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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-08-24-SLC-min RECEIVED d 21 2 3 IIS ov, 4, 13 p ui °m Sustainable Lexington Committee TOWN CLERK LEXINGTON MA Minutes of Meeting of August 24, 2021 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, Archana Dayalu, Rick Reibstein, Todd Rhodes (vice-chair), Dan Voss (Chair), Charlie Wyman Members Absent: None Staff Present: Stella Carr Other Attendees: Joe Pato (Select Board), Mark Sandeen (Select Board), Mary Hutton (Mothers Out Front), Ricki Pappo (LexCAN), Michelle Wu (SustainabLY), Tanay Dalmia(SustainabLY), Jeanne Krieger, Lucy DeWolf, Sara Bothwell Allen The meeting was called to order at 6:05 pm. Todd referenced the opening statement requested by the Town Clerk, and all members present responded that they could hear. Approval of minutes. The draft minutes of July 27, 2021, were approved as written. Comments from residents, new business. Lucy DeWolf of Reed Street related the story of her neighbor's mosquito spraying, the very sore throat she (Ms. DeWolf) experienced in response, her concern for the pollinators in her crabapple, and the offense her neighbor took when she said something. Members agreed this related to our discussion of neonicotinoids later in the meeting, and to address it then. Decision on video recording of committee meetings. Todd confirmed that the committee was not particularly interested in having its meetings recorded for broadcast on LexMedia; such recordings are expensive and not required, and our meetings remain open to the public for anyone who wishes to attend online. Sustainability Director's Report. • Stella reported that she is working with Marcia and the Farmers Market to coordinate Sustainability Day on October 5 and would welcome attendance from the Sustainable Lexington Committee. She asked that we help spread the word and noted that the Select Board is being asked for a proclamation in support of local food. • Stella is coordinating with other staff and Rick and Archana on a grant to obtain sensors to measure outdoor air quality (including PM 2.5), near some town and school buildings. The data will be publicly available. 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. Sustainable Lexington Committee Minutes of August 24, 2021 development likely coming to Lexington. Signatures are being gathered on a citizens' article on this topic. Landscaping standards being developed by ad hoc group of Conservation Commission, Tree Committee, SLC members. Charlie updated the committee on the draft landscaping standards (in the pattern of the Lexington LEED standards) developed by an ad hoc group of members of the Conservation Commission, Tree Committee, and Sustainable Lexington. Originally intended for incorporation into the HIP development regulations, the group is now pursuing two different applications. One is incorporation into the regulations for development of projects requiring site plan review and special permits now being drafted by Planning staff. The other is incorporation into planning for Town projects; the group has reached out to Jon Himmel (Permanent Building Committee) and Mike Cronin (Public Facilities)to begin the conversation. Lexington Living Landscapes update. Charlie brought the committee up to date on Lexington Living Landscapes, the town-wide initiative launched in 2020 that is a partnership of Sustainable Lexington, the Lexington Field and Garden Club, Lexington Climate Action Network (formerly GWAC), and Citizens for Lexington Conservation to promote sustainable landscaping practices on both private and public lands in town. Charlie reviewed the group's accomplishments this past year and laid out their tentative plans for the year ahead. Update on Noise Committee activities regarding Gas-Powered Leaf Blowers -review proposed letter of support. Archana presented the draft letter in support of a phase-out of gas-powered leaf blowers and explained the reasons why (carbon emissions, noise, air pollution, impacts on workers and the public). Dan Koretz of the Noise Advisory Committee described the committee's concerns about noise levels but also pointed out the machines' emissions of particulates and VOCs and their impact particularly on workers over many hours of use. The NAC has hoped to have a proposal ready for a fall town meeting, but it may be put off until the spring. Rick noted that electric machines are getting better, that blowers with 4-stroke engines, while better in terms of emissions, are very heavy, and that workers not only experience impacts from the noise and toxics of GLBs, but also from the constant vibrations. Lucy DeWolf related her experience with a GLB being used by a contractor on the Lincoln Park fitness path overseen by the Lincoln Park Subcommittee. Charlie said he knows someone on the subcommittee and will follow up. The committee reviewed edits offered by Paul. After further discussion, the committee voted unanimously to approve the letter with Paul's edits and that it be copied to the Select Board. EV School Bus project update. Todd explained that our current school bus contract expires next summer, and that he and Mark have been working closely with several Town staff and committees on two documents: language for the bid package for school bus services that would require the addition of three electric school buses to the fleet each year of the contract, and an 3. Sustainable Lexington Committee Minutes of August 24, 2021 RFP to lease electric buses and charging stations for use by the bus operator. Because of the investment required, a bylaw change to allow for contracts longer than five years would be required. The proposed change to the bylaw will be on the School Committee's agenda soon to recommend a warrant article for Special Town Meeting. Neonicotinoids: Follow-up on information from DPW and Conservation. Todd explained that DPW provided to Stella a list of the pesticides they use in turf maintenance. Rick noted that the Town is making good choices; the chemicals involved are not broad-spectrum and are relatively low toxicity, but low-tox is not no-tox, and chemicals should only be used as a last resort and in the context of an IPM program. He also suggested what is needed is education of homeowners on what not to buy, and how to communicate with your landscaper about what they are using. The Conservation Commission leases two parcels of land on Waltham Street, and those leases express a strong preference for organic methods but do not require them. A question was raised about what's permitted on community gardens. Several action steps were agreed upon: Charlie will follow up with the Conservation Commission on lease renewal; Ricki will look into any regulations on what can be used on community gardens; and Lexington Living Landscapes will explore an education program for homeowners. Update on Comprehensive Plan. Cindy noted that there is an idea wall for residents to leave messages about what's important to them, and that one can also"like" entries in the community values section. The importance of participating at this stage of the process and helping to raise the profile and priority of issues you care about was noted. Heat Pump promotion - continuing discussion. Cindy noted that there is a Heat Smart Alliance of towns that used CEC funding before it disappeared, and growing social media chatter about heat pumps. LexCAN is planning a sustainability fair. Stella is working with A9 to do a session on how to make your home cleaner, greener, and healthier on a date in September. It was suggested that when DOER takes their net zero energy code on the road for feedback, we should have a letter ready expressing what we'd like. Mark suggested a letter before then, while they're developing their draft, might have more impact. Arlington has prepared such a letter and is exploring asking other towns to sign on. Next Meeting: The next regularly scheduled meeting of Sustainable Lexington is at 6 pm on September 28, 2021. The committee voted to adjourn at 9:15. Respectfully submitted, Charlie Wyman 4.