2021-08-24-SLC-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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Sustainable Lexington Committee Minutes of August 24, 2021 • Stella is beginning work on the Climate Action Plan supported by MAPC and is assembling a working group and planning communication with stakeholders. Stella would welcome a representative from Sustainable Lexington. • The Town is purchasing a Mustang Mach-E for the Town Manager's vehicle • New charging stations are going online for municipal employees and public access • The next step for the Fleet Electrification Policy, now approved by the Select Board, is to bring it to the School Committee. • Black Earth has been chosen as the preferred vendor for curbside compost pick-up, which allows the town to promote them to residents. Cindy noted that she introduced a 7 I grade science teacher in Belmont, who is asking that food waste reduction be added to the state's school curriculum, to Michelle Ciccolo, co-chair of the Zero Waste Caucus. In response to a question from Mark, Stella confirmed that two electric cars,probably Bolts, are being acquired for the assessors, and we may have as many as 6 EVs by next year. Review Community Solar(Sunwealth) letter for aproval. Stella presented a draft letter to be sent by the town to income-eligible residents to invite them to a program about community solar and the opportunity to sign up with Sunwealth. Celis expressed concern about co-branding with Sustainable Lexington's name without having an opportunity to review the contract, where a number of details can influence the costs and benefits to residents. Rick would prefer a program providing general education about community solar and what to look for in a contract, with a comparison of community solar offers. Joe explained that the Select Board is looking to Sustainable Lexington to provide recommendations on this kind of opportunity, but it is the Select Board's responsibility to decide whether to enter into a relationship with individual companies. After further discussion, it was voted (unanimously)to approve the letter and send it to the Select Board for further consideration. Update on BEUDO warrant article activities, including performance objectives for Town buildings. Approve message to update the Select Board. Todd explained that a small group (Cindy, Dan, Todd, Ricki, Mary, Mark, Jeanne, Stella) has been meeting to scope out a Building Energy Use Disclosure Ordinance and wants to let the Select Board know that an article may be coming for the spring town meeting. Dan explained that as part of the effort, they are advancing a performance policy for municipal buildings, to continue our practice of the Town leading by example. The committee voted unanimously to forward the letter to the Select Board. Update on Article 45/Hybrid HVAC working group activities. Cindy explained that their working group is continuing to discuss how to move something on hybrid systems forward if Article 45 HIP isn't coming back. Details (performance requirements, enforcement mechanisms) need to be addressed. Charles Hornig requested a placeholder for the fall town meeting on fossil fuels, but there's no clarity on what it might entail. A BEUDO will be useful but not a substitute for regulation, which is needed as a bridge to a state net-zero energy code given the intensity of 2.