Clean Energy Task Force Regular Meeting May 5, 2014-Approved

CLEAN ENERGY TASK FORCE MINUTES
May 5, 2014
REGULAR MEETING

The meeting was called to order at 6:40 p.m. by Commissioner Scully in Room 103 of Simsbury Town Hall, with the following members present: Mark Scully, Jim Ray, Claudia Szerakowski and Bob Beinstein.

1. REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM MEETING ON APRIL 7th, 2014:
The draft minutes from the April 7th meeting were reviewed by all. Commissioner Beinstein made a motion to approve the minutes with noted changes. Commissioner Szerakowski seconded the motion. All voted in favor.

2. PUBLIC AUDIENCE:
Commissioner Scully opened the floor for public audience. No comments were entered into the public record and the forum was closed.

3. UPDATE of MEETING/PROGRESS with SIMSBURY BOE:
Following the initial meeting with Mr. Burke LaClair, the Simsbury Board of Education Business Manager, Mr. Tom Roy, Simsbury Public Works Director has continued to discuss with him 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, no agreement for support by the Simsbury BOE has been made. Mr. Roy indicated he would continue to discuss and provide them any further information needed to get their support.

4. SOLARIZE CONNECTICUT DISCUSSION:
With the initial Solar Ambassadors meeting completed along with the very successful kick-off session held at Eno Hall, Commissioner Scully indicated the next scheduled event will be a solar workshop held at the Library on May 27th. Future events will include a Solar Financial Workshop tentatively planned for July and a solar house tour some time later on. Commissioner Ray asked about the effort that Ms. Cindie Cagenello had done in support of the publicity for the kick-off session as CETF had agreed to pay her for her efforts. Commissioner Scully indicated he did not have that information, but would get it so we could reimburse her accordingly. A general discussion about other activities was held with possibilities for a live install event when C-TEC does the first installation, and CETF participation in Simsbury public events. It was indicated that a link to the Solarize Simsbury webpage on the Solarize CT website should be linked to the Simsbury Town website, Simsbury Community TV should be contacted to televise events as well as do Public Service Announcements. It was indicated that C-TEC had a film that may be used for SCTV. Other displays and other publicity were discussed with the indication that as sign-ups occur they can be displayed on the large ‘thermometer type’ display at Town Hall as well as included in news releases. Solar Ambassador’s write-ups of their personal experiences can also be used. Further plans and publicity details will be addressed at the next meeting.

5. 2014 PLANS DISCUSSION:
- Green Business Challenge – Commissioner Szerakowski is continuing to work up 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 update and send it out for review prior to discussion at the next meeting. With the previously approved funds for a summer intern, Commissioner Beinstein will follow up with Mr. Tom Roy as to the procedures for someone to be hired by him for this role. It was agreed that once an intern is on board, they also would be able to help with the building energy data needed for the Community Pledge and also possibly with the Solarize effort.

- Support of School Initiatives – Information was sent to the Simsbury High School Environmental Club representatives indicating that CETF would support their efforts financially for their idea of reusable lunch boxes. A proposal from them had been requested, but it was too late in the year for any effort. This will be brought up again for consideration in the Fall.

6. OPEN FORUM:
Commissioner Scully indicated that the request for any nominees from Simsbury for the Aquarion Environmental Champion Award. After discussing possibilities, it was agreed that Flamig Farm represented the best candidate for the

criteria stated. Commissioner Scully will contact Mr. Nevin Christensen of Flamig Farm to get information and Commissioner Beinstein volunteered to work the write-up for the nomination.

Commissioner Scully also indicated that he has been in contact with Mr. Rod Wedeking of Clean Energy Collective in regard to Shared Solar. Although the Shared Solar legislation did not pass in the latest Connecticut session, it will continue to be pursued in later sessions. Mr. Wedeking has offered to come to Simsbury to discuss the overall Shared Solar topic and what has been enacted in other States. It was agreed that CETF is agreeable to meet with Mr. Wedeking, and will set up a Special meeting when a date can be agreed. Commissioner Scully will pursue and will update the CETF at the next meeting.

7. NEXT MEETING
The next scheduled meeting is June 2nd.

8. ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Beinstein motioned to adjourn the meeting at approximately 7:50 p.m. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Szerakowski and unanimously approved.