Clean Energy Task Force Regular Meeting October 6, 2014
CLEAN ENERGY TASK FORCE MINUTES
October 6, 2014
REGULAR MEETING
The meeting was called to order at 6:55 p.m. by Commissioner Szerakowski in the Engineering Conference Room of Simsbury Town Hall, with the following members present: Mark Scully, Jim Ray, Claudia Szerakowski and Susan Van Kleef.
1. REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM MEETING ON JUNE 2nd, 2014:
The draft minutes from the June 2nd meeting were reviewed by all. Commissioner Szerakowski made a motion to approve the minutes with one correction. Commissioner Van Kleef seconded the motion. All voted in favor.
2. PUBLIC AUDIENCE:
Commissioner Szerakowski opened the floor for public audience. Mr. Tom Roy, Simsbury Public Works Director, provided an update on the progress 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. Mr. Roy indicated that a general agreement has been reached and it should be able to be finalized to be able to present to the Simsbury Board of Selectman later this month. Mr. Roy indicated that the Town is still pursuing other energy related initiatives including a municipal shared solar installation (State allows up to five metered locations to be under this plan), an electric vehicle charging station, a solar installation at the Community Farm and expansion of Connecticut Natural Gas pipeline system within Simsbury. These are all in the early stages, so none are givens at this point of time. Mr. Roy will advise CETF of the progress as it continues. Commissioner Scully questioned the new residential developments being planned in Town in regard to energy efficiency standards. Mr. Roy indicated that current building code requirements already provided for increased energy standards, but if CETF wishes to pursue discussion on these, it can be arranged with the other related Town Boards.
3. UPDATE of PROGRESS with SIMSBURY BOE to SUPPORT COMMUNITY PLEDGE:
Update provided by Mr. Roy during the Public Audience.
4. SOLARIZE SIMSBURY Wrap-Up:
Commissioner Scully indicated that we had great success with the Solarize program with 80 sign-ups for Simsbury. Mr. Roy will be presenting the results at the next Simsbury Board of Selectman meeting on October 15th. In discussion, it was decided to do a group picture inviting all those involved along with the BOS invited prior to the meeting. It was set to be done in front of the Simsbury Solarize 'thermometer' in front of Town Hall at 6:00 p.m. with a pizza social following in the Engineering Conference Room. All the CETF members were invited to attend the BOS meeting.
5. GREEN BUSINESS CHALLENGE REVIEW/DISCUSSION:
Commissioner Szerakowski provided an updated copy of the Green Business Challenge Point System for review. In a general discussion, it was indicated that CETF had moved away from the terminology 'certified' and had revised the decals accordingly. Commissioner Van Kleef will provide the revised decal design that incorporated this change. With so many changes in the State's energy program since the criteria had been initially developed, a review of those programs should be done to be sure the criteria is in sync with the current programs. The time period for implementation is still planned to be next summer when we can again utilize an intern to help make the direct contacts. For publicity, it was discussed about using either the Simsbury Town website or by linking from it to a separate site set up for this. A list of businesses interested had been obtained from a prior Septemberfest and discussion had also been held with the Simsbury Chamber of Commerce at that time, but due to the time lapse, new contacts will need to be made. For publicity, Ms. Stephanie Riefe is helping with publicity with the Town and is a good source to contact. For recognition, it is planned to use a certificate as that can easily incorporate the decal design and be displayed in a window, on a wall or on a counter with the location being selected by the business. Commissioner Szerakowski will update the criteria and prepare additional information for discussion at the next meeting.
6. SUPPORT of SCHOOL INITIATIVES in FALL DISCUSSION: Commissioner Szerakowski indicated that her brother is in the Simsbury High School Engineering Club and she will discuss with him about any potential initiatives that they may be interested in pursuing.
7. OPEN FORUM:
No additional topics were discussed.
8. NEXT MEETING
The next regularly scheduled meeting is November 3rd.
9. ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Scully motioned to adjourn the meeting at approximately 8:30 p.m. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Szerakowski and unanimously approved.