HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-01-09-ECC2-min
MEETING MINUTES
Board/Committee Name:
Energy Conservation Committee.
Date, Time, Location of Meeting
: January 9, 2008 at 6 PM. Robbins Rm in Cary Building
Members Present:
Christopher Haines, Chair
Steve Kropper, Secretary
Alessandro Alessandrini, Town Meeting member
Hank Manz, Selectman
Bill Hadley, DPW Chief
Pat Goddard, Lexington Public Facilities Director
Keith Ohmart, Global Warming Action Coalition
Tom Griffiths, School Committee
Roger Borghesani
Members Absent:
Shawn Newell, Assistant Director Public Facilities
Myla Kabat-Zinn, Lighting Guru
Paul Chernick (en route from train)
Ravi Sakhuja, School Department
Record of Votes.
Meeting opened
Unanimous vote in support of GWAC Resolution for Town Meeting
Meeting closed.
Opened meeting at 6:00 PM on Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Meeting Minutes
Keith Ohmart reported to ECC on GWAC proposal for a Town Meeting resolution asking for
Warrant language follows….
action on climate change by various public officials.
Resolution asking that the Town request that the President of the United States, Congress, and
the Commonwealth of Massachusetts take effective actions to address Climate Change:
To see if the Town will vote to adopt a resolution requesting that the President of the United
States, the Congress of the United States, and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts take effective
actions to address the issue of climate change which is increasingly harmful to the environment
and the economy of Massachusetts and the future well being of the people of Lexington; or act in
any other manner in relation thereto.
Christopher Haines asked whether the problem may be understated and that the proposal may be
too weak. Reports that “peak oil” may have been reached. Tom Griffiths asked whether limits
on fuel production may make inattention to climate change and energy use an economic threat.
Roger Borghesani opined that $200/barrel oil may be in the offing that that 10 year payback on
investments may be prudent.
The Committee voted unanimously to support the resolution with reservations that the proposal
may not be strong enough, and that the economic impact may be understated.
Report of Patt Goddard, Public Facilities Head
Mr. Goddard reported on the state of monthly, providing historic data back to 2005 and current.
The nettlesome challenge of aggregating Town oil use has been resolved.
Data on 2006-2007 oil usage per school has been collected.
Pat reports that there has been a 7% reduction in KwH usage at schools’06-’07.
LPS energy reporting is now available on a monthly basis
The current municipal energy budget is based on oil prices than we are now experiencing.
Discussion ensued on how to normalize energy use using sources of degree days
Authorized design engineer to propose three alternatives on Clarke energy related renovation.
Vendor is Garcia, Deluska, et al. (SP?).
New traps in elementary schools, estimate 380 replaced. 24 rooms per ES.
Pat will generate paragraph on steam trap replacement for Keith to package for release to
Minutemen. Pat’s regular report on facilities will be repackaged as a public statement from the
ECC.
Hank Manz, Selectman reports.
Hank recognized the variance between ECC goals and deliverables.
ECC had push back when we advocated strong energy conservation elements in the DPW
ECC needs to establish its role as the advocate for energy savings amid many other competing
Town concerns.
Steve Kropper reviewed the ECC’s two modest goals for 2007
.
1. Institute monthly reporting for major Town buildings
2. Complete street lamp replacement program
Much achieved, but we have not completed these goals.
Reasons:
DPW occupied with DPW proposal. Re-lamp savings potential is $37k. This is 1/10% of the
DPW building cost.
Reporting goals have perhaps appropriately been compromised amid the backlog of deferred
maintenance.
Restatement of ECC goals:
Provided technical and economic assistance-free consulting to Town.
Assist when there is TM or budget impact
How do the ECC goals get translated into Departmental goals?
Problem:
Can’t run a program without goals and metrics.
Committee is in advisory role.
The people who can make a difference, meet these goals don’t work for ECC.
ECC Is not even like Board of Directors –no one to hire or fire.
We are BoS committee, so need some guidance from Hank as liaison on next steps.
No ECC goals built into DPW or facilities management objectives
Proposal for Energy related Web links on Town site.
Christopher will take responsibility for recommending six Web site links that provide critical
information for citizens on energy conservation.
Miscellaneous Issues:
Discussion ensued on whether LED Christmas lights have been considered.
Discussion on DPW usage of LED in traffic lights.
No progress by DPW on street re-lamping since last meeting.
Alessandro asked about meeting in AM.
Unanimous vote to adjourn the meeting.
Meeting adjourned at 7 PM.
Steve Kropper, Secretary