Clean Energy Task Force Regular Meeting June 2, 2014-Approved

CLEAN ENERGY TASK FORCE MINUTES
June 2, 2014
REGULAR MEETING

The meeting was called to order at 6:40 p.m. by Commissioner Beinstein in the Engineering Conference Room of Simsbury Town Hall, with the following members present: Mark Scully, Jim Ray, Claudia Szerakowski, Susan Van Kleef and Bob Beinstein.

1. REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM MEETING ON MAY 5th, 2014:

The draft minutes from the May 5th meeting were reviewed by all. Commissioner Scully 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. No comments were entered into the public record and the forum was closed.

3. UPDATE of PROGRESS with SIMSBURY BOE to SUPPORT COMMUNITY PLEDGE:

Mr. Tom Roy, Simsbury Public Works Director has continued to discuss with Mr. Burke LaClair, Business Manager for the Simsbury Schools and Mr. Matt Curtis, Superintendent of Simsbury Schools, in order to gain their support for the new State of Connecticut Community Energy Pledge. As of this meeting, he still has not been able to get an agreement for support by the Simsbury BOE. Since CETF had previously sent a letter to the BOE requesting that an audience at a future Board meeting, it was agreed that CETF will also pursue this. Commissioner Scully and Commissioner Beinstein indicated they both know members of the Board and they will contact them to discuss. Commissioner Van Kleef will send the original letter to Commissioner Scully as this was done prior to his CETF membership.

4. SOLARIZE SIMSBURY DISCUSSION/PLANNING:

Commissioner Beinstein indicated that the intern, Conor Lyman, will be starting soon and one part of his role will be in support of the Simsbury Solarize campaign. In addition, he will be helping out with the Green Business Challenge and some other items related to the energy usage data analysis for the town. CETF had previously approved the use of an intern for these purposes to be paid $10 per hour with a total not to exceed $3,000. Commissioner Beinstein will put together more specific details of the scope of his tasks. He will be hired through Mr. Tom Roy and will be working at Town Hall or other Town locations during this summer work period.

Commissioner Scully gave an overview of the current status of the Simsbury Solarize campaign. Details included 278 leads, 179 site surveys set up with 131 already completed and 7 contracts in place for 54.38 kw of solar photovoltaic systems. A solar workshop was held at the Library on May 27th and a solar financial workshop is being planned for later in June or in July. Other highlights include a solar house tour and a live solar installation by C-TEC. Early discussion has been held with Mr. Nevin Christiansen in regard to holding a Solar Festival at Flamig Farm in August. A general discussion was held in regard to potential events where flyers or other media could be used as part of the promotion. Likewise methods of publicity and the best means to get these publicized was discussed. These both will be further discussed at the Solarize Simsbury Ambassador's meeting set to be held at the C-TEC offices on June 9th.

5. GREEN BUSINESS CHALLENGE REVIEW/DISCUSSION:

Commissioner Szerakowski revised the criteria for the Green Business Challenge to both reflect the change with the State’s emphasis on efficiency as well as the Clean Energy Options and to tailor it for the first limited roll out for restaurants in Simsbury. Commissioner Szerakowski will put the current update out for review via Google documents and requests that all comments be made to it by June 16th.

6. SUPPORT of SCHOOL INITIATIVES in FALL DISCUSSION: It was determined that no progress can be made on this topic until the start of the new school year in the Fall. Contact with the school via Mr. Bob Avery will be made at that time to see if the Environmental Club or other organization wishes to pursue energy related initiatives.

7. OPEN FORUM:

Commissioner Scully indicated that he has arranged with Mr. Ron Wedeking of Clean Energy Collective to come on the 23rd of June. As such, a special CETF meeting will be called for that date. It was also determined that this will be a good time to finalize the Green Business criteria. Commissioner Ray will coordinate setting up the Special Meeting accordingly.

Commissioner Szerakowski advised that there is a Recycling Seminar set up for June 30th at Eno Hall. She will send out details of this via e-mail when received.

8. NEXT MEETING

The next regularly scheduled meeting is July 7th. As noted in the discussion, a called special meeting will be held on June 23rd.

9. ADJOURNMENT

Commissioner Van Kleef motioned to adjourn the meeting at approximately 7:55 p.m. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Scully and unanimously approved.