HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-03-10-ECC2-min
MEETING MINUTES
Board/Committee Name: Energy Conservation Committee.
Date, Time and Location of Meeting:
Room 221, Public Service Building, Bedford Street
6:00 PM March 10, 2010
These minutes of the March meeting were approved by a
quorum of the ECC members in attendance.
In attendance:
Steve Kropper, Chair
Shawn Newell, Assistant Director, Public Facilities
Pat Goddard, Director, Department of Public Facilities
Bill Hadley, Director, Department of Public Works
Hank Manz, Liaison to Board of Selectmen
Christopher Haines
Paul Chernick
Joe Musacchia, Secretary
Visiting
Beth Zonis, Eco Marketing LLC
Absent:
Tom Griffiths, Member
Ravi Sakhuja
Jeff Nestel-Patt
Roger Borghsani
Prabir Maulik
Anthony Galaitsis
BTU Consumption in Lexington
This discussion focused on how to best compare BTU consumption and
other measurements with similar communities in Massachusetts.
Some metrics suggested included calculation of overall Lexington fuel
efficiency by square mile or by population. Benefits of these metrics at
the municipal building level could include increasing motivation of
Energy Challenge participants. It was noted that overall BTU reduction
as well as carbon footprint reduction are good stories to feature in the
Minuteman as well as in potential grant proposals. It was also noted
that there was a good story in the fuel cost having had a sharper
reduction to date than even the BTU reduction.
Paul Chernick volunteered to generate a carbon footprint reduction
equivalence using the Public Facilities BTU usage reports. For
publication purposes these results could be turned into more popular
metrics such as number of cars taken off the road.
Shawn Newell noted that his department has recently been given
visibility to state metrics. DOER limits the number of logins for each
town to four, so any analysis based on state figures will have to go
through the Public Facilities department.
In order to become a green community there are a number of metrics
that will need to be demonstrated in addition to the BTU reduction
data already being collected. For example, the town car population is
one of the data points needed. The Public Facilities department asked
the ECC for its support in applying for grants.
NSTAR Street Lights
800 CFLs are complete in town and are now in the process of being
incorporated into the NSTAR database. Deployment of high pressure
sodium lights is being considered to provide further energy use
reduction. Some mercury vapor lights still need to be replaced. Of
the 16 town traffic lights, 1 has been converted to LED so far. For
additional LED conversions the Public Works department is considering
whether the town can do the work themselves or if a contractor needs
to be engaged.
Stretch Code
Steve Kropper sent an updated article to the Minuteman and will make
a presentation to the spring Town Meeting on the Stretch Code. Paul
Chernick and Chris Haines will attend to provide additional technical
support if called upon. One topic that is expected to arise is
contrasting the difference between LEED silver and the Stretch Code.
The presentation would emphasize that the Stretch Code is focused on
energy usage reduction while the LEED silver certification is based on a
number of other factors, the sum of which does not absolutely result in
energy savings.
ARRA (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act)
An ARRA grant is being prepared to request $150K from the Federal
government to fund new boilers in Harrington school. The Public
Facility contribution to this effort would be $10K
Additional Information
DPW: http://ci.lexington.ma.us/dpw/departmentofpublicworks.cfm
DPF: http://ci.lexington.ma.us/deptofpublicfacilities.cfm
Next meeting will be on Wednesday, April 14 at 6:00pm, Room 221 of
the Public Services Building
Adjourned: 7:30 PM
Steve Kropper, Chair
Joe Musacchia, Secretary