Town of Newtown, CT
2-16-2012
The Sustainable Energy Commission held a regular meeting Thursday, February 16, 2012 in shared meeting room 3 of the Municipal Center located at 3 Primrose Street, Newtown, CT 06470.
The meeting was called to order by chairman, Kathy Quinn at 7:10 pm.
Present: Chairman, Kathy Quinn, Fred Hurley, Barbara Toomey, Joseph Borst, Dan Holmes
Absent: Sarah Hemingway, Benjamin Roberts, Desiree Galassi,
Communications:
Ms. Quinn shared an article with the commission about a bio – diesel plant being built in Bridgeport. It will focus on processing cooking oil. The article stated the plant can produce three million gallons of bio – diesel a year.
Mr. Borst mentioned an article he read in Voices about a company based out of Morris, Connecticut that is going green and producing windmills and efficient lighting systems.
Mr. Holmes spoke of the Victory Garden and that they are probably going to be adding fruit trees this year. All of the food from the Victory Garden goes to the food pantry and Social Services. The Kick – Off for the Victory Garden will be held on Wednesday, February 29 at the Municipal Center.
Acceptance of November, December, and January Minutes:
Mr. Borst made a motion to accept the minutes of the November 17, 2011 meeting minutes as submitted. Mr. Holmes seconded the motion which carried unanimously.
Mr. Borst made a motion to accept the minutes of the December 15, 2011 meeting minutes as submitted. Ms. Toomey seconded the motion which carried unanimously.
Mr. Borst made a motion to accept the minutes of the January 19, 2012 meeting minutes with the amendment of changing Z Rack to ZREC. Mr. Holmes seconded the motion which carried unanimously.
Public Comments:
No Public Comments at this time.
Old Business:
Transition Movement
Ms. Toomey stated there will be an organizational meeting with anyone interested in helping to plan the Transition Movement on March 2, 2012 from 5 – 7 pm in the Parks and Recreation conference room.
Earth Day
Mr. Holmes informed the commission that the Earth Day celebration will take place on April 28 from 10 am to 4 pm at the Middle School. There are many organizations showing interest in participating, they have already had a few confirmations for participation. WPKN has offered to do a live broadcast throughout the entire event. This radio station is based out of Bridgeport.
ESCO
Mr. Hurley said they are currently in the RFP process and at the first mandatory meeting there were 7 responders. Next week the responders will be looking at three buildings in town to get an idea of how to build their proposals for the 11 buildings involved. The RFPs need to be returned by March 26. Mr. Hurley stated there is a review panel who will decide which RFP has the best value and may narrow the selection down to interview or ask for an oral presentation from the final group of responders. The panel is hoping to have an organization on board by April or May, definitely by the end of June which is when the grant ends.
Solar Panels
Mr. Hurley is working on an RFP to hopefully get out next week for the Reed School, Middle School, and possibly another facility in town. The electricity contract for the schools has enough flexibility in it so it will not conflict with the solar energy. Mr. Hurley is working on getting a hold of the schematic for the Middle School to see which sections will be able to accept solar power. The High School is not set – up for solar panels at this time. The solar panels that may be installed will more than likely be ground based, it is an easier build for the solar vendors.
The program will be looking at a PPA to pre - purchase ZREC (renewable energy credits). The program is a lease with restrictions, there may be buy – out provisions at the end of the lease. The credits would be non – transferable.
Another potential site could be the transfer station but the hill grade could pose a potential problem for the angle of the sun.
The RFP will go out next week and Mr. Hurley is setting a deadline for April 1 to have them returned. It will be a quick process. No money will be laid out, the payment is coming from an existing account.
Water Treatment Plant
Mr. Hurley stated the gate has been cut in and the fence is being worked on. They will be focusing on building in access road first and then they will need to strip away the top soil and cart it away. They are hoping to have it up and running by May, June at the latest.
Home Energy
Ms. Quinn stated she is going to gear the Home Energy solutions towards Earth Day.
New Business:
Ms. Galassi was sworn back in as a commission member.
Adjournment:
Mr. Borst made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:46 pm. The motion was seconded by Mr. Holmes. The motion was carried unanimously.
The next regular meeting will occur on Thursday, March 15, 2012 at 7:00 pm at the Newtown Municipal Center in Shared Meeting Room 3.
Submitted, Jessica Smith, clerk.
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