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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-12-21-SLC-min u 2022 22 Mair, &30 arn Sustainable Lexington Committee r G w CUM( Minutes of Meeting of December 21, 2021 L,EXING'T"ON M A meeting of the Sustainable Lexington Committee (SLC)was held by Zoom conference. A quorum of at least five was present throughout. Members Present: Cindy Arens, Celis Brisbin, Paul Chernick, Rick Reibstein, Todd Rhodes (vice-chair), Dan Voss (Chair), Charlie Wyman Members Absent: Archana Dayalu Staff Present: Martha Duffield Other Attendees: Joe Pato (Select Board), Mary Hutton (Mothers Out Front), Ricki Pappo (LexCAN), Jeanne Krieger, Tanay Dalmia, Michelle Wu, Marcia Gens, Alex Tsouvalas The meeting was called to order at 6:06 pm. Todd referenced the opening statement requested by the Town Clerk, and all members present responded that they could hear. Approval of minutes. The minutes of November 30 and December 14 were approved as written. Comments from residents; New business. None. Discuss Police Station status related to the Integrated Design and Construction Policy. Todd indicated that he had not heard from Jon Himmel regarding any specific questions the Permanent Building Committee has for Sustainable Lexington. Celis described the design's red list status, and explained that there were three places where items on the red list were proposed for use. In each case, alternatives were found and in two cases committed to, while the third (a vegetable oil polymer to replace an epoxy in the holding cells area) is being explored. It was suggested that we express the committee's appreciation to the PBC for their effort and our aspiration that the town will be able to say that the new police station is a red-list-free building. Regarding solar panels, Dan explained that there is both a small footprint planned on top of the building, and a plan to use canopies in the eastern part of the rear parking lot, elevated and possibly with gaps to let light through, for aesthetic reasons. Discussion followed about the committee's desire to include enough solar to make it a net-zero building. Topics included whether the solar should be integrated into the design and funding process or be an add-on that Town Meeting would take up separately; whether the town will own the system or contract it out; the process for Historic District Commission review of both the building and the solar; and inclusion of charging infrastructure in the parking lot design. After further discussion, the following motion was approved unanimously: Sustainable Lexington Committee Minutes of December 21, 2021 The Committee recommends that the PBC: 1. Build on the design that they presented to represent a 100%net zero project. 2. Include approval of the solar structure along with the building by the HDC, so that the site will be solar-ready. 3. Ensure that the planned building and parking area infrastructure (conduit, building systems) accommodate the full solar array—for 100%net zero design. 4. Present an appropriation request to Town Meeting that includes the budget for both the building and solar structure—as an integrated project. 5. Include charging stations as established in the general zoning bylaws (e.g., conduit for 50% of parking spaces, and 4% charging stations). SustainabLY update, including a summary of the Climate Youth Forum held on December 9th. Michele reported that the youth forum with high school students and MAPC staff went well, with common themes around how to engage the community and social media. Tanay added that there was discussion about the possibility of a community event to promote the climate action plan, which might be a shared event with multiple goals. Another meeting is not planned at this point but a mailing list exists. The committee discussed how to open itself to more observation and interaction with interested members of the high school community; students are welcome to attend any time, but a dedicated time on an agenda for student/committee dialogue might be useful. An opportune occasion is coming in January when some of Rick's students will be reporting on their research. Update on Community Choice Aggregation communication plans: articles, mailings, etc. Peregrine has proposed a three-part strategy: an ad in the Colonial Times, a postcard to customers of Eversource's basic service, and social media graphics encouraging enrollment. The Colonial Times has an ad deadline of January 12 and Peregrine staff are out of the picture until January 3. When they return, they will loop in the four members of the committee who offered to review their material (Paul, Rick, Cindy, Charlie). Ricki asked if the article can promote opting up to 100%New England service, since even that is cheaper than the new Eversource basic rate. Update on Article 10 Gas-Powered Leaf Blower(GLB) referendum. In Archana's absence, Charlie updated the committee on the referendum to overturn Town Meeting's approval of Article 10, which the committee endorsed. A ballot question committee has been formed to uphold the Town Meeting vote; Archana will chair, Dan Koretz will serve as vice-chair, and Charlie as treasurer. With the help of Lin Jensen, a website is being developed; the donation page is live and educational material is being developed. On Sunday the campaign held an open meeting advertised to all Town Meeting members who voted for the article, as well as other friends, to begin engaging volunteers in the many tasks ahead. The main challenge of the campaign is education: reaching voters with the message that the health impacts of gas-powered leaf blowers are significant and worthy of a Yes vote. 2. Sustainable Lexington Committee Minutes of December 21, 2021 Articles planned for Annual Town Meeting(Sprin _g 2022). Building Energy Use Disclosure (BEU-D): Todd reported that the team met last week and is asking the Select Board to put the article on the spring warrant. Sustainable Residential Incentives: Cindy explained that the Clean Heat Lexington Alliance is putting together a citizen's article that uses zoning incentives to steer new buildings towards high-efficiency, fossil-fuel-free homes. The proposal will lower the gross floor area limits for homes constructed in town, but then provide two levels of incentives that, if both achieved, would bring the GFA limits back up to the current standard. Details are still being developed, but likely the first tier will require a fossil-fuel-free building, and the second would have a more aggressive HERS rating. More detail to come. Comments from the committee were very supportive. Special Permit Residential Development. There is confusion as to whether the task force is bringing a proposal to the annual town meeting or not. Electric Vehicle Contracting. This article, which creates an exception for electric vehicles to the bylaw limiting town contracts to no more than five years, fell off the list for the fall town meeting and will be on the warrant for the spring. Staff update on Town activities and Sustainability Officer position. Martha reported that there has not yet been a hiring decision made for the Sustainability and Resilience Officer. She met with MAPC today as regards the Climate Action Plan; Lexington was awarded a planning grant that will cover most of the cost of the plan, and she is working with MAPC to define the project's scope and to draft an article for the spring town meeting to cover the rest of the project's cost. Open committee position—next steps. Dan reported that Alex has taken his name out of consideration, leaving two active candidates: Nina and Lin. Dan asked for some brainstorming of qualities sought. Suggestions included process skills (how well they perform as part of a committee, how they engage with others, willingness to do the work, respect for others), town connections (involved in other relevant activities in town and can help make connections and improve communications), and technical expertise. Energy they bring and ability to educate us. Sincere. Reverent. Brave. Areas of climate action plan not fully covered: water, food, to some extent transportation. Reflect town demographics. Joe explained that what the Select Board is looking for is the skill set we seek, and a recommendation. Todd and Dan will confer and provide input to the Select Board. Discussion about building projects in the Hartwell CM district that were initiated before Article 17 (Hybrid HVAC) was approved—outreach to developers. Approximately seven projects have been initiated in the Hartwell CM district before Article 17 passed Town Meeting; in some cases, developers just filed subdivision plans to freeze the zoning. Mark, Cindy, and others have done outreach to most, either for Article 17 or for BEU-D, 3. Sustainable Lexington Committee Minutes of December 21, 2021 and we reviewed these conversations individually. Many indicate a willingness to try to comply with Article 17 in any case. We know of at least one case where the Planning Department asked the developer to comply, and we think market pressure will push most or all of them in this direction. Dan noted that developers aren't blinking at Watertown's requirement for solar with every project, and asked if this is something we want to consider for the fall town meeting. There followed a lengthy discussion, mainly between Dan and Joe, about the difficulty of knowing when the Planning Board is acting on projects with sustainability issues. Regret was expressed that Planning doesn't do more to seek our input or alert us to opportunities for input. Update on EV School Bus Feasibilityproject. Todd reported that the bus bidding document was issued, and included a framework for adding 4-12 electric buses over the five years of the next contract. A mandatory bidders conference was held on the 7t or 8th. Only C&W, the current contractor,participated, meaning that there will be at most a single bidder. The state's ARPA(American Rescue Plan Act)funding plan,just enacted, includes $350,000 for Lexington to buy an electric school bus and install charging infrastructure. It's unclear how this will get incorporated into the next contract; it's possible the town could apply the funds instead to a lease arrangement, which would allow for additional electric buses to be put into service. Results of Regional Mobility Management Project. Todd explained that he had sent around information about the Regional Mobility Management Project mainly as an FYI. The project is looking at ways to facilitate public transportation between Lexington and surrounding communities, which tends to be focused either within Lexington (Lexpress) or on a radial line linking Boston, Cambridge, and Lexington. Experience elsewhere suggests success is most easily achieved by linking existing networks with better information and modest adjustments rather than building new ones. Interest was expressed in inviting Susan Barrett to a future meeting to explain the project further. Next Meeting: The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Sustainable Lexington Committee will be at 6 pm on January 25, 2022. The committee voted to adjourn at 8:53 pm. Respectfully submitted, Charlie Wyman 4. Sustainable Lexington Committee Minutes of December 21, 2021 Next Meeting. Adjourned 8:53 6:10 —6:30 Discuss Police Station status related to the Integrated Design and Construction Policy 5. Sustainable Lexington Committee Minutes of December 21, 2021 6:30 —6:40 SustainabLY update, including a summary of the Climate Youth Forum held on December 9th. 6:40 —7:00 Update on Community Choice Aggregation communication plans: articles, mailings, etc. 7:00 —7:05 Update on Article 10 Gas-Powered Leaf Blower(GLB) referendum 7:05 —7:30 Articles planned for Annual Town Meeting (Spring 2022) • Building Energy Use Disclosure (BEU-D) • Sustainable Residential Incentives • Special Permit Residential Development • Electric Vehicle Contracting • Others 7:30 —7:45 Staff update on Town activities and Sustainability Officer position • Update on hiring of the Sustainability and Resilience Officer 7:45 —7:55 Open committee position—next steps 7:55 — 8:10 Discussion about building projects in the Hartwell CM district that were initiated before Article 17 (Hybrid HVAC)was approved—outreach to developers. 8:10 — 8:15 Update on EV School Bus Feasibility project 8:15 — 8:20 Results of Regional Mobility Management Project 6. Sustainable Lexington Committee Minutes of December 21, 2021 Introductory statements were made by Alex, Nina, and Lin, all candidates for the open seat on the committee. Cindy noted that the Special Permit Residential Development Committee will be bringing a proposal to Town Meeting, and asked that it be added to the next meeting agenda. Community Choice Aggregation update. Paul Gromer explained that Eversource winter rates will be much higher than the town price, creating an opportunity to persuade residents still on Eversource basic service to switch to Community Choice. Marlana Patton described the options: tax bill insert, an ad in the Colonial Times and/or Lexington Minuteman, and targeted mailing to those still on basic service (about 1,500). We don't has addresses to send letters to those with competitor suppliers. Mark suggested that we seek to place a news story as well as an ad in any print media. The committee discussed a range of topics: what's the best timing; commercial also should be included, need for simplicity, Town logo to build trust; what about an opt-up? We will need a decision in early December to hit an early January deadline. Dan asked if Paul Gromer and Marlana could take a first cut, and Paul Chernick, Cindy, Rick, and Charlie agreed to review ad copy and work on a story. Staff update on Town activities and Sustainability Officer position. Todd circulated a spreadsheet of Stella's projects, and the committee agreed what was most important is to make sure we're not losing anything on that list. Concern was expressed that any grant applications or requirements not be missed during the position's vacancy. It was noted that the spreadsheet is Stella's list, not a complete reflection of the responsibilities of the position. The question of the position of Sustainability Director being downgraded in title and salary was discussed at length; any action was put off until later in the meeting. Martha described that what was posted (Sustainability and Resilience Officer) was intended to be in line with other Officers in the Town Manager's office. Tomorrow is round 2 of the interviews. Update on discussions with Homeworks re: Home Energy Assessments and Heat Pumps. Ricki reported that in a meeting with a Homeworks representative it became clear that their staff had been telling homeowners during assessments that heat pumps alone are insufficient in New England's climate. The Homeworks rep was very responsive and explained that they have done a training with all of their people and have changed their message. Ricki noted the need for feedback on whether Homeworks is following through, and raised the possibility of a mailing to all the people they've met with. It was suggested that we wait to hear about the substantially increased rebates for heat pumps that are likely to be offered next year ($1 OK per home if sized to heating load). 7. Sustainable Lexington Committee Minutes of December 21, 2021 SustainabLY update, including status of the Climate Youth Forum planned for December 9th. Tanay reported that Dr King at the high school is one of those organizing the forum. Fifteen people have been invited, including Michelle Ciccolo. The committee was asked if we have anything we'd like to see brought up, and some discussion followed. Results of special town meeting. Congratulations were extended to Archana and Cindy on the successes of Articles 10 and 17. Jeanne and Mary both cautioned that a lot of work will be needed on the Article 10 referendum to educate the electorate, and emphasized the importance of getting out the vote. Rick noted his upcoming webinar on lessons from other jurisdictions, which suggest success hinges on extensive outreach and education. Procurement policy. There was some confusion on the status of the procurement policy. Mark noted that Stella had been saying it was pretty much done, she had taken feedback from the committee, run it by Liz Mancini, but had not made the progress she hoped with School Department. It's not clear the school department has looked at it yet. Where does it stand on the Town side? Martha will inquire as to where it stands, and whether Liz is willing to present it to the Select Board. Open committee position. We agreed that interested members will talk with candidates, answer their questions, and provide feedback. Update on BEU-D. The group working on the article has started outreach to businesses and commercial property owners,private schools, churches, and residential complexes. We need to get on a Select Board agenda to ask that the article be included in the warrant. It's been decided that some funding will be needed to administer the program, not a lot but some is needed to monitor ownership, collect data, and report it out. Private firms are available to do this,probably in the $50-100K range to get the program started. The committee agreed to hold a special meeting on the 14th in case it comes before the Select Board as early as the 20th. Update on EV school bus feasibility-project: Todd reported that language was added to the school bus bidding documents. The bidders conference is scheduled for Dec 10, with potential for funding from state recovery act funds. Sustainability Officer position. The committee returned to the issue of the downgrading of the title and salary of this position and debated how best to communicate its concerns. Rick proposed language, and after debate and collective wordsmithing, the committee voted unanimously to send the following to the Select Board and Town Manager: We are moved to write at this moment when the hiring of a replacement for the Sustainability Director is in process. We thank the Select Board for prioritizing sustainability as one of the top town goals. We are confident that the hiring process will result in a fully qualified candidate, but at this critical juncture we urge the hiring of 8. Sustainable Lexington Committee Minutes of December 21, 2021 someone who can lead and hit the ground running with the necessary experience to implement sustainability initiatives of every practicable kind. The world is facing a climate emergency and top-level support for concerted action is necessary. We strongly urge the consideration of accelerating progress in implementing every aspect of the Town's Sustainable Action Plan. The town will reap many benefits from full investment in this effort. We look forward to working with the next sustainability officer. Next Meeting: Sustainable Lexington will meet for a short, special meeting on December 14, 2021 at 6 pm to review the BEU-D warrant article language. The next regularly scheduled meeting of the committee will be at 6 pm on December 21. The committee voted to adjourn at 9:17 pm. Respectfully submitted, Charlie Wyman 9.