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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-01-25-SLC-min RECEIVED 2022 22 Maii-, &32 au iii Sustainable Lexington Committee "I"OW"I"OWN "1_ 'R l Minutes of Meeting of January 25, 2022 L,EXINIG"rON M A meeting of the Sustainable Lexington Committee (SLC)was held by Zoom conference. A quorum of nine was present throughout. Members Present: Archana Dayalu, Cindy Arens, Celis Brisbin, Paul Chernick, Rick Reibstein, Todd Rhodes (vice-chair), Dan Voss (Chair), Charlie Wyman Members Absent: None Staff Present: Martha Duffield Other Attendees: Ian Galinson (BU), Daniel Daponte (BU), Mary Hutton (Mothers Out Front), Ricki Pappo (LexCAN), Jeanne Krieger, Tanay Dalmia, Marcia Gens, Charles Hornig (Planning Board), Mark Sandeen (Select Board), Janet Kern, Nina Mascarenhas, Hien Nguyen, Betty Gau, Tina McBride, Mary Rose Scozzafava, Nick Afshartous The meeting was called to order at 6:02 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 December 21, 2021 were approved as written. Comments from residents; New business. None. Presentation of solar options without affecting trees (BU Students). Rick explained that three of his students had undertaken an investigation of options in Lexington for producing solar energy without sacrificing trees. Ian Galinson and Daniel Daponte presented a summary of their report, reviewing a range of options, with a focus on options for small businesses, a case study of what Melrose has done, highway rights-of-way, and carport solar and charging stations. Committee members asked some questions and thanked the students for their work and contribution to our understanding of these issues. SustainabLY update. Tanay explained that he didn't have much to report; they are discussing some possible activities but has nothing ready to share yet. Climate Action Plan. Martha reported that a$1OK funding request for the Climate Action Plan is going to Town Meeting to complete the match needed($40K, including the $30K repurposed from the Getting to Net Zero budget) for the grant from MAPC. Sustainable Lexington Committee Minutes of January 25, 2022 Bike/pedestrian Plan discussion. Todd reminded us that on the committee's behalf he wrote a letter of support for a $65K allocation for a bicycle/pedestrian plan. Betty Gau explained that the funds have been included in Article 12 (capital improvements) as item B. The Bicycle Advisory Committee and Greenways Corridor Committee will be issuing statements of support; the SLC could support theirs or write our own. Betty will return in February to update us. Annual Town Meeting articles: Zero Waste Resolution. Hien and Janet presented a summary of the issues (environmental justice and rising environmental and financial costs) and proposal. Questions and discussion followed on several topics including barriers to zero waste, the impact of the resolution on DPW, and opportunities for regional cooperation. The committee voted unanimously to endorse the article. Residential Zoning/Clean Heat. Cindy walked us through the proposal, noting that it is intended to build on what TM passed last year. The state has still not produced a draft net-zero stretch energy code, and it's not clear when we'll get there. The proposal's essence is to reduce the gross floor area(GFA) allowance for buildings that don't meet energy efficiency and clean energy standards, and then permit increases (in two stages) for homes that do. Questions and discussions followed, with concerns expressed about the growing use of propane, avoiding making older homes nonconforming, and use of toxic spray foam to meet passive house standards. The committee voted unanimously to endorse the article. Building _Energy Use Disclosure (BEU-D).Use Disclosure (BEU-D). Todd walked us through the proposed by-law. It would apply to approximately 120 buildings in town that are either over 25,000 square feet or contain more than 25 units, and would require an annual report on energy use, from which the town could calculate emissions intensity. Implementation could be outsourced ($70K sufficient) or done internally. Rick noted that if we outsource the initial implementation, it should be part of the contract to train town staff to do it in subsequent years. Celis asked if it would be possible to track the source of the electricity each building uses as well, as another important indicator of emissions impact. The committee voted unanimously to endorse the article. Staff updates. Todd spoke from Martha's notes, as she had to leave early for another meeting. Our sustainability intern (Eloise) from France has arrived. The planning grant with EEOA for the Climate Action Plan is signed and the subcontract with MAPC is in the works. The Sustainability Officer position has been readvertised and interviews are being set up for this week. The latter led to a discussion about the title and salary range for the position. The concerns the committee previously expressed may have played a role in the decision of one or more applicants in the first round to turn down the town's offer. Todd will articulate these sentiments again to the Select Board, with a cc to the Town Manager. Open committee seat- status of the process. There are seven candidates for the position. Nick Afshartous (one of them) introduced himself. A miscommunication resulted in the committee not realizing that the Select Board was looking for our feedback before now. Todd will send out the 2. Sustainable Lexington Committee Minutes of January 25, 2022 applications/resumes; whoever can, is asked to feed their thoughts to Dan and Todd by noon tomorrow, and Dan will fashion a communication to the Select Board. Police Station. At their meeting next Thursday, the PBC will vote on a recommendation to the Select Board, which will be meeting immediately after. The proposal will then go to Town Meeting and then to a debt exclusion override. There was little left among SLC's concerns to iron out with the PBC,primarily one use of a red list material and the extent of solar on the building and canopies. Dan explained that there is enough solar capacity on site for the building to be net zero, even charging police vehicles; to do that will require solar on the front of the building and a canopy on the parking that runs perpendicular to Mass. Ave. as well as the parking lots in the rear. The first two will be a challenge with the Historic Districts Commission. The PBC has asked for a joint meeting with SLC so decisions can be made at the meeting on the 3rd. Five members (Dan, Todd, Celis, Paul, and Cindy) agreed to participate; Todd will communicate with all to find a time for a pre-meeting to discuss. Someone will need to attend the Select Board meeting at 7, as Dan has another commitment. CCA communication. A two-page spread appeared in the Jan/Feb issue of Colonial Times. Social media graphics and a postcard to Eversource Basic Service customers are in the works. Update on Noise Bylaw referendum. Archana reported that the campaign is hard at work, with lawn signs,postcards,presentations, and a mailer and Colonial Times ad coming. Update on Cressett's plans to meet the requirements of Article 17 for their new development. Todd reported that Cressett will be taking their proposal for a lab on the Boston Sports Club property to Town Meeting. They are planning a hybrid system and have been encouraged to do more with heat pumps and solar, and to consider low-carbon concrete. They have been asked for a firm commitment to meet the standards of Article 17. Status of Clean Heat Home Rule petition: Article 29/H.3893. Cindy reported that the legislative hearing went well. There is a concern that the administration is backsliding on the net-zero stretch code. Five communities have filed home rule petitions with more planning to keep up the pressure. Next Meeting: Two special meetings to address police station issues will be scheduled next week. The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Sustainable Lexington Committee will be at 6 pm on February 22, 2022. The committee voted to adjourn at 10:00 pm. Respectfully submitted, Charlie Wyman 3.