HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-04-23-SLC-min
Town of Lexington
Sustainable Lexington Committee
Minutes of Meeting of April 23, 2019
A meeting of the Sustainable Lexington Committee (SLC) was held in the Hudson Room in Cary
Hall. A quorum of five was present.
Members Present: Celis Brisbin, Marcia Gens, Todd Rhodes, Dan Voss, Charlie Wyman
Members Absent: Rick Reibstein
Other Attendees: Joe Pato (Board of Selectmen)
Alan Sherman
Charles Hornig (Planning Board)
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm.
1. Review and approve minutes of previous meeting
The minutes of the meeting of April 2, 2019, were approved as written.
2. Potential zoning changes to encourage construction of solar energy systems
Charles Hornig of the Planning Board explained that he had taken on the task of
reviewing the Zoning By-Law to identify provisions that might limit solar installations in
town.
o He walked the committee through several provisions of the by-law that limit solar
adoption: limits on accessory uses in residential districts, only two districts that
permit solar as a primary use, and provisions that limit the placement of solar in
commercial districts, particularly parking lot canopies.
o He also raised the question of whether we might want to require solar
installations, as Watertown has done for commercial construction.
The Planning Board is meeting next on May 22. Dan, Todd, and Celis will put their heads
together and try to provide feedback by then; anyone else on the committee is welcome to
submit comments personally.
Celis raised the question of whether rules about building construction could be revised to
make roofs more solar-compatible.
3. Sustainable Building Policy - review of latest updates
Dan updated the committee on progress in finalizing the sustainable building policy and
goals. One remaining issue is the PBC’s proposal that LEED silver compliance be used
as a proxy for some of the specific goals in the design process for building projects.
There are currently 14 goals identified in the Goals attachment, of which seven are
covered by LEED silver standards. Replacing specific goals with a reference to LEED
complicates the process of identifying which of the 14 are essential, desirable, or
optional.
Celis pointed out that at times we might wish to reference other certifications or sets of
standards that might be more appropriate in a given situation than LEED.
Dan will get back in touch with Jim Malloy to move the discussion forward.
4. Waste Task Force update
Charlie and Marcia reported on the progress of the waste group in defining their proposed
structure, composition, and charge, which was circulated before the meeting as a proposal
for creation of a subcommittee.
Discussion focused on whether it should be a subcommittee or a shorter-term task force.
Tangible goals are desired.
The waste group had been under the impression that they were being steered towards
creation of a subcommittee, which would be more formal and cumbersome, requiring
Select Board approval, adherence to the Open Meeting Law, etc., but Dan requested that
they recast their proposal as a task force, in keeping with SLC’s history of using task
forces for targeted, achievable goals. One goal of the task force might be to explore
creation of a standing subcommittee.
Concern was expressed that the draft charge tracked Robert Beaudoin’s job description
very closely. Charlie and Marcia explained that they had met with Robert and any charge
would be reviewed/developed with him.
The group will huddle again and recast their proposal as a task force and return at a future
meeting.
\[at this point Charlie had to leave the meeting, and Marcia took over as scribe\]
5. Sustainable Lexington Committee Charter – proposed updates
The group discussed the merits of expanding the membership to accommodate the new
members from the energy committee bringing the count to 9 and questioned whether it
makes sense to go up to 11. There was no clear resolution.
Another idea discussed to expand the committee with "associates" who would be brought
on for yearly terms and not be voting members or count toward quorum.
The group agreed to revisit the charter at the next meeting.
6. Discovery Day – planning discussion
Sustainable Lexington will again Table at Discovery Day which will be held in the center
of town on Mass Ave, Saturday May 25th. Todd has asked Homeworks to table to offer
HEAs. He also asked the Green Energy Alliance if they can again provide a person to
table with electric car(s) and Electric lawnmower. etc. Todd suggested that a Zero Waste
Station be placed near our Table as well as Black Earth so we can point to the outcomes
of some of our work/collaborations. Todd will spearhead organizing the table.
7. Competitive Electricity Suppliers – communication/action strategy
The town will send out a letter to residents to clarify that they are already included in
Lexington's clean energy aggregation and can discard/ ignore the mailings from outside
vendors pitching "cleaner" energy choices.
Alan offered to meet with Sean Dugan, Public Information Officer, to discuss the
communication strategy.
8. Solar Task Force update
Dan reported that Lexington has chosen Ameresco Inc to design and implement Solar
rooftop on Hastings, Lexington Children's Place, possibly Bridge, and some town parking
lots.
A meeting is scheduled with the Board of Selectmen on April 29 to discuss plans.
9. Indoor Air/Natural Gas Study update
Lexington can receive a indoor air quality tests of schools/ other buildings through
Mothers Out Front/ HEET for $500 a building.
Dan plans to connect with the Superintendent and the School Committee to discuss how
to move this effort forward with the schools.
10. BBRS letter – status
The committee voted to unanimously to send the letter to the BOS (4 votes). Todd will
send the letter to Joe Pato to present to the Board.
11. Proposed Gas Metering Station at HAFB – status
Dan reports that the station will be a co-generation, heat and energy, plant connected to
National Grids Natural Gas pipeline. The site is also being considered for Solar PV.
12. Sustainability Director Role and Job Description – status
The new Lexington Town Manager, Jim Malloy, plans to draft and propose a
Sustainability Director position this fall. Dan will reach out to him to identify how the
SLC can provide input.
13. Sustainable Action Plan update:
Dan asked if we can post the updated Sustainability Action Plan on the Sustainable
Lexington Web page on the Town of Lexington website.
Todd will follow up.
The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 28, at 7:00 pm.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:15pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Charlie Wyman and Marcia Gens