AVON CLEAN ENERGY COMMISSION
AVON ROOM - BUILDING #1 TOWN HALL
MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2009
I. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 7:30PM by Chairman Olivier Gressier in the Avon Room, Building 1 Town Hall. Members present: Chairman Olivier Gressier, Bernie Zahren, Jamie DiPace, Brett Eisenlohr, Marty Kaplan and Linda Meyers. Also in attendance was staff member and Town Clerk Ann Dearstyne.
II. ELECTION OF VICE CHAIRMAN
Chairman Gressier asked the committee for nominations of a vice-chairman. Bernie Zahren volunteered. Mr. Eisenlohr motioned, Mr. Kaplan seconded, and all agreed to elect Bernie Zahren as vice-chairman. None abstained.
III. COMMUNICATIONS FROM AUDIENCE
Resident Bob Weinberger, Director of Talcott Mountain Science Center John Craig and Avon Life Newspaper Editor Natalie Pollack were in attendance. Members of the audience introduced themselves and their interests to the committee members and of their desire to offer their services if they could.
IV. COMMUNICATION FROM COMMITTEE MEMBERS
The committee members introduced themselves and gave a brief description of their interest and commitment to increasing the use of clean and renewable energy sources in the Town of Avon. Chairman Gressier moved to Avon in 2000 and currently works for a firm that retrofits existing buildings to make them more energy efficient. Mr. Zahren formerly owned a renewable energy company and now works as a consultant. Mr. Kaplan spoke of his efforts to make Farmington Woods more "green." Mr. Eisenlohr and Mr. DiPace told of their genuine interest in learning more about renewable energy. Ms. Meyers is interested in exploring energy solutions to educate her clients.
V. APPROVE A MEETING SCHEDULE
The committee then discussed establishing a meeting schedule for 2009. Mr. Kaplan motioned, Mr. Eisenlohr seconded, and all agreed to meet the first Wednesday of the month at 7:00PM in the Avon Room, Town Hall. None abstained. The next meeting will be held Wednesday, April 1st, 2009, 7:00PM in the Avon Room, Town Hall.
VI. DISCUSSION REGARDING THE FOLLOWING ITEMS: A. AVON CLEAN ENERGY COMMISSION CHARGE B. STANDARDS OF CONDUCT FOR PUBLIC OFFICIALS C. THOUGHTS ON HOW TO PROCEED
Chairman Gressier turned over the discussion of the "charge" to Ms. Dearstyne to explain. She reiterated several points of the charge including 20% of the Town's electrical supply come from clean, renewable energy sources by 2010, and encouraging households, businesses and institutions to use clean energy. For every one hundred households that sign up for the 20% by 2010, the Town will receive one solar panel. Ms. Dearstyne mentioned the Middle School being selected as the potential recipient of the panels.
Mr. Zahren suggested having John Craig as an advisor to the committee but Chairman Gressier would rather wait to discuss items the members would be working on before suggesting Mr. Craig or others. Chairman Gressier then suggested discussing the standards of conduct for public officials. The key points included not benefiting or appearing to benefit in any financial way from the proceedings, no gifts of any substantial value, or members cannot use confidential information to advance one's own financial interests. He then passed out forms for the members to sign, acknowledging and understanding the standards. All signed the forms and gave them to Ms. Dearstyne.
Chairman Gressier invited the members to discuss their thoughts on how to proceed. Mr. Zahren wanted to emphasize that there wasn't a single commercial utility grade windmill in the state of Connecticut; that all of it was being produced in upper state New York and that he'd hope the state would eventually produce its own. Mr. Kaplan mentioned the Canton project to re-start their existing dams for hydroelectric power. Ms. Dearstyne added that the project was on hold waiting for the proper licensing. Mr. Eisenlohr discussed potential grant monies made available through resident participation in greater clean energy purchasing.
Chairman Gressier introduced a handout breaking out areas of focus for the members and hoped each could lead one area of the list according to each member's interest. Mr. Eisenlohr suggested creating a Mission Statement for the group which Chairman Gressier suggested Brett also author and have ready for the next meeting. Mr. Gressier spoke of inexpensive way to reach the community. Mr. DiPace suggested a tri-fold handout. Ms. Dearstyne reminded that information about the committee is also available on the Town website. Mr. Kaplan said there was plenty of information out there but we needed instead "behavior modification" in our community in order to get residents to begin implementing energy efficiencies.
Chairman Gressier's areas of focus and member selection were divided as follows:
Clean/Renewable Technology Bernie Zahren
Town & BOE Building Efficiency Olivier Gressier
Community Outreach Linda Meyers, Brett Eisenlohr
Transportation Marty Kaplan
Funding Brett Eisenlohr
Legislation (CT's Part Jamie Dipace
Of Stimulus Package)
Ms. Dearstyne reminded the members that one additional member will be appointed to the commission.
Mr. Zahren discussed CL & P's recent suspension of all energy saving or audit funding because the fear the Governor and Legislation will take too much to fill budget gaps. Some of these monies helped fund re-fitting municipal lighting or solar panels. He added that he heard $30,000,000.00 of the stimulus package was to be used for this and would be lost contingent upon the State's continuing to fund these programs. Ms. Dearstyne has attempted to contact CCM, COST and CROG, but has found that many are not taking a stand. Chairman Gressier suggested the Town of Avon take the lead but that he'd need to put it in writing and bring it before the Town Council and that could take time. He asked Mr. Zahren to draft a letter and have it ready to review for the April 1st meeting.
Mr. Craig asked the purpose of the Commission: to save money to the Town, to reduce emissions, stop greenhouse gases, promote conservation? Chairman Gressier answered "yes" to all. Mr. Eisenlohr should have this information incorporated in the Mission Statement. Mr. Zahren wanted to remind the group that we are interested in "clean" energy not necessarily the "cheapest." Mr. Craig has built a passive home and invited the committee for a meeting there to see it in operation. Chairman Gressier would like to establish a baseline for energy consumption for the Town to begin. Mr. Eisenlohr suggested inviting a CL & P representative to a future meeting.
VII. DO ANY OTHER BUSINESS TO COME BEFORE THIS MEETING
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
Chairman Gressier motioned, Mr. Eisenlohr seconded, and all agreed to adjourn the meeting at 9:25 PM.
Respectfully submitted:
Chairman Olivier Gressier
Attest: Susan Gatcomb, Clerk
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