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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-12-20-SLC-minSustainable Lexington Committee Minutes of Meeting of December 20, 2022 A meeting of the Sustainable Lexington Committee (SLC) was held by Zoom conference. A quorum of at least six was present throughout. Members Present: Cindy Arens (chair), Celis Brisbin, Paul Chernick, Lin Jensen, Andy Joynt, Todd Rhodes (vice-chair), Charlie Wyman Members Absent: Rick Reibstein, Dan Voss Staff Present: Maggie Peard Other Attendees: Joe Pato (Select Board), Ricki Pappo (LexCAN), Tanay Dalmia (SustainabLY), Atreyi Basu (SustainabLY), Charles Hornig (Planning Board), Robert Peters (Planning Board), Marcia Gens, Jeanne Krieger, Hien Nguyen The meeting was called to order at 6:05 pm. Cindy referenced the opening statement requested by the Town Clerk and all members present responded that they could hear. Approval of past meeting minutes. The minutes of November 29, 2022 were approved as written. Comments from residents; emails to committee mailbox; new business. Todd recommended the Planning Board’s working sessions on MBTA Communities candidate zones to everyone for viewing as very instructive. There were no new emails in the Sustainable Lexington mailbox. SustainabLY update. Atreyi reported that they are wrapping up their application to Cary Library and are researching bylaw initiatives they might promote. Tanay reported that their student group has created an Instagram account and has made their first post. If anyone has suggestions and information for their bylaw initiatives or other matters, please email them. Lin and Maggie both offered suggestions. Sustainability & Resilience Officer updates. Maggie reported on the following: •Waste: Dave Pinsonneault will bring three options for a compost pilot to the Select Board (covering the full cost for 2,000 residents – the preferred option – and two levels of subsidy). Securing funding will be the next step and they are exploring various funding streams. The Town’s consultant is gathering feedback and finalizing the Zero Waste Plan for presentation to the Select Board in January or February. Some discussion followed about the status of .1 Sustainable Lexington Committee Minutes of December 20, 2022 negotiations with E. L. Harvey, the compost pilot, and longer-term initiatives to reduce trash and costs (trash metering and every-other-week pickup). •BEU-D: Preparation is proceeding; there will be an update to the Select Board in January or February. •Heat Smart program: This new program to help residents transition to heat pumps had a soft launch, with ten people already signed up with no publicity. An official launch is scheduled for January 4 at 7 pm. Todd asked about metrics to assess the program, Andy asked about tools to help people understand the costs and benefits, and Lin about whether the program can help people evaluate geothermal and not just air source heat pumps. •ATM 2023 - Article to adopt municipal opt-in specialized building code. The language of the article and description have been drafted for the warrant. •Town solar buildout plan development. The Town Manager is interested in long-term planning to examine potential uses of Town-owned undeveloped parcels for all potential uses, including solar. Todd suggested we look at all three major sectors in Lexington (municipal, residential, commercial) and explore policies that would help close the gaps necessary to meet our climate goals. Cindy brought up the possibility of Lexington doing its own community solar on one or more town-owned sites. Partnership with LexHAB to promote heating assistance and CCA. Cindy reported that a successful community event was held on December 6 for LexHAB residents to provide information about opportunities for assistance with energy costs. They will now reach out to the Lexington Housing Authority about a similar event for their residents. Artificial turf sub-group review. Cindy explained that a small group is meeting with Recreation to discuss what we do know about artificial turf fields and options/alternatives. Another meeting is planned in January to include the Health Dept. and the Board of Health in the conversation. Integrated Building Construction and Design Policy. Celis reported that progress is slow and they are waiting for feedback from the PBC. Solar canopies at police station. The solar canopy in the back has been approved by the HDC, but not as proposed along the entrance lane from Mass. Ave. This will be enough solar power to cover the needs of the building but not the vehicle fleet. While not everything we hoped for, there was consensus this was an accomplishment to be celebrated. Networked geothermal. Andy reported that he has met with Ken Karnofsky and they are undertaking outreach to stakeholders. Tree Statement of Concern. Charlie explained the origin and purpose of the statement. It deliberately does not identify specific actions, but is intended to provide “wind in the sails” for a .2 Sustainable Lexington Committee Minutes of December 20, 2022 variety of proposals, whether it be for more education, funding, or regulation, that might come from the Tree Committee or other sources, including the Climate Action Plan. After some discussion, it was moved, seconded, and voted unanimously to approve the committee’s endorsement of the statement. Charlie thanked everyone and invited those who would also like to sign individually to visit the website and do so. Tracer Lane Solar Farm Development proposal. Charlie introduced the proposal to those not familiar with it: a 31-acre site in Lexington between the Waltham line and the Cambridge reservoir, with 5+ acres proposed for a solar farm in the western portion of the site to the west of the power lines. The proposed use is as of right in the CM zone but with site plan approval required by the Planning Board. The Board held a public hearing on December 7 which was continued until February 15 to give the applicant time to react to the many comments received. Considerable discussion followed, with comments from several on the committee and the public expressing that, while very supportive of the need for more solar generating capacity in town, they are concerned about its appropriateness for this site, citing the resulting loss of forest, soil erosion, loss of stored carbon and sequestration capacity, potential contamination of the reservoir, and the poor choice of a north-facing slope. A couple of committee members expressed disappointment that there aren’t financial incentives that properly value standing trees. Bob Peters and Charles Hornig were both present and explained some of the history of the site and the limits on the Planning Board’s authority. The committee meets again in late January, in advance of the Planning Board’s continued public hearing on Feb. 15th, and it was agreed that if there are any proposed comments or recommendations the committee wishes to forward to the Board, they could do so at the next meeting. New Mass Save incentives. Cindy noted that Mass Save is offering municipalities incentives for net zero and very low EUI buildings and is encouraging towns to talk to them early in the design process. There is now a dedicated Mass Save person at Eversource for this program. It might not be too late to get funds for the police station, and certainly not for the high school; it isn’t clear but there may be funds for recommissioning buildings in addition to new construction. Next Meeting: The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Sustainable Lexington Committee will be held at 6 pm on January 26, 2023. The committee voted to adjourn at 8:23 pm. Respectfully submitted, Charlie Wyman .3