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10-21-10
SUSTAINABLE ENERGY COMMISSION
MINUTES

October 21, 2010 @ 7:30 PM
NEWTOWN MUNICIPAL CENTER:
SHARED MEETING ROOM
3 PRIMROSE STREET
NEWTOWN, CT 06470

PRESENT: DAN HOLMES, KATHLEEN QUINN, BEN ROBERTS, TED KREINIK, JIM SMITH, DESIREE GALASSI

ALSO PRESENT: FRED HURLEY-Director of DPW, TONY MITCHELL-NCD, Sally Miller & BENJAMIN GALASSI

Sustainable Energy Commission meeting was called to order at 7:36 pm by Chairperson, Dan Holmes.

~~Communications
  • Kathy has 2 articles that discuss the financial benefit to going green.  She will share them at the next meeting.  Kathy also will share the 2010 Google Group link with the group via email.
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~~~Public Comment
  • Sally Miller discussed the importance of the group and going green and it’s affect on global warming

~~Acceptance of Minutes: September 16, 2010 Motion by Ted, Desiree second, approved by all.

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~~~Business
  • ESCO- Fred reported that the town selected Keltic Energy.  The final award letters are waiting for a technicality.  The town is hoping to have it resolved within 10-14 days.
  • LED Lamps- The lamps are Fairfield Hills and the Reed Intermediate 5-6 School are being replaced with LED lightbulbs.  The change over to LED will save the town $4,000 per year.  The change to LED will cost $40,000 but the money is being provided by the federal stimulus money.  
  • LED Street Lights- Fred has been discussing LED technology with CL&P for the streetlights.
  • CNG Fleet- Fred reported that the town is still looking into converting it’s fleet to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and will be meeting with a consultant to discuss costs.  There will need to be fueling facilities as the town does not currently have a way to fuel CNG powered vehicles.  The town will consider how they may include the public since there are no CNG fueling stations in our area.  Tony Mitchell indicated looking into bio-gas as an option.  Fred noted that the once the sewer plant is upgraded it could be considered in Newtown.
  • Clean Energy Sign-Up- The group agreed that they would like to get more of the public signed up for this program.  Desiree will be drafting a document to be sent to elected and appointed officials to facilitate having them sign up for the program as an initial outreach.  The group will follow up with the paper forms at the following meeting and Kathy agreed to process the completed forms.  The group would like to make the sign-up process easier for the public.
  • Go-Green Newtown Website- The domain registration will expire next month.  Dan will obtain the bill and forward to Fred for payment.  Sonya, a friend of the committee, has agreed to update the website.
  • Plan of Conservation and Development-  The group would like the POCD to include green aspects including wind-power and  modifying ordinances to promote green energy.  The group would also like to educate building officials so they are more equipped to review plans conformity to building regulations.
  • Energy Action Plan-  Dan suggested the creation of a working group to create the plan.  Dan will lead the charge for the creation of the plan.  Jim and Desiree will contribute to the process.  Jim agreed to create a list of action items for the plan to address.  Fred suggested starting on smaller scale projects that would build up to a larger plan.  He suggested starting with the roof at the Middle School and building off the success.
  • Roof at Newtown Middle School-  NMS needs a new roof and scheduled for replacement next summer.  Dan and Fred will talk to Solar Committee in Oxford, CT about how their project went.  Fred will talk to Bob Mitchell on PBSC to discuss the roof at NMS.
  • Grants-   Kathy will call Bob Wall at the Clean Energy Fund
  • Committee Outreach/Marketing-  Desiree and Dan were interviewed for an article in Newtown Patch.  The group agreed that marketing is key in the success of the group and that they must reach out more to the community.  The group has a facebook page.
New Business
  • Town Christmas Tree Lighting-  Ted will talk to Parks and Recreation about the potential for using LED lights this year.  
  • Book Distribution-  Ted donated books that he obtained that discuss going green.
~~Next Meeting Date:
  • The Sustainable Energy Commission will meet again on, November 18, 2010 @ 7:30 PM

~~Sustainable Energy Commission meeting was adjourned at 9:28 PM by Kathy Quinn and Second by Ted Kreinik.
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Respectfully Submitted by Allison Sharlow, Clerk.