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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-09-22-SLC-min Town of Lexington Sustainable Lexington Committee Minutes of Meeting of September 22, 2020 A meeting of the Sustainable Lexington Committee (SLC) was held by Zoom conference. A quorum of nine was present. Members Present: Cindy Arens, Celis Brisbin, Paul Chernick, Archana Dayalu, Marcia Gens, Rick Reibstein, Todd Rhodes (vice-chair), Dan Voss (chair), Charlie Wyman Members Absent: None Other Attendees: Stella Carr (Sustainability Director), Jeffrey Rhodin, Joe Pato (Select Board), Mark Sandeen (Select Board), Mary Hutton (Mothers Out Front), Ricki Pappo (Lexington GWAC), Alyssa Baer, Paul Gromer (Peregrine Energy), Marlana Patton (Peregrine Energy) The meeting was called to order at 6:04 pm. Todd read the opening statement requested by the Town Clerk, and all members responded that they could hear. 1. Previous minutes. The minutes of August 18, 2020, circulated previously, were approved as written. 2. Comments from residents; new business. Todd introduced Alyssa Baer, a resident who is interested in learning more about the work of the committee, who was invited by Joe. 3. Peregrine Energy Group Updates. Paul Gromer and Marlana Patton spoke on three matters: • Emission Model Status. Paul explained that we will have an updated document by Monday. He had hoped to include a more complete version of the assessors' database, but hasn't been able to acquire that yet. Paul C. provided more accurate details on solar installations in town, and Mark provided better information on natural gas leaks. The report and model will separate the major federal facilities (Hanscom and Lincoln Labs) from other buildings, since the town has no control of their power use. Their exclusion will permit a more accurate comparison with previous results. Peregrine does not have data on natural gas use at the federal facilites and that will have to be estimated. Mark noted that those facilities will soon be tapping directly into the Algonquin pipeline and will not obtain natural gas through National Grid. • Actions to address electricity seller scams reported in Lexington. A number of residents (including some members of the committee) have received calls, with Town of Lexington as caller ID, saying that they have been overcharged for electricity and to press 1 to get a discount and sign up for lower rates. Paul G. said the best response is for individual residents 1. Sustainable Lexington Committee Minutes of September 22, 2020 to file a complaint(can be very simple) with DPU, which will trigger an investigation. The need and avenues for communicating this problem to the public were discussed. • Communications plan for new Community Choice rates. Marlana explained that the new rates will become effective with December meter reads and the town has a legal obligation to publicize any price change. She would recommend a press release no later than early to mid- November, using the local paper, town email list, and Community Choice website to help get the news out. Towns can and sometimes do more: brochure, public information sessions, signs, banners, etc. Whatever the town does will be reported to the DPU to demonstrate a good faith effort to inform residents. Peregrine will provide a first draft that meets DPU requirements, including an all-important disclaimer that future savings cannot be guaranteed. Mark suggested the communications go out right after Eversource sets their winter rates, for comparison, typically in mid-November; Marlana said that is fine, but customers frequently call earlier to get rates for their planning purposes and it would be helpful to share them on an ad hoc basis, to which the committee agreed. • A discussion ensued about whether to encourage people to opt up to New England Green from the default 100% Green. Marlana shared that of the 10,242 accounts, only 56 are on basic and 25 on New England Green. She recounted that opt-up campaigns are difficult; Newton has one of the most far-reaching and effective ones, with notable results but still a minority of those enrolled. Further thought will be given to an opt-up campaign; Ricki offered to help, and Stella confirmed with Mark that such a campaign doesn't require Select Board approval. Stella will take the lead on a communications strategy, working with Marlana; Paul C. offered to be the main committee resource on this, and Todd encouraged anyone else interested to offer their help to Stella. 4. Sustainability Director Update. Stella reviewed the information she shared in her monthly report (see the report for further detail). She mentioned that DOE has a program (EV Watts) to collect data from across the country from municipalities and individuals on EV charging; she will enroll on the town's behalf regarding its two charging stations, but it would be good to have a dozen or so residents with EVs also participating. In response to a question from Cindy, Stella explained that the Homeworks rollout is just awaiting a signature and that the Homeworks team is eager to get started. Stella also explained that she will keep the committee apprised of the Hartwell Avenue plans, and will forward on the current draft for our feedback as soon as it can be shared. 5. Meeting Norms and Operational Update. • Celis reported that their team (Archana, Cindy, and himself) are making progress on designing a facility for sharing documents, and hope to provide details next month. • Todd noted the importance of not sending materials to the Select Board at the last minute, and the value of doing one-on-one meetings with Board members before significant asks. He also raised the question of the roles of Stella and committee members at Board presentations, and discussion ensued about the proper roles and obligations of each in this context. 2 Sustainable Lexington Committee Minutes of September 22, 2020 6. Solid Waste Master Plan—Results from presentation to the Select Board. Cindy reported that the letter was approved and issued, but without the request for 100% food waste diversion by 2030. The first meeting of the community waste task force was held last week, and they spoke about videos and other educational opportunities. The LPS Green Teams have delivered 83 bins in the last three months to new Black Earth subscribers. Unfortunately the schools are not getting a food waste diversion contract this year, as COVID has scrambled the handling of food, with little passing through kitchens and cafeterias. The Human Rights Committee issued a statement calling racism a public health crisis, with reference to the need for environment justice. 7. Letter to the Department of Public Utilities in support of the Attorney General's request for an investigation into a transition away from natural gas —Results from presentation to the Select Board. Archana reported that the presentation to the Select Board went well, but there was confusion; in addition to our request,the Board independently had begun a conversation about the AGO's letter and a response to be drafted by the Town Manager. Joe or Stella will ask the Town Manager to meet with Archana and other members of our team to merge the two paths; individual meetings with Select Board members, and review of a revised letter by Sustainable Lexington, are anticipated before it goes back to the Board. Mark noted that there is no rush, as this will be a long-term effort and there is much to sort out. 8. Update on RMI training and Natural Gas reduction plans. Ricki reported that the training is still in flux, as the strategy was upended by the AGO's letter. Different towns are exploring different options (home rule petitions, development incentives, etc.). The training continues once/month. State action will eventually be needed (either authorizing legislation or action on home rule petitions); until then, they'll be chipping away with education. Ricki and Archana will return to the committee when a promising path emerges. 9. Toxic Use Reduction—Next Steps. Rick reported that the meeting with Town staff was very encouraging, with DPF staff committed to a program to look at where we are using toxics and what alternatives there might be to their use. Discussion at that meeting touched on reviews of what's being purchased, audits of schools, red and green lists, etc. Stella reported that follow-up to that meeting is underway. Rick offered to participate in any subsequent meetings if requested. 10. Review Annual Report to Town Clerk. Todd had circulated a draft earlier, and Cindy had provided comments. The report is due on Friday, and Todd requested any further comments by the end of the day on Wednesday (the 23rd) 11. Ongoing Project Updates Sustainable Landscaping. Charlie reported that the working group has made good progress, and the other three potential partners have all responded with enthusiasm and are seeking formal approval of their governing bodies. It was clarified that Sustainable Lexington is participating as one of several partners, and projects that involve committee action will come 3 Sustainable Lexington Committee Minutes of September 22, 2020 back to the committee for approval; this is not a subcommittee of Sustainable Lexington. The committee voted unanimously to accept the invitation to participate and to name Charlie Wyman and Archana Dayalu to serve on the program's steering committee. • HeatSmart program—Alternative Approach. Cindy reported that the effort has slowed down because of the recent decision to direct program funding elsewhere. She is participating in the HeatSmart alliance with other towns to explore options. • Police Station. Celis reported that design work is on pause at the Select Board's request while the community conversation about policing continues. Mike Cronin suggested asking the architects to get involved in the design of the solar canopies, rather than leave it as an add-on for the canopy contractors. Mark emphasized the need to address it soon, as once the green light is issued for finalizing the design, there will be enormous pressure to complete it quickly, and anything not already integrated into the effort may be postponed or jettisoned. Dan will check with Mike to confirm. • Solar Canopies at Schools. Mark and Dan reported that work continues, footings are going in, and support columns will go in shortly. Mark noted the good news that the DOER has agreed the Town's seven solar projects currently under construction will qualify for the SMART program's recently increased public adder, moving from $0.02/kWh to $0.04/kWh, which is expected to result in additional revenue of$63,784/year to the Town. The canopies are expected to be fully operational before year's end. The Town and Ameresco continue to work on updating the agreement to include energy storage batteries. • Electric School Bus Feasibility. Todd reported that planning is moving slowly. The current plan is to install charging stations at LHS and Diamond, which staff could use during the day when they're not occupied by buses. Next Meeting: The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Sustainable Lexington Committee will be on Tuesday, October 27, 2020, at 6 pm. The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 pm. Respectfully submitted, Charlie Wyman 4