HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-10-14-ECC2-min
MEETING MINUTES
Board/Committee Name: Energy Conservation Committee.
Date, Time and Location of Meeting:
Robbins Room, Cary Building
6:00 PM October 14, 2009
These minutes of the October 14 meeting were approved
by a quorum of the ECC members in attendance.
In attendance:
Steve Kropper, Chair
Pat Goddard, Director, Department of Public Facilities
Shawn Newell, Assistant Director, Public Facilities
Tom Griffiths, Member
Bill Hadley, Director, Department of Public Works
Christopher Haines
Roger Borghsani
Paul Chernick
Prabir Maulik
Ravi Sakhuja
Jeff Nestel-Patt
Joe Musacchia, Secretary
Visiting
Beth Zonis, Eco Marketing LLC
Absent:
Hank Manz, Liaison to Board of Selectmen
Anthony Galaitsis
Annual Town Report Picture
The committee’s annual town report picture was taken. Thanks to
David Tabeling for his photography services.
Street and Traffic lights
884 Compact Fluorescent streetlights have now been installed to
replace incandescent lights. The Department of Public Works
continues its program to identify additional incandescent lights and to
replace them as possible. LED traffic lights are also being installed as
appropriate.
MTC grant funding (was Library PV project)
This grant will be used to fund installation of solar powered trash
compactors from Big Belly Solar (8 or 9) around Lexington. A
projection of savings is being assembled and a report will be delivered
to the Board of Selectmen to in turn deliver to the MTC in November.
Examples of savings include reduction of trash pickups from once a
day to once a week. Bill Hadley, Pat Goddard and Beth Zonis will work
on a communication to insert in the Lexington Minuteman.
Update on Stretch Code
Chris Haines recapped the goals and issues relating to the
Massachusetts Stretch Code. The following proposal was unanimously
approved by the committee:
“The Lexington Energy Conservation Committee recommends to the
Town Meeting that zoning approval of new projects be contingent upon
developers meeting the conditions of the Massachusetts Stretch Code.”
Steve Kropper will discuss with the Board of Selectmen how this
recommendation might be presented.
EECBG Program Update (Energy Efficiency and Conservation
Block Grant)
Pat Goddard provided an update on this national grant program.
Federal funds allocated to Massachusetts for the current phase of this
program have already been allocated. The Borrego Solar project in
investigation since last winter depended for 2/3 of its funding on this
grant and cannot be pursued further at this time. When the next
phase of funds become available they will likely be allocated quickly
and require that towns make swift applications, including
commitments to match portions of the grant funds. Pat Goddard is
working to get authorization which will allow the Department of Public
Facilities to respond quickly. Article 8 in the current town meeting
warrant will address potential solar project grant funding only.
Lexington Energy Challenge
Posters and handouts of the work of the ECC and each of the town
departments managing energy initiatives were made available at the
4-October GWAC energy fair. Thanks to many of the ECC members for
assembling materials and manning a table at the fair.
Energy Champions met in September to discuss their efforts to date.
It was noted that the level of effort varied widely. A subgroup of the
ECC (Pat Goddard, Bill Hadley, Shawn Newell, Jeff Nestel-Patt, Beth
Zonis) will meet to discuss how to motivate and support the
Champions. It was noted that the Champions are uniquely positioned
to identify energy conservation opportunities and bring them to the
attention of the DPF. Their role is considered critical to the success of
the 5-year challenge to reduce Lexington BTU consumption.
BTU Consumption in Lexington
(not discussed in the October meeting)
Additional Information
DPW: http://ci.lexington.ma.us/dpw/departmentofpublicworks.cfm
DPF: http://ci.lexington.ma.us/deptofpublicfacilities.cfm
Next meeting will be on Tuesday, November 10 at 6:00pm, Robbins
Room Cary Hall (note that this not the normal Wednesday meeting
time to accommodate Veterans day on November 11)
Adjourned: 7:30 PM
Steve Kropper,
Chair