2022-10-25-SLC-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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Sustainable Lexington Committee Minutes of October 25, 2022 •Town heat pump promotion program with Abode. Eight volunteer energy advisers have been selected and will start the eight-hour training program next week; they will then be available to advise residents on how to transition to heat pumps. The program will formally launch in early December. In response to a question from Todd about outreach, Maggie explained that they have been planning more general announcements but will also look at a more targeted approach. •Special Town Meeting Warrant Article 13 - Technical updates to the Fossil-Fuel Free General Bylaw.; The amendments will come before the Fall Town Meeting to bring the by-law into line with language in the state climate bill to streamline the process of being accepted as one of ten communities in the demonstration program. Details were reviewed at the last meeting. •MEPA. Maggie reported that she has shared Cindy’s summary document about MEPA jurisdiction over major new developments (and MEPA’s willingness to press for hybrid energy systems) with key town staff in departments overseeing development (Planning, Building, etc.). •Existing Building Performance Operations Policy. Maggie reported that she has been working on a set of metrics for pest management and landscaping with input from Rick, Charlie, and Nancy Sofen, and will be meeting with Mike Cronin next week. There was follow-up discussion about indoor air quality and whether the town has sufficient monitoring systems in place or should seek additional funding (which might come from ARPA funds). The Select Board has asked for more information to better understand the adequacy of existing systems. Discussion of noise bylaw and enforcement of the leaf blower rules. Rick explained that current enforcement responsibility is with the police, which doesn’t work well. Washington, D.C. accepts citizens’ affidavits, and repeated complaints are followed up. We need a better system in Lexington, which then needs to be communicated to residents. Maggie reported that Rep. Ciccolo has secured $75,000 to help landscapers transition to electric equipment, which will need to be used within a year or so. Joe noted that the bylaw holds both the landscaper and the property owner responsible, comparable to similar activities like snowplows leaving snow in the street. All members of the Noise Advisory Committee have resigned, so that committee is not in a position to take a lead on this. Celis noted that almost all landscapers pass through Hartwell and that Dan on the staff there is doing a very good job of getting the word out, and that Maggie might want to connect with him. Assessment of the Town's solar potential and discussion of approaches to promote solar development without impacting trees and natural areas. Dan explained that in trying to assess the potential for solar on town-owned land across town, he started with buildings, parking lots and other impervious surfaces. A rough estimate is that there is the potential for an additional 9-10 MW of generating potential in town without touching open space (on top of the 5+/-MW now in .3