose to Mr. LaClair was discussed in the Public Audience section.
5. SOLARIZE CONNECTICUT PROPOSAL DISCUSSION:
A general discussion had already been addressed in the Public Audience section. Commissioner Ray indicated that Mr. Mark Scully had provided a write-up that could be used for publicizing the submittal of the proposal. A motion was made by Commissioner Szerakowski to use the write-up as a basis for putting an article on the Simsbury Patch. Commissioner Valentin seconded the motion and all voted in favor. Commissioner Valentin indicated she would put the announcement on the Patch.
6. 2014 PLANNING DISCUSSION:
As a follow-up from the last meeting, the Green Business Challenge program was discussed further. It was agreed that CETF will update the criteria and set up the contacts again with organizations like Main Street Partnership, Rotary Club and the Chamber of Commerce. For the actual reviews with businesses as to their efforts, CETF will look to using interns (funded through CETF but hired by Mr. Roy) to do the visits. Commissioner Valentin indicated that she had experience with a promotional firm and would contact them to get information for discussion at the next meeting. It was agreed that a written process of how this will be handled from promotion to reviewing the results and Commissioner Valentin volunteered to put together a draft process for that for review by all members. Commissioner Beinstein volunteered to review the prior criteria and provide updates to reflect the current industry efforts as well as incorporating the State’s efficiency program elements. No direct educational program will be done this year as hopefully the Solarize CT as well as the Green Business Challenge will take up CETF’s time. It was indicated that the Simsbury High School Environmental Club had discussed an environmental design contest related to reusable lunch boxes which CETF would support financially. Commissioner Valentin will contact the leaders of the Environmental Club to advise them of CETF’s support.
7. OPEN FORUM:
No further discussions were held.
8. NEXT MEETING
The next scheduled meeting is March 3rd.
9. ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Szerakowski motioned to adjourn the meeting at approximately 7:55 p.m. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Van Kleef and unanimously approved.