HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-05-24-SLC-minTown of Lexington
Sustainable Lexington Committee
Minutes of Meeting of May 24, 2011
A meeting of the Sustainable Lexington Committee (SLC) was held on May 24, 2011 in
Cary Hall. A quorum of three was present.
Members Present:
Members Absent:
Mark Sandeen, Chair
Rick Abrams, Todd Rhodes
Ken Moraff
The meeting was called to order at 7:05 pm.
Minutes from the March 29, 2011 meeting were approved.
There was no update on stormwater or water resources initiatives. Mr. Rhodes and Mr.
Moraff will meet to prepare an update for the next meeting.
Mr. Sandeen updated the committee on activities related to the Sagewell (Gusher)
project:
• 50% of the buildings in Lexington have been scanned.
• Sagewell is starting to analyze the images this week and plan to have 200 high-
opportunity targets in 2 -3 weeks.
The committee discussed how to structure a program to gain the greatest value from the
use of these images. An important element of this discussion was to have NextStep
Living (NSL) work with Sagewell to effectively transition the homeowner from
acknowledging that they need to make improvements to taking action to implement the
needed changes.
The committee discussed using the following process to raise awareness within
Lexington about the 1,11, rogram and to help ensure that residents take action to improve the
energy efficiency of their homes:
1. Broad communications: Before sending out letters to the homeowners, write
an article for the Minuteman or Colonial Times describing the program. The
committee could also publicize and deliver a presentation for residents about the
program.
2. Letter to targeted households: The SLC will draft a letter (on Town stationary) to
the targeted households telling them to expect a postcard /letter from Sagewell
containing an IR image of their home and a link to the Sagewell website where they
will find a more detailed analysis of the IR image. The letter will describe the
"Gusher" program, provide links to articles written about the program, and inform
them that NSL is available to conduct a free energy audit and address the specific
issues identified in the Sagewell analysis.
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Note: the communication should also include a number to call if they do not want
to participate in this program.
3. Postcard from Sagewell: Sagewell will send a postcard or letter to the
homeowners with the IR image of the home, link to the S agewell web site, and code
number for the homeowner to use to access their analysis.
4. Homeowner contacts NSL: There are two proposed methods for the homeowner to
contact NSL:
a. Click "Yes ": There is a question on the Sagewell site that reads something along
the line o£ "W ould
y ou like NextStei Living t o cntact you to conduct a free
energy audit and provide you with a quote to resolve the problems identified in
this analysis ?" If the homeowner clicks "Yes ", Sagewell will send the contact
information to NSL for follow up.
Residents can contact Sagewell via email at o oy r b ca lling
(888) 586 -1726, if they wish to "opt out by having images of their homes
deleted.
b. Homeowner calls NSL: The postcard will instruct the homeowner to call NSL
and say they are part of the "Lexington Project" if they would like a free audit and
quote. NSL will not have the list of names or IR images, but they will be prepared
to respond appropriately to calls that mention this project.
In either case, it would be valuable to also get a release from the homeowner to
access their utility (NStar/Nati*onalGrid) records to track improvement.
59 NSL Audit and Quote:* NSL contacts the homeowner, makes an appointment, and
then conducts the audit and provides a quote for the issue identit'iwed in the Sagewell
analysis.
6. NSL completes the work: NSL return to the home and completes any work agreed to
by the homeowner and NSL.
7. Follow -up — No response: For homeowners that do not respond (and do not request
that they n ot 111111 e contacted), Sagewell will send a follow-up postcard or phone call or
the SLC will send a follow-up letter.
8. Follow -up — Responders: For homeowners that choose to participate, we will need
to collect data (at least in aggregate) regarding the work that was done to the home
and projected /real energy savings that resulted.
In addition to the Gusher Program, SLC plans to work with NSL on the "grassroots" or
"bottom -up" program. The committee reviewed the Memorandum of Understanding
(MOU) and the Scope of Work provided by NSL for this program. Overall the language
in the two documents was similar, but more detailed in the Scope of Work. Mr. Sandeen
will edit the MOU to include more details from the Scope of Work. Other recommended
edits include:
• Make the expectations more measureable. For example:
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o Instead of "maintain good communications ", "status report every 30
days ".
• Delete the phrases "Help Sustainable Lexington" and "Work with Sustainable
Lexington" to make it clear that NSL will be responsible for the activities
described in those bullets
• Change "Agreement to use Town communication channels such a property tax or
water bills to promote t he program: to "Agreement to use Town communication
channels to promote the program, as appropriate ".
• Change the signature from Mark Sandeen or Carl Valenti.
The timing of the "grassroots" program will be September 2011 to June 2012. The
committee will establish an plan for activities and objects for the September to December
2011 period prior to the September kickoff. And then plan the balance of the program in
the fall as we learn more about what is working and what needs to be improved. Much of
the work will involve setting up meetings with community groups.
Mr. Abrams provided an overview of activities at the Paths Committee, which include
work on the western Lexington Greenway and an effort to connect paths within
Lexington.
Mr. Sandeen reported on his meetings with the Economic Development Advisory
Committee. He presented the Iblogix opportunity and 9 t a very positive reception.
Smaller businesses would also like assistance. One recommendation a,1113 that
that participate be provided expedited permitting to implement improvements.
Mr. Sandeen also reported that NStar and National Grid are working within the Chamber
of Commerce and promoting their "Think Easy M for " and "assSave business" programs.
Finally, Mr. Sandeen also reported on the plans being discussed related to siting a
composting digester at the Hartwell Avenue facility. The digester would require a similar
amount of space as the current composting facility and would require organic waste to be
brought to the facility ( trucks per day). The current operation generates r----, 000 in
revenue and has $350,000 in operating costs. Potential revenue fi1P J nancia roectio ns for
the digester have not been reported. Given the range of potential uses for the site (e.g.,
current use, digester, solar, etc.) the question is what the best use of this site is for the
town.
The meeting adjourned at 9:10 pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Todd Rhodes, Scribe
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