Clean Energy Task Force Regular Meeting January 6, 2014 - APPROVED
CLEAN ENERGY TASK FORCE MINUTES
January 6, 2014
REGULAR MEETING
The meeting was called to order at 6:40 p.m. by Commissioner Van Kleef in Room 103 of Simsbury Town Hall, with the following members present: Jim Ray, Melissa Valentin, and Susan Van Kleef.
1. REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM MEETING ON DECEMBER 4th, 2013:
The draft minutes from the December 4th meeting were reviewed by all. Commissioner Valentin made a motion to approve the minutes as written. Commissioner Ray seconded the motion. All voted in favor.
2. PUBLIC AUDIENCE:
Commissioner Van Kleef opened the floor for public audience.
Ms. Claudia Szerakowski was present and Commissioner Van Kleef indicated she was still working with Mr. Al Needham to get her nomination as a member finalized. It was discussed that it would be good to have this done at the same Board of Selectman meeting when the rest of the members are re-appointed. Commissioner Ray indicated he would follow-up to get the date when that would be done.
Mr. Mark Scully was present and indicated that with the change in the meeting days to Monday, he would now be able to attend regularly. A discussion was held as to what procedure would be needed to nominate him as a new member. Commissioner Van Kleef indicated that in discussion with Ms. Carolyn Keily, Simsbury Town Clerk, there was not a need to maintain an equal number from each party as long as each party is represented. Mr. Scully indicated that he is a registered Democrat and as such would need to be nominated by that party. Commissioner Van Kleef indicated she was not sure if CETF had only been approved for six members, but would determine that first and if there needed to be an approval by the BOS for an increase to allow his nomination. Mr. Scully will send his resume to Commissioner Van Kleef in preparation of pursuing becoming a member.
No additional topics were discussed and Commissioner Van Kleef closed the Public Audience.
3. REVIEW of COMMENTS on SIMSBURY ENERGY PLAN:
No further comments had been received against the Simsbury Energy Plan. Any comments will need to be provided to Mr. Tom Roy prior to the presentation to the Board of Selectman. Mr. Roy plans to present this plan at the same meeting when the new CEFIA Municipal Pledge is presented. This agenda item will be carried over to the next meeting to address any comments.
4. BOB BEINSTEIN – UPDATE of MEETING with SIMSBURY BOE:
Since Commissioner Beinstein was not present and no one was aware of the status, Commissioner Van Kleef tabled this discussion until the next meeting.
5. 2014 PLANNING DISCUSSION:
It was recognized that CETF will need to discuss in more depth what its plans are for this year. In preparation, Commissioner Ray will send out the last status of the Green Business Challenge criteria as it already recognized that it will need to be revised to include the revised State criteria. An actual start would still consider using summer interns as a means to address the manpower needs to successfully handle the business visits and reviews. Also it was recognized that an educational initiative will need to be planned which may include the ‘Year of Contests’ that had been started last year. The Simsbury High School Environmental Club will be invited to participate. This topic will be added to the next meeting’s agenda to allow full time to address it.
6. OPEN FORUM:
Mr. Mike Paine, Board of Selectman, has been appointed as the new CETF liaison. Commissioner Ray will send him the list of the CETF meeting dates and invite him to come to one of the future meetings.
7. NEXT MEETING
The next scheduled meeting is February 3rd.
8. ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Ray motioned to adjourn the meeting at approximately 7:35 p.m. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Valentin and unanimously approved.