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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-03-12-SLC-minSustainable Lexington Committee Minutes of Meeting of March 12, 2024 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 (chair), Lin Jensen, Andy Joynt, Todd Rhodes (vice- chair), Dan Voss, Charlie Wyman Members Absent: Celis Brisbin, Paul Chernick, Rick Reibstein Staff Present: Maggie Peard Other Attendees: Jill Hai (Select Board), Mark Sandeen (Select Board), Mike Boudett (CEC), Tina McBride The meeting was called to order at 6:03 pm. Cindy referenced the opening statement requested by the Town Clerk and all members present responded that they could hear. 2024 ATM Article 29 - Noise Bylaw changes. Cindy described the proposed changes to the Noise Bylaw. She reminded the committee that we sent the Select Board comments in the fall when it looked like it might be taken up at the fall Town Meeting, and we later added more regarding the proposed delay in the commercial ban on gas-powered leaf blower use. She presented a draft statement, which was discussed by the committee and minor amendments made. It was then moved, seconded and unanimously voted to approve the draft statement as amended, authorizing Cindy to do minor word smithing to best capture the intent of the committee. [The final version is attached to these minutes and was sent the next day.] 2024 ATM Article 38 - Fossil Fuel Infrastructure Bylaw changes. Cindy explained that this article may also come up at Monday’s opening of Town Meeting. She explained that these are changes DOER recommended without making them mandatory. Jill informed the committee that the Economic Development Advisory Committee (EDAC) had voted to oppose the article, and believes the reason is builder opposition to the ban on gas fireplaces and stoves. Because the new specialized stretch code requires solar panels and additional wiring in any house with mixed-fuel use, it seems unlikely that any builder will want to install either gas appliance. Cindy will reach out to EDAC to better understand their opposition. The Select Board is fully in support of the article. After further discussion, it was moved, seconded and voted unanimously to approve the draft statement with minor changes, authorizing Cindy to do minor word smithing to best capture the intent of the committee. [The final version is attached to these minutes and was sent the next day.] Next Meeting: The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Sustainable Lexington Committee is scheduled for 6 pm on March 19, 2024. Sustainable Lexington Committee Minutes of March 12, 2024 The committee voted to adjourn at 6:35 pm. Respectfully submitted, Charlie Wyman Attachments .2 Sustainable Lexington Committee Minutes of March 12, 2024 Sustainable Lexington Committee statement on ATM Article 29, adopted 3/12/24: March 13, 2024 Dear members of the Select Board, Noise pollution is a topic of great concern for the Sustainable Lexington Committee (SLC) as it substantially impacts the health of people and the surrounding environment. As reported last year to the Select Board, the SLC supports making limited changes to the Town’s Noise Control Bylaw to resolve gaps in the bylaw that have led to unacceptable and harmful levels of noise at construction sites in town. Article 29 Motion a: SLC supports the proposed changes to the bylaw within Article 29a as they attempt to more clearly define cases in which harmful noise would be created and require noise mitigation plans. The SLC looks forward to the reconstitution of a Noise Advisory Committee so that they may continually monitor and improve the Noise Control Bylaw. A particular point of concern is the maximum of 85 dBA of noise allowed at the property line. Other neighboring towns have limits that are significantly lower and the SLC would encourage taking into consideration updated environmental noise standards and concern for harm to public health. In 1974, when the EPA had an Office of Noise Abatement and Control, (ONAC), ONAC found that 70 decibels was the exposure below which it assumed measurable hearing loss would not occur, and levels of 55 and lower were necessary to prevent “activity interference and annoyance”. Sleep, work, education, concentration, health in general, and property values are all impacted - and sometimes severely - by a lack of clarity concerning harmful levels. Article 29 Motion b: The SLC remains opposed to the proposed change to delay the implementation of the gas- powered leaf blower prohibition for commercial landscapers by one year (Article 29b). When considering the delay, the Select Board requested staff to assess the availability of commercial-grade equipment and batteries. No evidence was provided to suggest that the March 31, 2025 deadline could not be achieved. Information was provided that identified that commercial-grade equipment is available on the market. SLC recommends retention of the current deadlines for compliance for commercial landscapers in the Noise Control Bylaw and to consider alternative pathways to compliance reflecting good faith efforts of affected parties. Regards, Cindy Arens Chair, Sustainable Lexington Committee .3 Sustainable Lexington Committee Minutes of March 12, 2024 Sustainable Lexington Committee statement on ATM Article 38, adopted 3/12/24: March 13, 2024 Dear members of the Select Board, The Sustainable Lexington Committee (SLC) is looking forward to the Town being able to administer our Fossil Fuel Infrastructure Bylaw this month, which the Town overwhelmingly passed three years ago. Article 38: The SLC is in unanimous support of the small changes recommended by the MA Department of Energy Resources (DOER) to the Fossil Fuel Infrastructure Bylaw in Article 38. Lexington is currently the only community in the DOER Fossil Fuel Free Demonstration Program with an exemption for indoor cooking and indoor fireplaces and DOER would like to create consistency in the program. Regarding the changes to the definition of Major Renovations, DOER has made the same recommendation to all communities participating in the program. Staff has indicated that the change will affect very few buildings, if any at all, because new construction that includes gas stoves or fireplaces are already required to be prewired for electrification and offset fossil fuel use with solar energy generation under the Specialized Energy Code. Even so, it’s important to acknowledge the growing evidence of the last few years that indoor emissions from gas appliances (even when not in use) have potentially negative health impacts. Regards, Cindy Arens Chair, Sustainable Lexington Committee .4